The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-05
HAS AN Eye ON CHINA
ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTERS AD-
NIT THAT PRESIDENT HAS
DESIGNS IN ORIENT
AMERICA MUST HAVE A SHARE
Not to BE Permitted to Absorb All
the Trade Channels In the CeIes-
tiaI Empire European Powers
Thought to BE Favorable to Con-
ceding Share TO United States.

| WASHINGTON, Nov. 4-For the past
year, under Instructions from the presi-
dent, the state department has been OUT
! city negotiating for the contamination of
American Interests in China. The officials
of the state department fatty refuse to
make any statement relative to the meas
ure of success that has attended their
efforts, though it is admitted that the
subject, so far, is still open although
the prospects of ultimate success are
egarded as highly encouraging.
A government official in high station,
who has a large experience in Chinese
questions, is authority for the statement
that our government does not apprehend
any immediate injury to American I'm
terests from the political moves that are
being made in China On the contrary,
the conditions are such IN the Flowery
Kingdom that there is the best reason to
! believe that, so far from restraining the
operations of the United States in the
matter of trade extension in that quar-
ter, the European nations which have,
under one or another pretext seized
upon portions of the Chinese coast, would
actually welcome our advent as calcu-
lated to materially assist their own eff
forts to break down Chinese conservatism
and open UP vast markets In the interior
of China to the trade of civilized ma
tions.
SOURCE OF APPREHENSION.
The only possible source of apprehen-
sion, it is pointed out, would be some
action in the future on the part of lease
hi airrl.A
freedom Of trade, and even this probably
would be accomplished, not by direct
means such as prohibition of entry at
seaports, or discriminating duties, but
rather by VeXauous regulations and the
imposition or obstacles TO the control of
the railroads and political machinery of
the country That time, however, would
De remote, in the judgment of the speak
er.
AT present both Russia and Germany.
Whlch nave been held up as resentful of
United States trade successes in China
are on record as rather adding to the
llst OF treaty ports, and thus opening
rev doors for trade, than of endeavortno
10 close out the United States and Eng
land from the interior of China This is
notably true In the case of German con-
cesslon at kiao Chow, where the German
&uthorlties nave opened the port of Using
ana nave done everything to facilitate
the extension of trade into the fnterior
Oh the north coast Russia has done the
same th1ng at fallen Wan, and even
GRANTED Foreigners the right to parttci
pate In the municipal governments.
AMERICA MUST KNOW.
These concessions and leases were NOT
taken up by European nations without
inquiry by the United States government
as 10 how interests were to be affected
ana that fact was disclosed clearly In
the last annual message to congress of
PRESIDENT Mckinley The president then
halo mat ne had not been an Indifferent
spectator of the events that had haen
transpiring in the Chinese empire whera-
by portions Of the maritime provinces
passed under European control. ana
steps had been taken to see that orr
interests were not prejudiced by anv
exclusive treatment by the new occn-
pants. He had become assured on that
Polnt' so there was no occasion for the
United States to become an actor on
the scene. Our large interests our av-
tenslVe Pacific coast line and our no.
silloh among nations gave us an eouita-
Ole claim to- consideration and friendly
treatment, and 1t would be the aim or
the United States government to s11hsa- va
our large interests by all means proper
- -" AZ me with the constitutional policy
of our government
The president then announced 90 for
as the recent acquisitions of Germany
RUSSIA and Great Britain are concerned
mat they would be international com
merce, and If it appeared that there was
no discriminatory treatment of American
cltlzens and their trade, either now or
hereafter, the desires of our government
would be realized.
These statements wara ,oo5 -,
president after the late foreign acouisi-
tlons In China, and the negotiations
"hlch the state department is now pur-
SUNG are simply intended to carry ont
the presidents aim and insure not onIv
Tor the present but for the future free
access for American commerce to the
interior Of China.