The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-08
CHINESE DELIGHT
Is Expressed Through the
Minister to the United States
Over Our Determination to
Keep Hands OFF.
ITALY is A PUZZLE.
WI Ting Fang Can't Under
stand Her Move
To Secure Concessions Where
There Are No Italians.

Washington, March S.-The Chinese min
lister, Mr. WI Ting Fang, expresses him.
self highly gradfed at the definite de-
termination of the United States to keep
hands off of China and to resist the in
timations of other powers that the time is
ripe for this country to take for itself
part of the coast line of China, as made
known by an authorized statement given
out yesterday
II am sure the Chinese government and
people will not fail to observe this strong
day TT is not only another bond be-
tween the two countries, but II mas a sP Pc
world powers seemed moved by rapacity,
the United States takes the lofty position
of equity. justice and humanity, which
has characterized her dealings with other
of Joining in encroachments on China, as
SuneS attitude of strict neutrality
terday with Secretary Hay as to the sit
uation in China. While he will not dis
ed in an official way what was made
known to the republic later in the day,
Pekin. It is expected that the position of
the United States in refusing to Seize any
on affairs in China; Strengthening the
Speaking of Iralys action in seeking an
''open door on the Chinese coast by the
he was much surprised at this move, as
Italy has practically no trade with China.
two or three Italians in China; that there
are no Italian commercial houses that he
Under such circumstances the minister
IS inclined to believe that Italy would not
have acted until some of the other powers
had been sounded What China will do
as to accepting or rejecting the Italian
claims Mr.. WI has not been advised Of
ficially. He says, however, that the re-
turned the Italian request should not be
construed to mean that any summary
course has been adopted All this in
formation indicates that the return of the
request was in offensive spirit, but was
merely to explain the difficulties of COM
plying with such a request.
Mr.. WI points out that China continues
to have a great stretch of coast, with
number of large ports, including Canton
and some twenty-five treaty ports. through
which the commerce Of the world can
flow unfnterruptedly. The Russian port
at Port Arthur and that of the British a
Wei Hal Wei are more particularly naval
man port, is better adapted for CONNER
cial as well as naval uses. although Mr..
open door policy is to be maintained by
the Germans at Kioa Chou, so that all
countries will share alike in it's advant-
try of goods would relate only to Kioa
Chou and its hinterland. and that when
these goods passed into China the Chinese
The recent visit of Admiral Lord Beres-
ford afforded an opportunity for exchange
OF views between him and Count Cassini,
the Russian am AMBASSADOR, and Mr.. WI, all
of whom are intimately familiar with the
large questions engrOSSing China Lord
BereSford had conferred with officials of
TOyS and leaders. The result of all this
study of the Chinese question was summed
that Great Britain. Germany, the United
States and Japan, having the bulk of COM
1nerce and interest in China, should unite
70 protect these interests by insuring
China stable government free from con-
@tant haraSSment-
Mr.. WI does not commit himself on the