The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-11
THE OPEN DOOR.
As Against Spheres of Influence Dis
cassed by Lord Beresford.

San Francisco, Gala, Feb. 1.-THE
new japanese liner America Maru ar
rived here from China and Japan, via
Honolulu, one day ahead of time. On
board the vessel was Lord Charles
Beresford, admiral of the British navy.
The America Maru was met at the
heads by a government tug boat bear
ing a party of distinguished citizens
who went to welcome the visiting ad-
miral who comes to this country in a
three fold capacity, viz: AS a British
and a commissioner from the associated
chambers of commerce of England.
The party landed before the vessel
was locked by special permission and
the admiral was driven to the Palace
hotel.
Lord Beresford's proposal of IAN open
door policy in the Orient has been re-
ceived with great attention throughout
the world and it will likely play a most
prominent part in the settlement of the
far question In an interview today
Lord BereSfOrd said
IL means simply that instead of
spheres of influence which means the
breaking up of the Chinese empire, that
England, America, Germany and Japan
equal commercial relations for all in the
Orient. 1t includes the reorganization
of the Chinese army, differed both as
to commissioned and on-commiSsioned
officers by Europeans; that the Chinese
empire may be properly pOliced and life
and property made safe. AS it is now,
mobs and rebellions are liable at any
time to destroy both life and property
. about six million taels worth of property
belonging to the French mission in
western China was destroyed.
China must have a revenue and the
open door policy, by guaranteeing order
and uniformity in customs, regulations
and tariffs will provide it in greater
vided before, besides insuring that it
shall not be wasted as it is now. 1t
will mean the opening up of the empire
in all tbs provinces and the development
of it's wonderful resources of mining and
commerce. The returns from conces-
sions of these natural resources now
lying idle will be a source Of great reve-
nue. to the empire.
IF the spheres of influence policy is
allowed to be adopted Russia will, of
course, become all powerful in the
north, France in the south. Germany
will get what she can, while America
think she is destined to be a great trad
ing nation in the Orient, greater than
Great Britain or any other country, her
interests now are comparatively slight
and in the scramble it is not likely that
the American people would feel their in
tereStS demanded struggle for a
portion of it at this time. But with the
open door equal opportunity for all ma
lions her commerce is bound to grow.
with the spheres of influence, of course,
Russia would put on preferential tar
1ffS IN the regions Sne dominated ana
France would do the same in her terri
tory. I do not know whether Germany
and England would or not. Thus Amer
lea would be cut out altogether, or prac-
tically so, from the China trade, and
England from all but that which she
dominated. So that America really has
more interest in the open door than
England has.
II go from here to Chicago. New York
and Washington to get the sentiments
of the boards of trade and chambers of
commence there on the proposal
Lord Beresford will remain here for
some time and many receptions have
been planned for his entertainment.
On next Monday the chamber of COM
mcrce will give the distinguished gen.
tleman a reception and he probably will
be invited to give his views on some of
the questions of the day, particularly of
the condition of commerce in the far
east and the opportunity for investment
of American money. Mayor Phelan will
deliver the address of welcome and
other we'll known San F'ranciScoans will
sneak