New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-26
REACHING AN AGREEMENT
NEGOTIATIONS REGARDING THE "OPEN
DOOR" IN CHINA.
IMPORTANT RESULTS. 1T is BELIEVED,
WILL FOLLOW VIGOROUS ACTION BY

THE WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT.
London. Nov. 25-As result Of the request
Of the United States to the Powers for assur-
ances regarding the maintenance OF the open
door In China. The Associated Press il able
to say that negotiations have been entered into
looking to a more permanent and important in
ternational agreement than has yet been
mooted. Though the greatest official retcence
is observed at all the capitals regarding this
secret movement. there is good ground for be-
heving that the negotiations have reached
hopeful stage
According to reports current here. In conse-
quence OF Russia and France falling to reply
satisfactorily to Washington's request, the
United States decided to take up the Chinese
question still more vigorously. The co-opera-
tlon Of Great Britain 10 this erd 1t Is asserted,
was secured. and on the initiative of the United
States efforts were set on foot to secure not
only assurances to The United States, but
definite agreement between the European Pow
ers themselves Such an understanding, to the
average European statesman. has long seemed
Utopian, yet to-day It is said on good au-
thority that there are fair chances OF Great
Britain. Russia, Germany and Japan. in con-
junction with the United States, becoming
signatories to a treaty eliminating the spheres
OF political influence in China. and determining
their fiscal policy in that quarter Of the globe
based on the open door principle.
Such Is the scope Of the negotiations. The
projected arrangement may be retroactive as
regards territory; in other words. districts now
controlled, for instance. by Russia may change
hands in return for other privileges.
France. apparently, has exhibited the greatest
opposition to this plan far. but assurances
have been received from Russia, and her APP
parent willingness to enter into agreement
with the United States as the leading factor has
given rise to the belief that France is not
necessarily a stumbling block, for If Russia
entered into the agreement, France. 1t is as
serted. is almost bound to follow or render
herself poweress in the Far East. It is under
stood that the United States, Great Britain and
Japan have already arrived at perfect under
standing. Germanys decision greatly in
fuenced by the Emperor, who has had frequent
conferences on this Far Eastern problem, while
in England. with Mr.. Choate the United States
Ambassador. At the Queens banquet Mr.
Choate conversed at length with the Emperor
and it is said chiefly confined himself to the
question of China.
1t is scarcely probable that any official or
semi-official reference will be made to this i'm
portant undercurrent whlcn is making progress
publicly under the guise of merely giving as
surances to the United States, until It has as
sumed such shape that no hitch is possible.
In the event OF the failure OF the negotiations
through the refusal OF Russia or Germany it is
likely that the world will never know how near
the great Powers came TO settling the greatest
problem OF the century.
So far. the private nature Of the Emperors
visit to England has prevented its attracting
much public attention. though any number OF
rumors are current in regard to its diplomatic
result That It will seriously affect. II not de-
eide the Chinese negotiations mentioned seems
highly probable while IT IS more than likely
that II will be followed by further British-Ger-
man agreements regarding Nigeria. which topic
Mr. Chamberlain doubtless discussed during
his audience