The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-05-15
OPEN DOOR IN CHINA.
ANGLO-SAxON COMMERCE AND
TRADE IN THE ORIENT.
Lord Charles Beresford's Report to
the Associated Chambers of
Commerce of Great Britain.

In February of this year the distin-
guished British nobleman and Member
of Parliament, Admiral Lord Charles
Beresford, passed through the United
States on his way from China to En-
gland. He had been studying the ques-
tons of Commerce and Trade of Great
Britain and the whole Anglo-Saxon
race with China, at the request of the
Associated Chambers of Commerce of
Great Britain. He landed in San Fran
cisco on the 10th of February, and
sailed from New York on the Sd of
March. During this short months stay
in this country he was entertained by
the Chambers of Commerce and the
commercial clubs of San Francisco,
Chicago, Buffalo and New York, and
was invited to visit most of the impor-
tant cities of this country by the bust
ness men of these commercial centers.
His limited time, however, prevented
this.
Since his return to England he has
been employed upon the work of draw
ing up his report to the Associated
Chambers of Commerce, and this work
is just now published under the title or
THE Breakup of China" in one vol
ume, by Messrs. Harper & Bros With
out question, this book marks a new
epoch in the much discussed question
of trade in the Far East because for
the first time the people of the United
States have set before them calm,
straightforward statement of the situa-
ton in the East to-day of the difficult
ties that beset the foreign merchant in
China, and of the close connection that
exists there between diplomatic and po-
litical affairs.
Lord Beresford visited the principal
cities along the Chinese coast. In al
most every instance he was received
by the Viceroy of the province, who
not only expressed his opinion on COM
mercial and political matters, but al
most invariably allowed the British
Admiral to visit the arsenals, navy
yards and barracks of the Chinese
troops, and requested him to write his
opinion of the condition of the army
and navy The author, after making
inquiries, receiving opinions, and talk
ing with British, American and German
merchants in the different cities, Is or
the opinion that unless the policy OF
1.-The Open Door" is enforced in CHINA
in the near future, it is more than prob
able that the Chinese Empire Will be
completely broken up and partitioned
among the European Powers. The
Sphere Influence" method of parti-
tioning China is, in his opinion, dan
gerous since it constantly causes inter-
national complications. which disturb
trade. To-day France, Germany and
Russia are all in possession of certain
portions of the Chinese Empire, each of
which portion is under what is called
the Influence of it's Government-that
it, trade with that particular territory
is limited to Frenchmen, Germans, or
Russians. as the case may be. If this
policy is enlarged, there are many diff
ficulties likely to follow, not the least Of
which will be strained relations between
the European Powers, not only in re-
gard to commerce and trade, but in the
matters of boundaries and of govern
ment On the other hand, if the in
tegrity of the Chinese Empire is main
tanned, and the entire country thrown
open to the trade of all nations, the re-
sources of China are likely to benefit
the whole world
The authors recommendation is.
therefore, that some method be adopted
by which the Chinese army shall be or
ganized under one head, drilled and
trained by European officers, and fitted
to maintain order and protect personal
property and life, whether of foreigners
or natives, within the Empire, and that
the merchants of any or all nations be
allowed equal rights to carry on COM
merce and trade with all others as in
the civilized countries of the earth. He
sees less need for the increase and
training of the navy, as the difficulties
and hinderances to commerce in China
to-day are internal rather. than external.
These hinderanceS are classified by the
reports received from Chinese officials
and foreign residents under the general
heads of antiquated Chinese systems of
duties and tolls exacted on all the rivers,
running from one province to another,
and along the coast; the extraordinary
amount of piracy which fourishes on
all the waterways; the difficulty of re-
ceiving fair treatment at the hands of
the Chinese inhabitants, who distrust
any plans for increasing trade; and
the political complications arising from
the control of special territories by Eu-
L
stance, the Viceroy, Lu Kwen Vi gave
the following reasons for the difficulty
of trade under the present situation,
and the probability of disturbances in
the future:
l. That the likin collectorates had
been taken away from the finances nee
essary for provincial administration
and We're now devoted to paying the in.
terests on foreign loan; further taxa.
ton would be necessary to carry on the
Government
. That the people were annoyed a.
their taxes being paid to the foreigner
g. Because it was necessary to reducs
his military forces owing to want ot
money.
He added that there was a very largt
number of poor and homeless refugee.
coming into his province from tbs
northern part Of Kiang-Su, flooded on
by the yellow River, and that he hac
not enough troops to maintain orde
among them
In Canton the Chamber of Commerc.
sent a memorandum to Lord Beresfort
expressing the views of the British firm
trading there concerning the difficultie:
Of trade. In the course of the repor
they complained of the indefiniteness o
the rules which governed the trade O
the port At present British merchant
are not allowed to sell British goods ii
the city of Canton without paying duty
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lllIl CDECEAI CAFE II|II