The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-11-08
APPEAL TO UNITED STATES
CHINA PROTESTS AGAINST PAR
TITIONING OF EMPIRE.
Demand to Be Made of European
Nations That American Commerce
Shall Be Respected.

| New York, Nov. "A special to the
Herald from Washington says: The
United States was recently approached
by WI Ting Fang. Chinese minister
here and requested to give China it's
moral support in opposition to the par
titioning of the Chinese empire. This
government declined to give any such
assurance.
1t would not be surprising, in view
of the request made by this government
for written assurances by foreign pow
ers respecting the freedom of American
commerce, if the Chinese minister
should ask the United States for a
written guarantee that il will not oc-
cupy Chinese territory. A diplomat
who is well acquainted with the Chinese
question said the request of the United
States might be construed either as
favorable or unfavorable to the Pekin
government.
WI Ting Fang regards the action as
favorable, but the diplomat suggested
that the foreign office at Pekin might
regard it as simply binding this adj
ministration and future administra
tions. carrying out the expansion pol
icy of President Mckinley might deem
it proper in the interest of American
trade to acquire territory in China
1t appreciated that this adminiStra-
ton has no intention of acquiring a
Sphere of influence in China Should
the governments of Europe failxto give
the written assurances as explicitly as
the administration desires. this gov
eminent might consider the advisable
ity of securing a sphere of influence,
and the diplomat suggested that the
European nations DESTROYS of partition
ing China might refuse, in order to
bring the United States into the field.
to give the assurances. From present
indica lions, however. these powers will
comply with the request.
Great Britain's policy of open door"
is too we'll known for this government
TO seek any pledge from her. France
is the only power which may object to
making positive written statement of
her future treatment of foreign trade
in her sphere of influence in the south
of China. Russia may limit her guar
antee to Ta-Lien-Wan and not agree
to us extension over the whole of Man
churia The authorities are hopeful,
however, that she will not limit her
guarantee.
Before requesting the powers to give
written guarantees the government OBJ
tanned verbal assurances that the
treaties of the United States with China
ply desires that these assurances be
placed in writing SO that they may be
binding in the future
The authorities are confident that
the bare announcement of the attitude
of this government that its CONNER
cial rights must be respected Will have
an excellent effect in the preservation
of the integrity of China. The knowl- |
edge that Japan proposes to send a /
similar note to the powers makes it all
the more certain that no restrictions |
upon foreign trade will occur, especial |,
ly as Great Britain stands forth for |
the same principle.
Italy has for the present given up |
pressing China to cede to her San Nun !
bay, although she has not withdrawn |
her demand and is now asking for |
and other concessions in the |
of that harbor. The Chinese
has steadily declined to |
grant any such concessions. and pur-
poses to persist in its declination, no
matter what force Italy may bring |
into Asiatic waters.
The Chinese government is of the
opinion that Italy. in assembling a |
fleet in the Pacific. is merely playing a
game of bluff. 1t is said that no at
tention will be paid to any demonstra-
ton. though ii is known that none of |
the foreign powers will interfere with
Italy's purpose. A different policy may
be pursued, however, should Italy
force China into war and attempt to
seize territory. which. in case of sue
cess, would be hers by right of con-
quest. and consequently would enable
ler to place restrictions upon foreign
.rade.