The record-union., 1899-11-09
At a Loss to Know What is Meant
by the London Dispatch
Relating to Anglo-American Chinese Rsla-
tions Of Startling Character.
Stated That There is Nothing Ex-
citing in This Line at Present
Between Great Britain and the
United States That Can Be Said
to be Of Sensational Character.


here are at a loss to know what was
meant by the mysterious London dis
patch relating to Anglo-American
Chinese relations of such a startling
character that the news could not be
published. 1t is stated. here that there
is nothing~exciting in this line at pres
ent between Great Britain and the
United States that can be said to be
of sensational character.
The Government is not averse to
having it known broadly that it has
been steadily engaged in negotiations
for months looking to the maintenance
Of whatever trade rights we now en-
joy in Chinese ports. Officials do not
care to go into details while the nego-
tiations are still in progress, but it is
expected the subject will be made the
basis of a special message to Congress
by the President.
1t is said our Government is not likely
to encounter any serious opposition to
what it regards as it's perfectly rea-
sonable effort to secure from the Eu-
ropean Powers interested formal as
surances in confirmation of verbal
statements already made that the way
for American trade in China will be
kept open in the event of a retention
of the existing conditions and lease
holds. Nothing has been heard from
France on this subject as yet. though
it is assumed that the returning EN-
bassador, M. Cambon, will bear some
instructions 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 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,
ana TO the effect that at the request
of the President, our ambassadors and
ministers abroad had been asked to
secure definite assurances that there
should be no interruption to the access
OF American trade and commerce to
the interior of China through the treaty
ports. Such assurances had been given
from time to time, in somewhat in
formal manner as parts of the mani
festos by which foreign Powers as
sumed control of ports on the China
coast, but the purpose of this request
was to have the assurances take de-
finite, 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 any understanding or
agreement with the Chinese Minister
and so far as is known here the Chinese
authorities were not consulted Whether
1t would be regarded favorably by
China depends, in the judgment of Min
lister WI. on subsequent DEVELOPMENTS
Throughout diplomatic circles keen
interest is manifested in the Ameri-
can move, and in the replies which are
likely to be ELECTED from the American
inquiry abroad. The view prevails
while there will be no difficulty in Sc
curing general assurances of a favora.
BILE character, it is not so certain that
definite statement in writing or tan
gible form will be given Those best
acquainted with the subject hold that
Great Britain, Germany and Russia
will coincide with the American view
and that if any objection comes it is
likely to arise in France, as the French
policy in Madagascar and Cochin China
is to give preferential rates to French
goods, and make determinations
against foreign goods. From this if
is implied that France will not give
written assurance that American
commerce will be on equal terms in
those parts of China where French
spheres of influence prevail.