The Portland daily press., 1899-11-09
Effort To Secure Writ
ten Guarantees.
Not Certain That This VIII BE
Possible.

Washington, Novemuor
here are ut loss to know what was
meant by the mysterious London despatch
relative to Anglo-American Chinese rela-
tions OF such startling character that
the news could not be published. 1t ID
stated that there is nothing under con-
alteration In this line ct present bstwesu
q rsat Britain ami the United States that
can be said to be Sensational. 1he govern
ment Is not avsrse to having IT known
broadly that II has hsen steadily engaged
Tor months in negotiations looking to the
maintenance Of whatever trade rights We
now enjoy in Chinese ports. Officials do
not care to 60 into details while the uego.
tiations are still In progress. but 1t 10 ex-
pectei that the subject will te made the
basis of q special message to Congress BY
the President. 1t Is gathered that our
government Ia not likely to encounter any
serious opposition to what 1t regards as
Its perfectly reasonable 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 concessions and lease holds
Nothins has been helrd from France on
this subject a. yet, though 1t is assumed
that the returning ambassador. III. Cam
bon, will bear some Instructions on the
subject.
The Chinese government through Min
lister WI Ting Fang, Is keeping a watch
full eye on the recent developments rslat-
ing to China. Within the last few dsys
the minister saw Secrstary Hay with q
view to learning to what extent the
United States had acted.
The response of the Secretary Of State
is understood to be quite full and frank
and to the effect that. ut the request of
ths President, our ambassadors and min
listers abroad had been asked to secure de-
fiuite assur ances that there should be nc
interruption to the access Of American
trade and commerce to the interior oi
China through the treaty ports.
Such assurances had been given from
time to time, In somewhat informal man.
uer as parts OF the manifsstos by which
foreign powers assumed control Of ports
on the China coast, but the purpose Of this
request was TO have the assurances take
definite, tangible, written form, 20 ~ to
leave no room for doubt that the future
commerce of the United States In the
Orient would meet no unforeseen barri.
ers.
1t can be stated positively that the re-.
cent move of the United States was NOT
the result of any understanding or agr ee-
ment with the Chinese minister, and 50
far as 10 known, here, the Chinese au'
thorities were not consulted. Whether II
would be regarded favorabiy by China
depends, in the Judgement of Minister
WI Ting Fang on subsequent develop
ments Throughout diplomstio circles
keen Interest 10 manifested In the Ameri-
can move and In the replies which ART
likely TO be elioitsd from the American
inquiry abroad. The view prevails that
while there will be no difficulty In secur-
ing general assurances OF o favorable
character 1t Is not SO certain tn at a
definite statement In writing or other
tangible form will te Riven.. These hest
acquainted with the subject, hold that
Great Britaip, Germany and Russia Will
coincide with the American view and
that If any objsotion comes 1t is likely to
arise in France as the French policy In
Madagascar and Cochin. China 10 to give
preferential rates to French goods and
make discrimination against foreign
powers. From this is is implied that
France will give definite assurance that
American commerce will be on equal