The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-27
III the Nations Attempt the COnsum-
Guilty Of Practical Robbery.
PART OF THE UNITED STATES
WASHINGTON WILL NOT BE DRAWN
INTO AN ACTUAL TREATY.
All 1t Wants Is that Our Trade and
Empire Shall Be Protected.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26.-In official and
diplomatic quarters much interest
manifested to-day in the plan put forward
in London cables of treaty among the
great powers defining spheres of influence
in China. That anything in the shape OF a
formal treaty is to be made between the
powers interested in the future of China
as the outcome of the negotiations now in
progress is not believed here. though an
understanding of a less formal nature is
possible. These negotiations followed the
frank request of Secretary Hay, upon some
of the governments which had already
given him verbal and Informal assurance
OF the continuation of all our treaty rights
in Chinese territory, to have these agree
ments reduced to form. 1t was not regard
ed as necessary to go beyond that point,
and although it frequently occurs as the
result of initiating negotiations that the
scope of them is broadened far beyond any
thing originally in contemplation, it is be-
lieved that such will not be the case now,
and that there will be no necessity for
general and formal treaty. 1t would be
extremely difficult to frame any such con-
vention so as to secure the approval of the
United States Senate without protracted
struggle that might disclose disagreeable
weaknesses in the governments policies,
| and, besides, the effort would be sure to
arouse opposition from the considerable
element in the United States which is un-
alterably opposed to any sort of foreign
entanglements. OF course, this statement
applies only to the United States, and there
could be no objection on our part to the
other powers joining in treaty covering
foreign rights in China, provided there was
| nothing in the agreement obnoxious to our
| just and proper claims. On the whole, hav-
| ing in view the highly satisfactory utter
ances in the French Chambers yesterday of
| NJ. Delcasse. the French miAister of foreign
affairs, respecting the maintenance of the
''open door, in China. there is felt in Off
Cldl QUdItSIS " NC IedSoh Aoi SApCSliu6 d
successful outcome of the negotiations on
this subject opened by the United States.
JUST A "FEELER"
At some of the foreign establishments the
proposition was considered a "feeler," re-
sulting from the recent inquiries made by
the American government as to the atti-
f,,Ja of ba inf fia1
members of the diplomatic corps pointed
out that the plan was the logical consum-
nation of the scheme initiated between
Russia and Great Britain, where the sphere
of the influence would be defined. The Chi
nese legation views the proposition as
purely conjectural, and the Chinese minis
was directed to the matter, regarded it as
preposterous. This is about the most re-
freshing suggestion We have had Of late"
| remarked Mr.. Wu. what. Can IL be
riously proposed that a document shall be
formally drawn up concerning interests in
China, and China shall not be party to
it? 1t cannot have escaped attention that
China is a sovereign nation, and when il
comes to writing treaties concerning her
interests and territory, this sovereign
| ton is quite likely to have considerable to
say on the subject. i hardly think any of
the great and self-respecting powers would
give countenance to plan such as
is outlined. 1t is as thoI gh party of year
neighbors met and agreed how they would
occupy your house. One would take the
front door, another would select the side
door, others would appropriate certain
rooms. And all this without consulting you,
the owner OF the house. Such a course by
individuals would seem strange indeed, and
It would amount to the same thing among
nations. OF course, all things are possi-
bic. and it is difficult to say how far plan.
once entered upon, may proceed. While the
| individual may be quite secure in his resi-
6ence, II Is, OF course, always within the
bounds OF possibility that a band of robbers
may arrange TO enter the house and carry
| away the belongings. For that reason it is
the part of wisdom for the individual TO be
on the outlok against such moves. But it is
not supposed that nation stands in such
danger, as the great nations would not
countenance such course. So that the sug-
gestions of a treaty of this character appear
to me TO be entirely visionary"
THE AMERICAN POSITION.
At one of the embassies it was pointed out
that the United States was hardly likely TO
become a party TO a treaty defining the
spheres of influence of other powers, while
at the same time no sphere of American in
nuence was defined, and up to the present
time ii has been definitely understood that
the United States did not seek any sphere
OF influence, but merely untrammeied
trance TO all Chinese ports. AS TO the other
powers. the view prevailed that they would