The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-09
TRADE RIGHTS IN CHINA.
GOVERNMENT DETERMINED THAT
THEY SHALL BE NAINTAINED.
Has Asked Categorical Statements
In Writing From Countries Hav-
ing Concessions There That Amer

WASHINGTON. Nov. s.-Officials here
are a. a loss 10 know wha, was meant by
the mysterious London dispatch relating Ia
Angl0-AnleTican Chinese relations o. suca
a startling character that the news could
no. be published. IL IS stated that there
is nothing exciting in this line AZ present
between Grast Britain and the United
States that can be said 70 be CT sensation
a. character.
The government IL not averse 10 having
4; known broadly that IL has been stea3.l ~
engaged in negotiations for months looking
10 The maintenance OF whatever trade rig IS
we now enjoy in Chinese ports. OHciais
90 not care 10 go into details, While the
negotiations are sill III progress, but X Is
expected the subject Will be made the basis
OF a special message TO congress by the
president. It is said our government Is net
likely 70 encounter any serious opposition
to what Il regards as lis perfectly reasona-
be effort TO secure from the European
powers interested formal assurances in con-
firrnation Of verbal statements already
made that the way for American trade In
China will be kept open In the event OF a
retention OF the excessive Concessions ana
lease holds. Nothing has been heard from
France on this subject as Yet, though it IS
assumed that the returning ambassador, NJ.
Cambon, will bear some ms Iuctions en- he
subject
The Chinese government. through Min
lister Wa Ting Fang. is keeping a watch
full eye on the recent developments reIat-
ing to China Within the last few days
he saw Secretary Hay with view 10
learning to what extent the United states
had acted The response Of the secretary
Of state is said TO have been quite full and
frank and to the effect that a; the reques;
Of the president our ambassadors and
ministers abroad had been asked to secure
definite assurances that there should be no
interruption 10 the access or American
trade and commerce in the interior Of chi
ma through the treaty ports sucn aSs0F-
ances had been given from time 10 I'm
in somewhat informal manner. as parts
Of The nnanifestos by which foreign powers
assumed control Of ports on the china
coast but the purpose OF this request was
10 have the assurances take tangible. deh-
mite written form, SO as TO leave no room
for doubt that the future commerce or the
United States in the Orient would meet
TO Unforeseen barriers.
II can be stated positively that the
cent move of the United States was not
the result Of any understanding or agree
r1cnt with the Chinese minister here, 80
far as is known The Chinese authorities
were not consulted. whether 4 would be
regarded favorably by Chira depends in
the Judgment Of Minister WI, on subse-
Queut developments.
throughout diplomatic circles keen in
terest f. manifested In the American move
and in the replies which, are likely 10 ha
elected from tho American inquiry abroad.
The view prevails that while there viii Re
no difficulty IN securing general assur-
ances OF a favorable character. Ii is not so
certain that a definite statement In writ
Ing or tangible form will he given. Those
best acquainted with :he subject hold that
=.
coincide with the American view, AMI that
II any objection comes IL IS likely TO arise
In France as the Frepch policy in NADIA
gasCar and Cochin China is 70 give prefer
entail rates 10 French goods and make dis
examinations against foreign goods. From
this IL is implied that France viii not be
en- equal terms In those parts Of China
where French spheres q influence prevail.