The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-11-10
OUR INTERESTS IN CHINA.

Tor some time past reports have been in cir
cuation that the great powers OF Europe would
soon call upon our Government to define its
Chinese policy and how far it claimed right
trade in those parts OF China which have recently
passed under the domination OF Russia, Germany and
France 1t has been stated that Count Cassini the
Russian ambassador to this country was engaged
during his recent visit Europe in discussing the
question with the different powers interested and
would, upon his return, open negotiations with Sec
rotary Hay upon the subject.
The Count has now returned and in Our dispatches
OF Wednesday there given summary of an in
erview with him in which he is reported to have
talked frankly and to have denied that he has any
intention of asking the United States what port or
Sphere OF influence they desire to occupy in China
He is reported as saying
81 saw many prominent public men while in
Europe including Count Muravief and l assure
you that this is the first time that have heard that
such proposition to be submitted to the United
States In my talks at St Petersburg Paris and else
where many phases OF the Chinese subject were dis
cussed, but nothng-absoutely nohing-occurrcd 10
any report that individually, with Others
have any special inquiries to make concerning China
To be sure this and all other current topics are in
formally discussed, but be stated positively that
l return without any special mission to perform and
without instructions relating to China SO far as
Russia is concerned her door stands open The great
commercial port OF Talien-Wan has been made free
to the commerce OF the world by formal proclama-
ton"
Count Cassni is a diplomatist and Russian dip
lonatist at that the public will receive with some
increduy the statement that he talked frankly
Still it is quite probable he told the truth when he
stated he has not been charged to make any propo-
Ct
the first place European power, nor combination
of powers is in position to ask to define Our
Chinese policy for not OF them is prepared to
define its own; and, in the second place, the Chinese
problem has not yet reached point where any def
mite solution OF it is practicable
There is in the situation however much which
tends support the belief that sooner or later we
will come into conflict with those powers that claim
to have special interests and rights in what called
their spheres OF influence" The United States do
not claim jurisdiction or influence over single acre
OF Chinese territory, but they do claim the right to
opportunities of trade equal with other ma
tons in every part of China from north to south
and far into the interior as any nation has right
to trade. How right to equal trade in all parts
OF the empire be reconced with the aggressions
OF European powers remains to be seen.
/ 1t will be noted Count Cassin states Russia has
made the port OF TalienWan free to the commerce OF
the world That is all right far as it goes but the
question remains whether Russia could shut us out
If she chose. At present Russia has extended a
sphere of influence" over two Chinese provinces
Germany over one, France over an extensive region
in the south, and Great Britain claims influence over
the whole Yangtse Valley and its frontage II
such claims go on unchecked the time will soon come
when the whole sea front of China will be under
European influence. 1t will then be imperative upon
us to define our policy, whether we asked to do
it or not In fact, there breakers ahead in Chi
nese waters and our ship OF state is likely to be
! involved in them