The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-11-27
DISCUSSION OF
The OPEN DOOR
TO CHINA
Proposed Treaty Of Powers Excites
Much Comment in DiPlo-
matte Circles.
A REFRESHING SUGGESTION.
Chinese Minister Thinks China
would Have Something to Say
On That Point.


ty among the great powers defining
spheres of influence in China. That
anything in the shape Of formal treaty
is to be made between the powers In
terested in the future of China as the
outcome Of the negotiations now in pro-
gress, is not believed here, though an
understanding Of a less formal nature
is possible. These negotiations follow
ed the frank request Of Secretary Hay
upon some of the governments which
had already given him verbal and in
formal insurance Of the continuation OF
all our treaty rights in Chinese terri
tory to have these agreements reduced
to form. It was not regarded as neces-
sary to go beyond that point, and al
though 1t frequently happens as the re-
suit Of Initiating negotiations that the
scope Of them is broadened far beyond
anything originally in contemplation, It
is believed that such will not be the
case now and that there viii be no nee
essity for general and formal treaty.
It would be extremely difficult to frame
any such convention go as to secure the
approval OF the United States senate
without a protracted struggle, that
might disclose dIsagreeable weaknesses
In the governments policies; and be-
sides, the effort would be sure to arouse
opposition from the considerable ele-
ment in the United States which IS un-
alterably opposed to any sort Of foreign
entanglements. OF course this state
ment applies only to the United States
and there could be no objection on. our
part to the other powers joining 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 utternnces
in the French chambers. yesterday, Of
NJ. Delcasse the French minister OF
foreign affairs, respecting the mainten-
ance Of the open door" In China, there
is felt in official quarters to be reason
for expecting a successful outcome of
the negotiations on this subject opened
by the United States.
AT some OF the foreign establish
ments, the proposition was considered
"feeler" resulting from the recent In
qulrles made by the American govern
ment as to the attitude Of the great
powers. other influential members Of
the diplomatic corps pointed out that
the plan was the logical contamination
Of the scheme initiated between Rus
sia and Great Britain where spheres of
influence would be defined. The Chi
nese legation views the proposition as
purely conIectural 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
suggestion we have had Of late" re-
marked Mr. WI. What. can 1t be SER
lously proposed that a document shall
be formally drawn up concerning in
terests In China and China shall not be
party to it? 1t cannot have escaped
attention that China is a sovereign na-
ton, and when 1t comes to writing
treaties concerning her interests and
territory this sovereign nation is quite
likely to have considerable to say on
the subject / hardly think any Of the
great and selt-respectIng powers would
give countenunce to plan. such as Is
outlined. 1t is as though a party OF
our neiEhbors met and agreed how they
would occupy your house. one would
take the front door. another would Sc
lect the side door. others would appro-
pirate certain rooms. And all this
without consulting the owner OF the
house. Such n course by individuals
would seem strange indeed. and 1t
would amount to the same thing among
nations. OF course, all things are pos
sible, and 1t is difficult to say how far
plan, once entered upon, may pro-
coed. While the Individual may be
quite secure In his residence. 1t 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 ia the part of wisdom for the indlvid-
ual to be on the outlook against such
moves. But 1t is not to be supposed
that a nation stands in any such dan
ger, rs the great nations would not
counteRance such course. So that the
suggestions Of a treaty OF this charnc-
ter appear to me to be entirely vision
ary."
At one of the embassies 1t was point
ed out that the United States was hard
ly likely to become a party to a treaty
defining tho spheres OF Influence OF
other powers, while at the same time no
sphere of American influence was de-
fined, and up to the present time 1t has
been definitely understood that the
United States did not seek any sphere
Of influence, but merely untrammelcd
entrance to all Chinese ports As to
the other powers, the view prevailed
that they would be quite likely to favor
such comprehensive treaty as the one
outlined Ia the London advices, as It
carried forward the arrangement be-
tween Grent Britain and Russia, by
which the former secured q sphere Of