The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-21
OUR INTERESTS IN CHINA.
WRITTEN PLEDGES RE9UESTED THdT
THEY VIII BE RESPECTED.
The European Governments Interested
Inquire Why We Ask for These Pledges,
md the Answer Returned Leaves no
Doubt ns to til. Attitude OF this Country.

WASHINGTON. Nov Gothic delay cx-
perienced by the state Department in re-
ceivinR responses to its request for written
guarantees from Great Britain. Germany.
France and Russia that they will not interfere
with the existing trade privileges Of the United
States In China II the threatened partition of
that empire becomes q fact. Is understood TO
be due. primarily. to diplomatic inquiries
from some. II not all. tn, European
countries concerned. with the possible
exception o! England. to know what
was meant by this Government In asking
for these pledges. In other words. not diplo-
matte. the powers Intercepted have demanded
an explanation from the American Govern
mcnt as to why II has intcrferci with and thus
become q party to the question Of
the territorial dismembcrmcnt OF China
That Is the plain English OF it.
and THE SUN IL informed that answers have
been returned by the United States In Eng
lish perhaps II little palmer. leaving no doubt
as to the attitude of this country.
The response OF the State Department 10 the
European inquiries was made week or ten
days ago. and II is understood hero that the
replies OF tho other powers will not
be delivered for at least fortnight
While the matter is in the delicate
mazcs OF diplomatic exchange, IL IL natural
tnht foreign diplomats anu Federal Ollcials
here should decline TO disclose the exact char
acter OF tho correspondence now going On.
In, enough, is known OF tho position
the assertion that this Government
has no intention. such as the Europenn gov
party to the cupidity which has been revived Ia
Continental capitals IN regard TO Chinese ter
Eiory The policy q this Go o !. 70
affects American trade interests. II desires no
Chinese territory. but is ready to Insist that tho
and confirmed hy treaty shall b. maintained:
despite any radical change In the ownership OF
part Of the Flowcry Kingdom.
Pledges that American rights IN China
becomes a. fact were asked By IN. Gov.
rights should be respected are reported to have
been given; But the ln,cd states waited
The Eur9peaS owe So o' fH hen IN" Ga%iries
as TO the Intentions ~ the lmtted States
toward China we're made The American
as to trade and commerce only was desired was
made. aud the RESPONSES from abroad to his
abatement hrc being awaited at this capital
That IL the Present situation.
One OF the most interesting features Of tho
inclined 10 grant the request, for q, written
guarantee Diplomats well informed on tho
subject say that this is so, and the Government
Is aware that such a view is prevalent in
SntasonIs,ic t. IL. Tilted STAT. IN iii. ia.
stance cxcitcs surprise here. for II was the i'm
precision that The cars Government would
-eze the opportunity OF proving that her 'radi-
tlona friendship Tor America had not changed.
There was even a suspicion that Russia wpulI
take advantage 81 the chance - b" the hrS' 10
respond favora'iy To- the request OF this Gov
ernment for political REASONS. BY so doing she
would outmnruuNre England In maui'r-'irg
fr,-ndship for the United States, making Il
appear that the favorable response o. England.
when II cHnro later, was practically forced 10y
Russia action, Another r.a'un Tor IL. i'm.
preston hero oforo prevailing that Russia
would answer !arorablv was that her national
Interests demanded n clos- trade allL1ure with
the United States. whose power 20 Increase tho
business Of The Trans-sibcri0n Railway IL very
great indeed
Despite the conviction among European
DIPLOMATS that Russia Will not give the
guarantee nsked. th" officials here hr"
believed 20 be- dsinclin"i To- regard the
Russian Government n having decided oil an
attitude that j. En' cOr,!,al. There appears Ia
hc no doubt that Great Britain Will furnish m"
desired guarantee. ttermHny's attitude -
believed to be favorable. but little Is known
nbou, II here. France Is credited with being
determined not TO CIV" any assurances, and
this lends some color 10 the uui"r-innAi
among diplomats that Russia Is likewise
' cliDCl.