The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-18
AMERICAN INTERESTS IN CHINA.
Tho Vast Significance of tho Reported ALI
nnce with British InterestA.

nnce with British interests.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-lSir: The an
nOuncement OF a commercial pact by the terms
OF which Americans and Englishmen agree to
operate together for the development OF Joint
commercial projects in China has caused no
surprise. certainly not to readers OF THE Sun.
for in these columns. on the 9TH Of August
1S8. wrote. anent the concession for rail-
way In Kowloon Here English and Amer
lean interests may make a combination as
American concessions include the right to build
branch line from Canton to the sea. and IL Ia
not too much to say. in view OF the condition OF
public opinion in Great Britain and America,
that that clause may lead to consequences OF
stupendous Importance may be the
stepping stone by which Anglo American fed
Grafton shall be reached"
The truth Is that. even at that time. oom-
mercial understanding had practically been
reached at meetings in London ut which rep
rescntatives Of the Hong Kong and Shanghai
Bank. and other English interests. had been In
| consultation with the late Senator Brioe and
Lord Charles Beresford felt. when he pub
lished his book. that the matter had gone so
far that IL was proper to mention 1t. rs he does.
as an ACCOMPLISHED fact.
Sooner or later. of course. such semi-dplo-
| matte arrangements become public property:
| and now that the American syndicate has seen
fit openly to proclaim its International relation.
| the question arises whet her or no the word
..stYpendpus was well chosen in august last last
| Brice- kothschld programme. In any aspect
IN which the, paot may be regarded. that word
| justly Describes the Importance. commercially
| and politically. Of the event. without enter
ing upon consideration of the, effect OF, an
| upon the designs of Russia. OF Germany or OF
France. with which such an understanding
lem Of the greatest possible interest to con.
cider the consequences Of joint American and
Rsie from the the cor" Contest ITO for railroads and
other commercial privileges in China. IN which
REPRESENTATIVES. Of all civilized countries have
tangible results to China which the introduce
ton Of such vast modern propositi0ns Nus, must
ment. OF education and of conduct, and it
ever, presented itself to the mind OF any
Intelligent man to consider upon what
| o, OO,oOO0O0 of people, is likely to take shape.
| That the tendency in China toward conform
ny e g. as Sasn IN Is
Lute In WELDING to the pressure for, innova-
lions in the direction d Of progress and th reform
spread rapidly in China since the war with
Japan. and even the Empress. though repre-,
as ultra conservative. has rather tax en- the posi-
ton not that she is opposed to such reforms. but
| Ing SO last that he endangered the stability OF
the Government. The, EmpreSs distinctly
| lhVOrs rallWhyS ana yleluS IN some Otner ulrec-
| tons to development of the empire In accord
ancc with modern ideas, but she has repealed
the edicts by which the EN- pc ror sought to turn
the minds OF the people to practical studies.
| rather than to intermi nnble questions about
the doctrines OF Confucius. China Is the
PARADISE OF those who believe that men should
| be Judged by their ability to pass written civil
service examinations Just az we owe to her
tea. ramie and the mariners compass, we owe
examinations; the youth Of China spend years
| I'm studying questions OF about as much practi-
| cal consequence as the quest ions often ask ed
| in this country of applicants for a Job on the
| police force.
| The dominating idea OF the Russian system
| Is feudalism -autocracy, The dominating idea
| of our people. and of the English system. Is in
| dividual liberty and representative form OF
| government. Vast consequences to civiliZa-
these influences shnll become the dominating
notion in China during the next decades
Russia has gained there rapidly, during
| the last year lined commercially and
EoiiticaIiynhut that implies the srrrad Of
| regions OF territory. England has hardly
| held herown America entered the field. provi-
| dentially for China. as we'll as for our NOR
chants and manufacturers. and for civilization
| moved Significantly and with astounding
| swiftness. The gravity OF the transaction
was fully appreciated. in way. by the
| the average American then thought little
| about opportunities in the Far East he did
| not even know the name OF the commander OF
| our Asiatic squadron. and nothing was further
| OF Washington Administration in respect to
| China might become an issue in our next
| national election. THURIow WEED BARNES.
| NEW YORK. July IL.