The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-27
CHINESE POSITION.
A Treaty as 0ullined.from London Can
Hardly Be Formulated.
UNITED STATES CAN NOT SIGN
Without the Consent Of the Senate and
that Body Wouldn't Agree.
OPPOSED TO FOREIGN ENTANGLEMENTS
,;5 ga
I'm srable tlem,nt" of the Amer
I People, Ii is admitted.
CHINESE MINISTER EXPRESSES HIMSELF
Compares the Powers, Indirectly. to
Band of RObbers-Comm ents of
OPPOSED TO FOREIGN ENHANCEMENT,
TIN arable Elem'nt" Of The Amer
! People, II is admitted.
CHINESE MINISTER EXPRESSES HIMSELF
Compares the Powers, Indirectly. to
Band of Robbers-Comm OF
the Diplomats on the Subject.

Washington. November 6.--ln official and
d ponatic quarters much interest was mani
Tested today in the plan put forth in London
cables of treaty among the great powers
defining spheres of influence In China That
anything in tho shape of formal treaty is
to be made between the powers Interested in
the future OF China us the outcome of nego-
t!ations now in progress is not believed here.
though an understanding of n less formal
nature is possible. The negotiations followed
the frank request of Secretary Hay on some
Of the governments which had already given
him verbal and informal assurance of the
continuation Of all our treaty rights in Chi
nese territory to have these agreements re-
duced to form. 1t was not regarded as nee
essary to go beyond that point, and althoush
1t frequently occurs as the result Of initint-
ing negotiations that the scope OF them is
broadenei far beyond anything originally in
contemplation, 1t is believed that such will
not be the case now, and that there will be
no necessity for general and formal treaty.
1t would be extremely difficult to frame any
such convention SO as to secure the approval
of the United States senate without pro-
tracted struggle that might disclose disagree
and. besides. the effort would be sure to
arouse opposition from the considerable Gle
ment in the United States which is unal-
terably opposed to any sort OF foreign en-
tanslements. OF course this statement ap-
plies only to the United states, and there
could be no objection on our part to tho
other powers Joining in treaty covering for
eign rights In China, provided there was
nothing obnoxious to our Just and proper
claims.
On the whole having IN view tho highly
satisfactory utterances In the French cham
Der yesterday OF NJ. Delcasse, tho Frcnch
minister OF foreign affairs, respect ting the
maintenance OF the open door" in China.
there is felt in official quarters to be reason
for expecting n successful outcome of the
negotiations on this subject opened by the
United States. At some Of these foreign es-.
Establishments the proposition was considered
"feeler." resulting from the recent In
quiries made by the American government
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 by
Russia and Great Britain, whero the sphere
of influence would be defined.
The Chinese legation views the proposition
as purely conjectural and the Chinese min
,ster, Mr.. WI Ting Fand. when his attention
was directed to the matter, regarded it ms
preposterous.
..Thls is about tho most refreshing sug-
restion we have had of late" remarked MIR.
WI what? Can 1t be seriously proposed
that document shall be formally drawn
up concerning interests in China and China
shall NOT he n marty TO IL?
1T can not have escaped attention tina,
China is sovereign nation 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 ana
self.respectipg powers would give countenance
TO n plan such as is outlined 1t is as though
a rarity of your neighbors met and agreed how
they should occupy your house. One would
tske the front door, another would select the
side door others would appropriate certain
rooms. And all this without consulting you,
NJ