The times., 1899-02-22
CHINA'S SALVATION
IS TIE OPEN DOOR
Lord Charles BeresfOrd on the
Eastern Question.
The United States, England. Ger
many and Japan.
These Four should Form ~ Com
mcrcinI tIlinncc-Attitude of
France and Russia.

Lord Charles Beresford, the noted Brit
sh admiral and statesman, arrived in
Washington yesterday morning and is now
quartered with his secretary at the Shore
ham. The mission of the distinguished
Englishman in this country is to advocate
the open door in China and to promote
an understanding with this Government
regarding the policy to be pursued to make
that open door effective.
Lord Charles Beresford was seen in his
apartments by Times reporter yesterday
and in answer to question anent the object
of his visit here said: Yes, | am advo-
eating an open door in China. 1 am ad-
vocating the policy for England and in
doing so | champion the open door for all
nations and am working for the world.
There are many reasons why the United
States should favor the open door in China
The best OF these are financial reasons.
There are four great nations to whom this
policy would bring many benefits trading
facilities. and equal opportunities. These
four do all the trading with China and
they are the United States, England. Ger
many, and Japan. | do not include France
and Russia for very good reasons.
France and Russia have no trade with
China. By trade | mean imports. Russia
takes little tea, but this is really part
of what goes to England. France and
Russia are not commercial nations and are,
therefore, hardly in favor of the open door
in China.
France and Russia are working for
their own interests. Both are anxious to
absorb territory and would gladly partition
China. The four trading nations, America,
England. Germany. and Japan, are not
anxious 10 absorb Chinese territory, and
would prefer an open door with equal op-
portunities and trading facilities. Russia
and France | do not claim, as they are
outsiders.
Now as to China. its greatest danger
comes from itself. The Empire is at pres
eRt very rotten II has an enormous debt
and nothing with which to pay Il. The
present revenues are used in paying the
interest on foreign loans. II the four
trading nations do not at once care for
China and establish the open door the
Empire will be broken up. France and
Russia will make division of her and
the door will be permanently closed.
ITO prevent this the four trading ma
tions should take charge of China. The
treaties must be kept as at present, and
the government must be made stable. The
Chinese army must be placed upon strong
footing. equal TO the protection of China
At present the Chinese army is menace
10 tHlld. II l0SSt lHlHsS are not uOEt d
once. the Empire is certain to be disrupted
and the trading nations of the world will
be shut out.
"Of course, both the United States and
England can take care OF their trading in
terests in the East. They are strong and
powerful. But with the open door, the
United States would be certain to lead the
world in trade with China. Let me tell
you, if things keep on as they are going,
the United States will outstrip the world
within twenty years. Your cotton trade is
especially valuable. Within the last TWEEN
ty years your cotton trade with China has
increased 12l per cent in volume, and SO
per cent in value. At present England is
buying American cotton and selling it in
China. And this is classed as English
trade.
England nov controls % per cent Of
the trade with China and the United
States II per cent. Under the unseltish
open door policy this would increase
wonderfully. and all nations would he
benefited. Russia and France would have
trade and could prosper if my policy were
carried out.
We want an alliance of the four trad
ing nations, the United States. England
Germany, and Japan. We do not want
| any war alliance. Great Britain and the
United States can take care of themselves
but we want a commercial alliance"
Lord Charles stated that this was his
first visit to the eastern part of the United
States. Il find all Americans very kind
and courteous" said he and | am de-
lighted with your country. | think Wash
ington a very impressive city. and your
! Capitol is a remarkably handsome build
ing. l visited this country once before, in
1861. but did not get farther east than
San Francisco. was in that city when the
first steamer started for China from the
United States
Lord Charles will visit New York tomor-
row, when he viii be rendered a banquet
by the American Asiatic Society during
the evening.