Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-11-27

interest was manifested to-day in the
plan put forward in London cables of
a treaty among the great powers de-
fning spheres of influence in China.
That anything in the shape of a formal
treaty is to be made between the pow
ers interested in the future Of China
is the outcome of the negotiations now
in progress, is not believed here, though
an understanding Of less formal ma
ture is possible. These negotiations
followed the frank request Of Secretary
Hay upon some Of the governments
which had already given him verbal
and informal assurance OF the continu-
alton of all our treaty rights in Chinese
territory to have these agreements re
duced to form. 1t was not regarded as
necessary to go beyond that point, and
although it frequently happens as the
result Of initiating negotiations that
the scope of them is broadened far be-
yond anything
ORIGINALLY IN CONTEMPLATION,
it 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 diff
cult to frame any such convention so
as to secure the approval Of the United
States Senate without a protracted
struggle that might disclose disagree
able weaknesses in the governments
policies, and, besides, the effort would
be sure to arouse opposition from the
considerable element in the United
States which Is unalterably opposed to
any sort Of foreign entanglements.. OF
course, this statement applies only TO
the United States, and there could be
no objection on our part to the other
powers joining in treaty covering for
eign rights in China, provided there was
nothing in the agreement obnoxious TO
our Just and proper claims. On the
whole, having in view the highly salts
factory utterances in the French Cham
bers, yesterday, of H. Delcasse, the
French Minister of Foreign Affairs. re-
speeding the maintenance of
THE "OPEN DOOR"
in China. there is felt in official quar-
tiers to be reason for expecting sue
cessful outcome Of the negotiations on
this subject opened by the United
States.
At some Of the foreign establishments
the proposition was considered "feel-
err" resulting from the recent inquiries
made by the American government as
to the attitude of the great powers.
Other influential members OF the diplo-
matte corps pointed out that the plan
was the logical consummation OF the
scheme initiated between Russia and
Great Britain whereby spheres OF in
fuence would be defined. The Chinese
legation views the proposition as
purely conjectural and the Chinese
Minister, Mr.. WI Ting Fang, when his
attention was directed to the matter re-
garded it
AS PREPOSTEROUS.
"This is about the most refreshing
suggestion we have had Of Late. re-
marked Mr.. WI What, can it be ser
iously proposed that document shall
be formally drawn up concerning in
terests in China and China shall not
be a party to it? 1t can not have es-
capped attention that China is a SOW
ereign nation. and when it comes to
writing articles concerning her inter-
ests and territory this sovereign nation
is quite likely 10 have considerable TO
say on the subject / hardly think any
OF the great and self-respecting powers
would give countenance 70 a pan such
as is outlined II 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 the owner Of
the house. Such a course by individ-
uals would seem strange indeed, and it
would amount to the same thing among
nations. OF course, al things are pos
sible, and it is difficult to say how far
a plan, once entered upon, may pro-
coed While the individual may be
quite secure in his residence. it is Of
course. always within the bonds sof
possibility that
A BAND OF ROBBERS.
may arrange TO enter the house and
carry away the belongings. For that
reason it is part OF wisdom for the
individual TO be on the outlook against
such moves. But it is not to be sup
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
character appear TO me to be entirely
visionary
Al one q the embassies ii was pointed
g.