Evening star., 1899-11-27

The following cable dispatch from Lon
don concerning an alleged proposed treaty
among the great powers defining spheres of
influence in China is the subject of general
discussion in diplomatic circles:
Negotiations of the Powers.
LAS a result of the United States request
to the powers for assurances regarding the
maintenance of the open door in China, ne
sotiations have been entered into looking
to more permanent and important inter-
rational agreement than yet mooted.
Though the greatest official reticence is
observed at all the capitals regarding this
secret movement, there is good ground for
believing that the negotiations have reached
a hopeful stage.
According to reports current here, in
consequence of Russia and France failing
to reply satisfactorily to Washingtons re-
quest. the United States decided to take
up the Chinese question still more vigorous
ly. The cooperation of Great Britain to
this end, it is asserted, was secured, and
upon the initiative of the United States
efforts We're set on foot to secure not only
assurances to the United States, but
definite agreement between the European
powers themselves. Such an understanding,
to the average European statesman, has
long seemed UtoDian, yet today there are
fair chances of Great Britain, Russia, Ger
United States, becoming signatories to
treaty deiimitating the spheres of political
influence in China and determining their
fiscal policy in that quarter of the globe,
based on the open door principles. Such Is
the scope of the negotiations.
THE projected arrangement may be retro
active as regards territory. In other words
districts now controlled, for instance, by
Russia. may change hands in return for
other privileges. France. apparently. has
exhibited the greatest opposition 10 THIS
plan. far, but assurances have been re-
ceivef from Russia, and her apparent will
lingness TO enter into an agreement with
the United States as the leading factor has
given rise to the belief that France is not
necessarily a stumbling block, for if Russia
entered into the agreement France. 1t is
asserted. is almost bound to follow or rem
der herself powerless in the far east
4 Trirnrtite agreement.
1T is understood that the United States
Great Britain and Japan have already ar
rived at perfect understanding. Ger
many's decision was greatly influenced b.
the emperor who has had frequent confer
ences on this far eastern problem, while in
England. with Mr.. Joseph II. Cnoate, the
United States ambassador. At the queen :
banquet Mr. Choate conVersed at length
with the emperor. and, it is said. chiefly
confined himself to the question of China.
l. is scarcely probable that any Official OF
semi-officiai reference will be made to THIS
important undeTcurrent, which progresses
publicly under the guise of merely giving
assurances to the United States. until II
has assumed such shape that no hitch is
possible. In the event of the failure OF the
negotiations, through the refusal of Russia
or Germany it is likely the world will never
know how near the great powers came to
settling the greatest problem of the CEN
tury."
No Formal Treaty Expected Here.
hot irp in shane
treaty between the powers interested in the
future of China will be the outcome of the
negotiations now in progress, is not be-
Neved here, though an understanding OF q
less formal nature Is possible. These nego-
tiations followed the request Of Secretary
Hay upon some of the governments for
formal assurance of the continuation of all
our treaty rights in Chinese territory.
1t was not regarded as necessary to go
beyond that point, and 1t is believed that
there VIII be no necessity for a general
and formal treaty. 1t would be extremely
difficult to frame any such convention 50
as to secure the approval of the United
States Senate without protracted strug-
GLE and besides, the effort would be sure to
arouse opposition from the considerable ele-
ment in the United States which is unaltcr-
ably opposed to any sort of foreign entan-
clements.
View in Diplomatic Circles.
At one of the embassies 1t was pointed
out that the United States was hardly
likely to become a party defining the
spheres OF influence of other powers, while
at the same time no sphere of American
influence was defined, and up to the pres
ent time it has been definitely understood
that the United States did not seek any
sphere Of influence, but merely untrarn-
meIed entrance to all Chinese ports. AS TO
the other powers the view prevailed that
they would be quite likely to favor such a
comprehensive treaty as the one outlined in
the London dispatch, as 1t carried forward
the arrangement between Great Britain and
Russia, by which the former secured
sphere OF influence in the Yang TIE valley
and Russia directed her activities TO north
east China.
China Enters II Protest.
This Is about the most refreshing sug
gestion we have had of late" remarked
Mr. WI, the Chinese minister, referring to
the treaty plan. What, can it be seriously
proposed that document shall be formally
drawn up concerning interests in China,
and China shall not be party to it? 1t
cannot have escaped attention that China
is a sovereign nation, and when it comes
to writing treaties concerning her interests
and territory this sovereign nation is quite
likely to have considerable to say on the
subject. 1 hardly think any of the great and
self-respecting powers would give counte-
nance to plan such as is outlined. 1t is
and agreed how they would occupy your
house. One would take the front door. an
other would select the side door, others
would appropriate certain rooms. And all
this Is without consulting you, the owner
OF the house. Such a course by individuals
would seem strange, indeed, and 1t would
amount TO the same thing among nations
VI course. all things are possible and ii is
d'fncult to say how far a plan, once en-
tered upon, may proceed. While the indf-
vldual may be quite secure in his residence
1t is. OF course, always within the bounds
OF possibility that a band of robbers NAV
arrange TO enter the house and carry away
the belongings. For that reason 1t Is the
part OF wisdom for the individual to be ON
the outlook against such moves But If Is
not TO be supposed that a nation stands in
any such danger, as the great nations
would not countenance such a course. So
thdl l tne suggestions of a treaty of this
character appear to me to be entirely Wis
icnary." VII"
TURKEY FOR ADMIRAL, DEWEY
Hoface NOse of Westerly, r. L. VIII