Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-27
Action of United states In Opening Tn
Conference with European
Powers Is Considered as
"FecIcr."

agreements reduced to form. 1t was not re-
garded as necessary to go beyond that point
and although it frequently happens as the
result of Inauguration of negotiation that the
scope of them is broadened far beyond any
thing originally in contemplation, it is be-
lieved that such will not be the case now,
and that there will be no necessity for a
general and formal treaty.
1t would be extremely difficult to frame
any such convention so as to secure the ap-
proval of the United States senate, without
protracted struggle, that might display
weakness in the governments policies. and
besides the effort would be sure to arouse
opposition from the conservative element in
the United States, which is unalteraby op-
posed to any sort of foreign entanglements.
or course, this statement applies only to the
United States and there could be no objec
ton on our part to the other powers join
ing in a treaty covering foreign rights in
China provided there was nothing in the
agreement obnoxious to our just and proper
claims On the whole, having in view the
highly satisfactory utterances in the French
Chambers yesterday of NJ. Decasse, the
French minister of foreign affairs, respect
ing the maintenance Of the "open door" in
China there is felt in official quarters to
be reason for expecting a successful out
come Of the negotiations on this subject
opened by the United States.
Consider il n "Fccler."
At some of the foreign establishments the
proposition was considered a "feeler," re-
sulting from the recent Inquiries made by
the American government as to the atti-
tude of the great powers. Other influential
members of the diplomatic corps pointed out
that the plan was the logical consummation
of the scheme initiated between Russia and
Great Britain in which the spheres Of in
1uence would be defined. The Chinese lega-
tion views the proposition as purely con-
jectural and the Chinese minister, Mr.. WI
Ting Fang, when his attention was directed
to the matter, regarded it as preposterous.
This is about the most refreshing sug
gestion we have had of late" remarked
Mr.. WI What. Can it be possible that a
document shall be formally drawn up con-
interests in China and China shall
not be party to it. 1t cannot have es-
capped attention by sovereign nation and
when it comes to writing treaties concern
ing her interests this sovereign nation is
liable to have considerable to say on the
subject | hardly think any self-respecting
powers would give countenance to plan
such as is outlined. 1t is as though party
OF your nelSDDOTS met anu dsIetu HON luey
would occupy your house. One would take
the front door, another would select the
side door, others would appropriate certain
rooms. And all this without consulting
you, the owner of the house. Such a course
by individuals would seem strange, indeed;
il would amount to the same thing among
nationt. OF course all things are possible
and it is difficult to say how far plan, once
ba in
1ividual may be quite secure in his resi-
ience it is of course always within the
bounds of possibility that band of robbers
may arrange to enter the house and carry
away the belongings. For that reason it is
the part of wisdom fer the individual to he
on tho outlook against such moves But it
IS not to be supposed that a nation stands
in any such danger, as the great nations
that the suggestions of a treaty of this
character appear to me to be entirely Wis
onary."
Opinion of an Embassy.
At one OF the embassies it wan pointed
1ut that the United States was hardly likely
10 become party to a treaty defining the
spheres of influence Of other powers, while
1t the same time no sphere of American
was defined and up to the present
line it has been definitely understood that
he United States did not seek any sphere
If influence, but merely untrammeed en-
rance to all Chnese ports. AS to the other
powers the view prevailed that they would
30 quite likely to favor such a compre
lensive treaty as the one outlined in former
ldvices, as it carried forward the arrange
nent between Great Britain, by which the
'ormer secured a sphere OF influence in the
Yang tse- Kang valley and Russia directed
ler activities to northwest China.
Since returning from abroad the German
DR.. Won Holleben, has stated
hat the German policy in Kiao Chou was
that of "the open door" and
Count Casini, the Russian ambassador, has
stated the same policy as to the Ru sian !
port OF Talien Wan. Tho British position |
favorable to open ports Is well known and |
since Lord Pauncefote's return occasion |
las been taken to reiterate it. Beyond this, |
however, there has been nothing from the |
oreign representatives concerning the fu- I!
ure OF China, and without exception the !
representatives OF powers having interests |
n China state positively that no instruc-
ions have been received as to treating
with reference TO China This applies also !
o the Japanese minister and the Fren h !
,harge daffaires, who, while they have
made inquiries of the State department as !
q tho basis for current reports, have no !
n Of trun tn not