The age-herald., 1899-03-07
WILL MAKE NJ
 GRAB FOR LAND United States WiIl Hands OH
 in China. ITALIAN DEMAND FOR PORT Will Not Cause America to Ask
 for Concessions. : INTERFERENCE WITH OUR TRADE Will Compel This Country to Seize a
 Slice or Territory. BUT LITTLE sEAcosT IS LEFT But if Necessary, Some Could be Found to Satisfy Uncle Sam America
 Has Some Concessions at
 Port of Shanghai.
Will Compel This Country to Seize a
 Slice or Territory.
BUT LITTLE sEAcosT IS LEFT

Washington, March 6.-The United States government has remained absolutely pass i've throughout the execution of the Italian project to secure an "open door" on the Chinese coast through the acquisition of San Nun bay and outlying islands. Some days ago United States Minister Conger, at Pe5in, acquainted the state department with the fact that Italy had preferred a request upon China for lease of the spot selected, but he has made report since, and it is not known officially whether or not the Italian forces have been landed at San Nun.
 One of the highest authorities today said:
 "The government of the United States will not take any steps in regard to the Italian demand for the cession of Chinese territory.
 "In other words, our government is re- sisting from motives of broad policy allur- ing intimatons from other powers to the effect that the time is ripe for raid by the United States on some part of the Chinese coast line. It has determined definitely to keep hands off.
 Interference With Trade
 "But one motive could induce the gov ernment to change this policy, and that would be a desire to protect our enormous ly valuable commerce with China from the danger of being completely cut off through the gradual extension of the leaseholds of European nations over the whole Chinese seacoast. So long as our trade is let alone or is at least allowed fair opportunity for development and is nc. made the subject of discrimination, so long will the United States government refrain from any inter- ference in Chinese affairs"
 MT. Conger has reported that Pekin has been unusually quiet during the past win ter. He does not undertake to say wheth- CT or not the presence of marine guards at the United States legation and at other em- bassies and legations in Pekin had any thing to do with repressing disorder, but his statements bear the affirmative inter- pretation.
 The Chinese minister called at the state department today and had a conference with Secretary Hay.
 Mass of Information
 There Is a mass of information on hand In both the navy and state departments relative to the encroachment of foreign powers on the Chinese coast, but 1t is in such shape that concise statement of the situation is difficult to obtain.
 With England in possession of Wei-Hai- Wei, the Russians at Port Arthur, the French at Anam and Tonquin, the Ger mans holding Kaio-Chau and with the ad- ditional ports of Hong Kong and Singapore in the hands of the English, there is very little left in the way of desirable ports on the Chinese coast Shanghai is nomina1ly In control of the Chinese government, but really is controlled by the various treaty nations, all of whom have advantages in fhnfr 10 ment itself. At Shanghai the United States has its only direct interest in a Chinese holding, being one of the treaty powers and having distinctively American concession Of the larger ports remaining there are only Swatow. Foo Chow and Ningpo, which are really in control of the Chinese gov- ernment. There is a large and desirable area in the gulf of Pechili on the northern coast, in which recent Asiatic dispatches intimate that the United States may have an interest if the dismemberment of China is ultimately effected. This is very land locked, however, and its narrow entrance is wholly commanded by Port Aruthur on one side and by Wei-Hei-Wei on the other The authorized disclaimer given out today, however, of any purpose on the part of the United States to acquire any territory in that or any portion of China makes this consideration of little moment.
 Italy Turned Down
 Pekin, March Glowing to the insulting manner in which the Chinese government has refused the request of the Italian gov- ernment for a lease of San Nun bay, pro- vince of Che Kiang, as a coaling station and naval base, Signor Martino the Ital- lain minister, declines to hold direct com munication with the Tsung Li Yamen.
 According to a dispatch to the Associa ted Press on Sunday the Tsung Lii Yamen had returned to the Italian embassy the dis fch containing the domapd fnr Inc cession accompanying it with a letter de- claring the government was unable to grant the request.
 Couched in Contemptuous Language
 London, March 6.-The Pekin correspond ent of the Times says:
 ''The Tsung Li Yamcn's rejection of ltaly's demands was couched in studiously eontemptuous and miniatory tsrms. find