The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-11-09
INSISTING UPON
THE "OPEN DOOR"
Determined Attitude of
America.
OUR TRADE MUST NOT SUFFER
TEXT OF DEMANDS MADE TO
FOREIGN POWERS.
United States Wants Written Pledges
That Chinese Ports Shall Be
Kept Open to American
Commerce.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9.-Officials here
are at a loss to know what was meant by
the mysterious London dispatch relating
to Anglo-American Chinese relations of
such a startling character that the news
could not be published. 1t is stated that
there is nothing in this line at present
between Great Britain and Athe United
States that can be said to be of a sensa-
tional character. The Government is not
averse to having it known broadly that
it has been steadily engaged in negotia-
tons for months looking to the mainten-
ance of whatever trade rights we now en-
JOY in Chinese ports Officials do not care
TO go into details while the negotiations
are still in progress, but it is expected
the subject will be made the basis of a
special message to Congress by the Presl-
dent. 1t is said our Government is not
likely to encounter any serious opposition
to what it regards as It's perfectly reason
able effort to secure from the European
powers interested formal assurances in
confirmation of verbal statements already
made that the way for American trade in
China will be kept open in the event of
retention of the existing conditions and
leaSeholdS. Nothing has been heard from
France on this subject as yet, though 1t
is assumed that the returning Embassa-
dor, M CambOn, will bear some instruc-
lions on the subject.
The Chinese Government, through Min
lister WI Ting Fang, is keeping d watch
full eye on the recent Developments relat-
he saw Secretary Hay, with view to
learning to what extent the United States
had acted. The response of the Secretary
of State is said to have been quite fun
and frank and to the effect that, at the
request of the President, our ambassadors
and Ministers abroad had been asked to
secure definite assurances that there
should be no interruption to the access
of American trade and commerce to the
interior of China through the treaty ports
Such assurances had been given from
ipna RI i'm n inf0rn1
manner as parts of the manifestos by
which foreign powers assumed control Of
ports on the China coast, but the purpose
of this request was to have the assur-
ances take definite, tangible written FORM
so as to leave no room for doubt that the
future commerce in the Orient would meet
no unforeseen embarrassment.
1t can be stated positively that the re-
cent move of the United States was not
the result of an understanding or agree
ment with the Chinese Minister, and, so
far as Is known here, the Chinese authort-
ties were not consulted. Whether 1t
would be regarded favOrably by China de-
ponds, in the judgment of Minister WI,
on subsequent developments.
Throughout diplomatic circles keen in
terest is manifested in the American move
and in the replies which are likely to be
abroad. The view prevails that while
there will be no difficulty in securing gen
it is not so certain that a definite state
ment in writing or tangible form will be
given.
Those best acquainted with the subject
hold that Great Britain, Germany and
Russia will coincide with the American
view and that If any objection comes 1t is
likely to arise in France, as the French
policy in Madagascar and Cochin China
| is to give preferential rates to French
goods and make discriminate tons against
! foreign goods From this 1t is implied
that France win not give a written as
surance that American commerce will be
on equal terms in those parts OF China
where French spheres of influence prevail.