New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-25
AMER1CAN INTERESTS ~ CHM

Some figures which we published the other
day of the numbers and natlonaIities OF for
eigners residing In China express eoquently
the extent OF American interests In that coun-
try. We have heard much for the best part
Of a century Of British relations with China Of
French interests in the southeastern provinces,
OF Russia's invasion and colonization OF Man
churia, Of Germanys conquest in Shan-Tung
and. of course, Of Japans close reatIons with
China, photographic, geographic and CONNER
clal, that many might have accepted unques-
tioningly report that each Of those countries
far surpassed this in the number OF It's people
settled in China and in the general extent OF
its interests there. The fact is however that
only two OF them surpass this country, and one
Of those by only n narrow margin while the
fourth in rank lags far behind lis.
The figures of population show the numbers
Of foreigners Of various nationalltes residing In
China in 1899. The British led. as was 10 be
expected, with 1862; the Japanese came second
with 2,44O, and the United States was q close
third, with 2,335. At a long distance after MS
came Russia-desplte her geographical proxim-
ity to China and her active plans of conquest
with only 1921; France followed with 13S
and Germany was sixth with 1.134. Thus the
United States has almost as many settlers in
China japan had, nearly 45 per cent more
than Russia had and more than France and
Germany had together. On this ground. then.
the interests Of the United States in China are
entitled to consideration In the foremost rank
The foreigners settled in China are to be
grouped according to numbers in three classes
In the first class are the British, japanese and
Americans; in the second are Russians French
and Germans, and in the third all others
similar showing is made in the returns OF
China's foreign commerce. The latest authentic
returns ut hand are those of 1897. In that wear
China's foreign trade, both imports and exports,
with the chief nations Of the world was as fol
lows computed in Haikwan taels. of, say. 10
cents value Great Britain, 52.960OOO; Japan.
39,191, 900; United States, 30,26S,0OO; India,
21114,000; Russia, in Europe and Asia, 10, S52,-
0O0 and all Of Europe besides Great Britain and
Russia, 34,443.0OO. 1t should be added that
Hong Kong's figures were 15O62S 600 but near
ly all Of that vast volume OF commerce was
merely in transit for other countries among
which If was distributed probably in about the
same proportions the direct trade be-
tween China and them. The United States,
then, stood, and stands, in the same rank in
commerce as in population namely third-and
with Great Britain and Japan forms the first
class in commerce, all other nations even Rus
STA with her enormous geographical nbutment
upon China, being relegated to second and third
classes.
Now, these particulars, population and COM
merre are the legitimate bases OF interest and
influence and of title to a voice in the dispose
ton Of affairs. Upon such bases the United
States is entitled to high consideration In the
settlement Of the Chinese question" 1t is,
moreover, worthy of especial note that the only
Powers which surpass, equal, OF even APP
proximate to the standing of the United States
upon those bases the two with which this
country is the most intimate terms and
which most closely agree with the United States
in policy toward China. These three-Great
Britain Japan and the United States-are the
three great Powers IN China in point of num-
bers and commerce, and they are the three that