Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-11-30
1cnnrrighted by Associated Press }

far assurances regarding the malnten-
snce of the open door in China the AS
sociated Press is able to say that nego-
istions have been entered into look
ing TO a more permanent important in
ternational agreement than has yet
been noted. Though the greatest Off
ciaI reticence is observed at all CAPT
falls regarding this secret movement,
there is good ground for believing that
negotiations have reached hopeful
stage. According TO reports current
here. in consequence of Russia and
France failing to reply satisfactorily TO
washington request, the United
States has decided to take up the Chin
csc question still more vigorously. The
co-Operation OF Great Britain to this
end il is asserted, was secured upon
the initiative of the United States. Eff
forts have been set on foot to secure
not only assurances to the United
States but definite agreement be-
tween European powers themselves.
Such an understanding, to the average
European statesman, has long seemed
utopiau. vet there is a fair chance
of Great Britain, Russia, Germany and
Japau. in conjunction with the United
States, becoming signatories to a treaty
defining spheres of political influence
in China and determining their fiscal
Dolicv in that quarter of the globe,
based on the open door principle. Such
Is the scope of the negotiations. The
projected arrangement may be retro
active as regards territory, in other
words, districts now controlled
NAV change hands in return for other
Driyileges. France, apparently, has
exhibited the greatest opposition to
this plan but assurance received from
Russia of her apparent willingness to
enter into an agreement with the
United States as leading factor has
given rise to the belief that France Is
not necessarily a stumbling block for,
if Russia enters into an agreement,
France, it is asserted, is almost bound
10 follow or render herself powerless
in the far east 1t is understood that
the United States, Great Britain and
Japan have already arrived at per-
feet understanding, Germany's decl-
sion has been greatly influenced by the
emperor. who has had frequent confer
encps on this far eastern problem,
while in England, with Joseph H.
ChOate. United States ambassador. At
the queens banquet, Mr.. Choate con-
versed at length with the emperor, and
1t is said, chiefly confined himself to
the question Of China. 1t is scarcely
probable that any official or semi Of
fetal reference will be made to this
important under-current, which pro-
crosses publicly under the guise OF
merely giving assurances to the United
States, until it has assumed such shape
that NO hitch will be possible. In
the event of the failure of the negoti-
atoms through the refusal of Russia
or Germany, it is likely that the
world will never know how near the
great powers came to settling the
greatest problem of the century. The
Irausyaal war becomes a matter OF
mOmeutary interest compared with the
tremendous possibilities dependent on
"
Ing tho diplomats of Europe, and the
Wat Itself has reached a stage where
even British interest somewhat lags.
The advance Of troops to the relief OF
IaIysmith, Kimberley and Mafeking
is necessarily clothed in secrecy
which has only been broken by news
Of desultOry engagements. The past
Week seems to have altered but little
conditions described in these dis
patches. Even If Gen. White holds out
Until. relieved, it will only remove a
picturesque phase of the campaign but
does not mean it will hasten it's speedy
end. The beers it Is claimed, are not
aka.T to risk a deciding battle Of the
war until they have got Gen. Buller's
invading force into a position believed
lH be favorable to them or until they
..a Driven into a corner, which prom
.as '3 be a matter Of months. Criti-
u off he methods OF British army
..-aH.za-i1n has led several writer's tc
sza.H seriously consider the advisable
b. adopting some form of conscrip-
lI' although a preponderation OF
experts might favor such a
British nation has not yet
p stage where 1t would submit
mlitarlsm
Quiet at Ladysmith.
Hra Nov 26.-An official dis.
rom the boer head lager out.
'rsmith dated Friday. says;
garrison at I4adysmith wa;
.F quiet Yesterday The can.
hardly evoked a response. The
no longer scars. The third
Hnon which the beers have bap-
@zra.uty, was placed in posi-
RE German officers arrived las
The boor generals think they
mpass the fall OF Ladysmitt
my attends to its work. In 6
thunderstorm last night. -four
riding cannon were struck.
Flmors or Relief
Nov ga special dispatch
rhau dated Friday saws news