The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-11-27
Spheres Of Influence Will Not Be
Formally Defined.
UNDERSTANDING POSSIBLE
DIFFICULTIES ARE MANY IN
WAY OF TREATY.
Chinese Minister Discusses the Plan
With Some Show of Indignation
United States Cannot Become Sig
natory TO Such Treaty-Germany
In Favor OF the Open Door.

k-
Washington Nov. 26-In official and
diplomatic quarters much interest was
manifested today in the plan put for
ward in London cables of a treaty
among the great powers defining
spheres of influence in China That
anything in the shape of FORMAL
treaty is to be made between the pow
ers 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 ma
ture is possible. These negotiations,
following the frank request of Secre-
tary Hay upon some of the govern
ments which had already given him
verbal and informal assurances of the
continuation of all our treaty rights in
Chinese territory to have these agree
ments reduced to form. 1t was not
regarded as necessary to go beyond
tnat point, and although il frequently
happens as the result of initiating ne
gotiations that the scope of them is
broadened far beyond anything origin
ally in contemplation, il is believed
that such Will not be the case now, and
that there will be no necessity for a
general and formal treaty. 1t would
be extremely difficult to frame any such
convention so as TO secure the approval
OF the United States without a pro-
fracted struggle that might disclose
disa greeable weaknesses in the govern
ment's policies, and besides the effort
would be sure to arouse opposition
frorra. the considerable element in the
United States which is unalterably OPP
posed to any sort of foreign entangle-
ments. OF course, this statement APP
plies only to the United States, and
there could be no objection on our part
ir1fra f~e.<
covering foreign rights in China, pro-
vided there was nothing in the agree
ment obnoxious to our just and proper
claims. On the whole, having in view
the highly satisfactory utterances in
the French chambers yesterday Of NJ.
Del Case. the French minister of for
eign affairs, respecting the mainten-
ance of the open door" in China, there
is felt in official quarters TO be reason
for expecting a successful outcome of
the negotiations on this subject opened
by the United States.
Mr.. WI Is Agitated.
At some of the foreign Establishments
the proposition was considered as a
'feeler." resulting from the recent in
quiries made by the American govern
ment as to the attitude of the great
powers. Other influential members of
the diplomatic corps pointed out that
the plaIi WAS lne logical llOit
of the scheme initiated between Russia
and Great Britain where the spheres of
influence would be defined. The Chi
nese legation views the proposition as
purely conjectural, and the Chinese
minister. Mr.. WI Tin Fang. when his
attention was directed to the matter,
regarded it as preposterous.
This is about the most refreshing
suggestion we have had of Late re-
marked Mr.. WI. What, can it be
serious they proposed that document
shall be formally drawn up concerning
interests in China, and China shall not
be party to it? 1t cannot have es-
capped attention that China is a sover-
eign nation. and when il comes to
writing treaties concerning her inter-
ests and territory this sovereign nation
is quite likely TO have considerable to
say on the subject. l hardly think any
of the great self-reSpecting powers
would give countenance TO plan such
as is outlined. 1t is as though a party
of your 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 course by indi-
Viduals would seem strange indeed, and
it would amount to the same thing
among nations. OF course, all things
are possible, and ii is difficult to say
how far a plan. once entered upon, may
proceed. While the individual may be
quite secure in his residence. it 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 indi-
Vidual to be on the outlook against
- ,e. to h.
posed that a nation stands in any such
danger. as the great nations would not
countenance such a course. So that the
suggestions of a treaty of this charac-
ter appear to me to be entirely vision
ary."
American Sphere of Influence.
At one of the embassies it was point
ed 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 influence was |
defined. and up to the present time it |
has been definitely understood that the |
United States did not seek any sphere /
of influence. but merely untrammeled !
entrance to all Chinese ports. As to /
the other powers. the view prevailed |
thst they would be quite likely TO favor |
such comprehensive treaty as the |
one outlined in the London advices. as |
it carried forward the arrangement |
between Great Britain and Russia by /
which the former secured sphere of |
influence in the Y2n.g Use valley and |
Russia directed her activities to north
east Co ma.
Since returning from abroad the Ger |
mar ambassador. DR.. Won Holleben, |
has stated that the German policy in /
Kiao Chau was distinctly that of the |
open door" and Count Cassini. the
Russian ambassador. Aas stated the
same policy as to the Russian port of |
fallen Wan. The British position ia /
yorable to open ports is we'll known.
and since Lord Pauncefotes return oc-
casion has been taken to reiterate il. /
Beyond this. however. there has been
nothing from any of the foreign rep
concerning the future of !
China, and, without exception. the rep
of powers having interests
in China state positively that no in
have been received as to
with reference TO China. This
applies also to the japanese minister
and the French charge daffaires. who.
while they have made inquiries of the
state department as To - basis for
current rpDOrtS have no inSfrrrcfinyc ~, |