The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-11-17

Americas Policy Towards
Chinese Trading Rights.
Mr. mckinisiy insists That ne Pow
ers Shai Not Obstruct Our Trade
with Tia MongoI Empire.

WASHINGTON. Nov. S.-Oficials
Aere are ut loss TO know what was
meant by the mysterious London dis
patch relating to Anglo-American chi
nese relations of such n startling char
sacter that the news could not be pub
fished. II is stated that there is moth
ing in this line 1T present between
Great Britain and the United States
that can be said 10 be of sensational
character. The Government is not
averse TO having il known broadly that
il has been steadily engaged in neSo-
,iations for months looking to the
maintenance OF whatever trade rights
We now enjoy in Chinese ports. Off
eiaIs do not care TO go into details
while the negotiations are still in prog
ress. but II is expected the subject will
De made the basis of special message
n Congress by the President. Ii is
said our Government is not likely to
encounter any serious opposition TO
what Ii regards as - perfectly reason
pean powers interested formal assur-
ances In confirmation of verbal state
ments already made that the way for
American trade in China will be kept
open In the event % 4 rejection of the
existing conditions and leaseholds.
Nothing has been l.eard from France
on this subject as ye-, though it is as
sumed that the ~eturuing ambassador,
VI. Cambon, will bear some instruc-
lions on the subject
The Chinese Government. through
Minister WI Ting Fang. is keeping a
watchful eye on the recent develop
ments relating to China. Within the
last few days he SAW Secretary Hay.
with a view to learning TO what ex-
tent the United States had acted. The
response of the Secretary of State is
said to- have been quite full and frank
and TO the effect That, at the request
of the President. our ambassadors and
Ministers abroad aad been asked to
secure definite assurances that there
should he no interruption to the &C
cess of American trade and commerce
10 the interior of China through the
treaty ports. Such assurances had
been given from time TO time in a
somewhat informal manner as parts OF
The mauifestos by which foreign pow
ars assumed control of ports on the
China coast. but the purpose of this
request was To- have the assurances
take definite. tangible written form, so
as to leave no room for doubt that the
future commerce IN the Orient would
meet no Unforeseen embarrassment.
1t can be stated positively that the
recent move of the United States was
not the result of an understanding or
agreement with the Chinese Minister,
and. so far as is known here. the Chi
nese authorities were not consulted.
Whether it would DE regarded favor
abl. by China depends, in the judg-
ment of Minister WI, on subsequent
developments.
Throughout diplomatic circles keen
interest is manifested in the American
move and in the replies which are like
w TO be elected from the American in
8uiry abroad. The view prevails that
while there will be no difficulty in Sc
suring general assurances of favor
able character il Is lot so certain that
i definite statement in writing or tan
gible form will be given.
Those best acquainted with the sub
iect hold that Great Britain, Germany
and Russia will coincide with the
American view and that If any objec-
zion comes il is likely to arise in
France, as the French policy in NADIA
Eascar and Cochin China is to give
preferential rates to French goods and
make Determinations against foreign
goods. From this il is implied that
france will not give n written assur-
ance that American commerce will be
on equal terms in those parts of China
where French spheres OF influence pre-
vail