Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-22
NOTABLE DIPLOMATIC MOVE.
Proposed Combine TO Maintain tn,
Open Door in China.
INDIANAPOLIS Journal.

Proposed Combine TO Maintain the
Open Door in China.
Indianapolis Journal.
A Washington dispatch says that the re-
plies OF the European nations interested in
China to the recent request of the United
States for a formal agreement to preserve
the open door in the east are not expected
for some time yet, as the exchange of COM
muucations on the subject is not taking
place in Washington, but at the various
European capitals. Previous dispatches have
| stated that keen interest is manifested
throughout diplomatic circles in the Ameri-
can move and in the replies which are like
ly to be ELECTED by the American inquiry.
The scope of the inquiry seems to have been
misunderstood in some quarters. 1t has been
stated that it was intended to obtain from
European nations a declaration in writing
for the preservation of the integrity OF the
Chinese empire, or at least against its dis
memberment by European powers. That is
mistake, and it would have been a great
diplomatic mistake on the part of the United
States to have asked for such an assurance.
Such request would have been more
marked interference by this government in
European and eastern affairs than any
thing it has ever done and would probably
an attempt to dictate their policy in regard
to matter which does not directly con-
cern the United States. The only interest
this country has in China is the preserva-
tion and extension of American trade. 1t Is
not concerned in maintaining the solidarity
OF the Chinese empire. 1t does not own nor
desire any territory in China, and has no
particular interest in preventing European
powers from acquiring possessions there
provided they do not close the door against
American trade All the United States de-
sires Is to maintain the open door for trade
and this is the point to which its recent
inquiry was directed. 1t did not seek to
dictate the policy of European nations to-
ward China nor to make any new departure
in international relations. All 1t asked was
a definite statement in writing of assur-
ances which have already been given from
time to time informally by Great Britain,
Russia and Germany that whatever their
policy in China might be now or in the
future they had no intention OF interfering
with American trade. With the plans of
territorial acquisition in China that the
European powers may have the United
States has nothing to do but 1t has a right
to assume that the verbal statements made
from time to time that the way for Ameri-
can trade in China shall be kept open be
given in a form that will show they mean
what they say.
In this view of the case the request was
fine stroke of diplomacy, and while It
does not commit the United States to any
policy regarding the maintenance OF the in
tegrity Of the Chinese empire, 1t is likely
to have distinct influence in that direction.
The four European nations that are trying
to obtain or extend territorial possessions
in China are Russia, Great Britain, Ger
many and France. Russia has repeatedly
declared that she is in favor OF the open
door, commercially speaking, and especially
has no intention of interfering with
American trade. Great Britain is the origl-
nator of the open-door policy and OF the
phrase itself. Germany is courting closer re-
lations with both Great Britain and the