The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-26
THE OPEN DOOR
POLICY IN CHINA
Negotiations Looking to an Interna-
tiOnal Agreement,
ASSURANCES FROM RUSSIA
Have Rccu Received, and IL is Under
stood That England. Japan and
the U"iteN>Ha'cs have reach
cd an Understanding

Copyright 1899. The Associated Press.
LONDON, Nov. 25-As result OF the
United States request 10 the powers lot
assurances regarding the maintenance OF
the open door in China. negotiations nave
been entered into looking 20 more per
ruanent and important international
agreement than any yet mooted.
Though the greatest official reuceh'e
IL observed at AN tho capitals regarding
this secret movement there is good GROUND
for believing that negotiations nave
reached hopeful stage. According 10
reports current here in consequence OF
Russia and France failing TO reply sats-
fsctorily TO WaShinetOus request the
United States decided % take up the
Chinese question stil more vigorously.
The cooperation OF Great Britain 70 thIs
end. II is asserted was secured and, upon
the initiative Of the United States. Efforts
wore set on foot t0 secure not only as
surancos 20 the United states but de-
finite agreement between the European
powers themselves
SEEMED UTOPlAN.
Such an understanding 10 the average
European statesman has long seemed uto-
plan. yet to-day the Associated Press Is
Informed on gooi authority that there are
good chances OF Great Britain. Russia.
Germany and Japan. I'm conjunction with
the United States. becoming sisnatories
10 a treaty delincating the spheres of poll
teal influence in China and determining
their fiscal policy I'm that quarter OF the
Globe. based on the 'opon door princi-
Piles. Such IS the scope Of the negotia-
tons
The projected arrangement may be re-
troactivc as regards territory. I'm other
words districts now controlled. for In
- nv
return for other privileges. France, APP
parently. has exhibited the greatest oppo-
stion 20 this plan so far, but assurances
have been received from Russia and her
apparent willingness 60 enter into an
agreement with the United States as the
leading factor has given rise 20 the be-
lief that France is not necessarily n
stumbling block. for if Russia entered into
the agreement France IL is asserted is
almost bound to follow or render herself
powerless in the far east
II is understood that the United States.
Great Britain and Japan have already
arrived at o perfect understanding
Germanys decision was greatly infuenc-
cd BY the Emperor. who has had fire.
quent conferences on this far eastern
problem while I'm England with Mr. JOS
eph ", Choate. the United States ambas-
sador~ At the Queens banquet Mr.. Choate
Conversed az length with tho emperor
and 10 is said, chiefly confined himself
10 the question Of China.
II Is scarcely probable that any official
or semi-ofical reference will be made to
this important undercurrent, which pro
crosses publicly under the guise Of mere
Is giving assurance To the United states
until Il has assumed such shape that no
hitch is possible. In the event Of the
failure OF the negotiations through the
refusal Of Russia or Germany # is likely
the world will never know how near the
great powers came 20 settling the greatest
problem Of the century.