Smyrna times., 1899-06-07

THERE is an unquestioned interest in
the fate of China-viz; whether it shall
be gobbled up by the European cOun-
tries or not. Mr.. Barrett, our late minis
ter to Spain, made an address last week
in New York on America $ Interest in
the Far East or the partitioning of
China, and what is America going to
do about it?
The New York Tribune Ill speaking
of the address given before the cham
Der of commerce by Mr.. Barret, says:
"Now, this is the situation: We |
have vast commercial interests in |
China and a sure prospect of their
enormous increase. But they exist
only by virtue of our own treaties with
China. Various European Powers are
now engaged in the work of partition
ing China among themselves, under
the transparent guise of spheres OF in
fiuence." What is to become of our
commercial interests there? Will the
''Open door which China has granted
to us be kept open? There seems little
hope of it, unless some action is taken
to insure it. Russia, for example, for
bids Great Britain to build railroads
save the one already constructed
the Russian sphere of influence.
Would she permit Americans to build
one? Certainly not. That part of
China is for Russian exploitation alone.
Suppose all of the other Powers should
do the some i'll their spheres of in
huence. Why, then the United States
would be shut out of China. 1t would
not be permitted to build railroads or
open mines, and there would be a dis
eliminating duty against American
goods at all ports and our commercial
interests in China would be ruined.
Mr.. Barrett proposes to deal with
this situation in this fashion: First, Of
course, to push our commerce and our
political influence in China as vigor-
ously as possible; and he gave some
eminently practical hints as to the best
way of doing it. Next, to stand for
the integrity of China, and especially
in the north, where our chief interests
now lie. But if that cannot be main
tanned, and Mr.. Barrett now seems to
be hopeless of maintaining it, since in
deed the integrity of China is already
thing of the past, then American
, diplomacy must undertake the task of
, securing from the partitiOning nations
, the same rights which we now enjoy
, under our treaty with China. This, he
) admits, would be treading on doubtful
ground. Yet the alternative would bt
a the exclusion of this country from
China. Finally, if all else fails, Mr..
Barrett would acquire port in Chins
as a naval and commercial base
This would be rank imperialism,
: and would set the believers in "Lit
{ tie America" wild with rage and con
sternation. We'll, the proposal nee(
y not be debated now, because it doe
{ not appear that it will be necessary I,
o such step. 1t ought, by no means o
u vigorous work at Peking and at Othe
capitals, to be possible to secure fo
{ this country permanent open door il
Q China, especially if such work be SUI
y plemented by the construction of
United States canal across the Nicara
e qua isthmus.
But if these things are to be don
l. there must be no dillydallyine
Ie Events are moving with startling ra
$ pidity in the Far East. The change
l. of century are effected in a day. Th
Powers of Europe are busy, with a
lie their trained skill and influence, worl
III ing for our exclusion and for gainin
9r the monopoly of Chinese commerce fC
III themselves. The time to secure a
ne open door is while the door is sti
TO open. 1t will be immeasurably hard,
H. to get the door re-opened after it hi
N once been closed. And it may
e closed in our faces, with a slam, al
d day.