The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-10
MYSTERY H|N|ED At
In a London Cable Exe:ites
Wonder in Washington
EUROPEAN POWERS ASKED
For a PIaIB Eyes" or mo" as
to China, but That's All.

Washington. Nov. s.-OHcials here at at
a loss to know what is meant by the
mysterious London di spatch relating to
Anglo-American Chinese relations OF such
a startling character that the news could
not be published. 1t is st ated that there
is nothing exciting in this line at pres
ent between Great Britain a I'D the United
States that can be said to be of sensa-
tionaI character. The government is not
;averse to having 1t known. broadly, that
it has been steadily engaged in negotia-
tons for months looking 10 the mainten-
ance of whatever trade rights wernow en-
Joy in Chin csc ports. Officials do'not care
to go into details while the negotiations
are still in progress, but il is expected
that the subject will be made the basis
of a sepcial message to congress by the
PRECEDENT. 1t is said our government is
not likely to ENCOUNTER any serious oppo-
sition to what it regards as its perfectly
reasonable effort o secure from the Eu-
ropean powers int rested formal assur-
ances in the confirm 1tion OF verbal state
rnents already made that the way FOR
American trade in nina VIII be Kept
open in the event of "a retention OF the
existing concessions and leaseholds.
Nothing has been heard from France on
this subject as yet, thoug n 1t is assumed
that the returning ambess ador, M Cam
bon, will bear some instrn ctions on the
subject.
The Chinese government, h1rough MIN
lister WI Ting Fang, is keeping watch-
full eye on the recent deveIopIEat 'nts relat-
ing to China. Within the lasrt&ew days
he saw Secretary Hay with a $tiew to
learning to what extent the Umted
States had acted. The response" OF the
secretary of state Is said 10 have bt'en
quite full and frank and TO the effect that
at the request of the president our am
bassadors and ministers abroad had BEEN
asked to secure definite assurances that
there should be no interruption to the ac-
cess of American trade and commerce to
the interior of China through the treaty
ports. Such assurances had been given
from time to time, in somewhat inform lal
which foreign powers assumed control of
ports on the China coast, but,the purpd 'e
of this request was TO have the assut
ances take definite tangible, written form
so as to leave no room for doubt that
the future commerce of the United States
in the Orient would meet no foreign bar,
riers. 1t can be stated positively that thei
recent move Of the United States was not
the result of any understanding or ar
rangement with the Chinese minister and
so far as known the Chinese authorities
were not consulted. Whether 1t would be4
regarded favorabIy by China depends, in
the judgment of Minister WI, on subse-
quent developments.
Through diplomatic circles keen interest
is manifested in the American move and
in the replies which are likely 10 be clio
tied from the American inquiry abroad.
The view prevails that while there wiz
be no difficulty in securing general as
surance of a favorable character, 1t IS not
so certain thar definite statement in
writing or tangible form viii 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 It 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 Determinations against
foreign goods. From this it is implied
that France will not give written assur-
ance that American commerce will be on
equal terms in those parts of China
where French spheres of influence pre-
vail
London, Nov. s.-The Morning Post
publishes the following dispatch from !
Washington: Negotiations in London
have resulted in an agreement between !
Great Britain, China and the United |
States to maintain the open door in China |
which power will undertake to develop !
both British and American trade It Is
understood that Germany and probably
Russia will give the United States writ
ten assurances as to the maintenance Of !