The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-08
ITALY ACTUATED
ONLY BY GREED
Her Demands on China Are Considered
Excessive.
HAS NO COLONIES THERE
And Italian Trade In the Orient Is
RldiCuIouSly Small.
ATTITUDE OF THE UNITED STATES
In Regard to Land Cabling is Appre-
ciated by China, and Will Act as
an Influence to Prevent
Extortion.
ATTITUDE OF THE UNITED STATES

Washington, March 7-Chinese Minister
WI expresses himself as highly gratified
with the fact that the United States have
decided to keep hands off China.
Il am sure the Chinese government and
people will not fail to observe this strong
EVIDENCE OF good WILL" said Mr.. WI, to-
day. 1T is not only another bond between
the two countries, but 1t has a special Sig
nihcance just now. While the other world
powers seem moved by rapacity the United
States take that lofty position of equity,
justice and humanity which has character
lied her dealings with other international
questions of late and instead of joining In
encroaehments on China, assumes an at
titude of strict neutrality"
The minister had long conference yes
terdayi with Secretary Hay as to the stu
alton In China. While he would not dis
cuss The conference he undoubtedly learned
in an official way what was made known to
the public later in the day and communi-
Gated the information to Pekin. 1t is
expected the position of the United States
in refusing to seize any territory will have
an important influence on affairs in China,
streng thening the hands of their authority.
The Action of Italy
Speaking OF Italy's action in seeking an
open door on the Chinese coast by the
acquisition of San Nun bay, Mr.. WI says
he was much surprised at this move, as
Italy has practically no trade with China
He said that he has never seen more than
two OF three Italians in China; there are no
Italian lcommercial houses that he recalls
and no Italian colonies. Under such cir
cumstahces the minister is inclined to be-
lieve Italy would not have acted so with
other powers. What China will do as to
accepting or rejecting the Italian claims
Mr. W. has not been advised officially. He
says, however, : that the reports that the
Tsung ~ Yamen has returned the Italian
request should not be construed to mean
that any summary course has been adopt
ed. All this information indicates that the
return was In no offensive spirit, but was
merely to explain the difficulties of COM
plying with such a request.
Mr.. WI points out that China continues
to have a great stretch of coast with a
number of large ports, including Canton,
and some twenty-five treaty ports through
which the commerce of the world can flow
unintsrrupstedly.
The Russian port at Port Arthur and
that of the British at Wei-Hai-Wei are
more particularly naval and military ports.
Khan Chou, the German port, Is better
adapted for commerce as well as naval
uses. although Mr.. Wu says his under
standing Is that the "open door" policy is
TO be maintained by the Germans at Khan
Chou, 80 that all countries would share
alike in Its advantages In any event, he
says, the free entry of goods would relate
only to Khan Chou and its hinterland, and
that when these goods passed into China
the Chinese customs would be levied.
The recent visit of Admiral Lord Beres-
ford Afforded an opportunity for exchang-
ing of views between him and Count Cas-
sini, the Russian ambassador, and Mr.. WI
all OF whom are Intimately familiar with
the large questions engrossing China. Lord
Beresford had conferred with officials OF
the Tsung Ii Yamen and with the vice
roys and leaders. The result of all this
study of the Chinese question was summed
up in the belief, openly announced, that
Great Britain, Germany, the United States
and japan, having the bulk of commerce
and interest in China, should unite to pro-
tect these interests by assuring to China
stable government, free from constant
harassment of movements without terri
torial ACQUISITION. Mr.. WI does not COM
NIT himself on the wisdom of Lord Beres-
ford's plan of solving the Chinese problem,
but he is inclined to believe that his lord
ships mission, which thus far Is unofficial
and In behalf of the chambers of COM
merce of England, after his return to Eng
land will have official results.