New-York tribune., 1900-10-23
POWERS IN HARMONY.
UNITED STATES IA VORS THE
ANGLO -GERN4N PACT.
FORMAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE PRIN-
CTPLES ENUNCIATED SOON TO
BE ANNOUNCED.
BE ANNOUNCED

Washington Oct. 22-It authoritativeIy
stated tonight that the United States Govern
ment views with distinct favor the principles
enunciated in the Anglo-German agreement re-
lating to China. and that a formal response to
that effect VIII be made at an early date to the
invitation extended this Government to ac-
ce7t the principles Of the agreement. The Ger
man Charge d'Afaires, Count de Quadt. had a
conference with Secretary Hay this afternoon
presenting officially the text Of the Anglo Ger
man agreement including the invitation to the
United States TO accept the principles therein
recorded. Mr.. Hay expressed his satisfaction at
what had been done, saying he felt it to be
in complete harmony with the policy this Gov
ernment had pursued. both as to the main
tenance Of unobstructed commerce in China and
the territorial entity Of the empire, and. adding
that formal reply would be given in a day or
two Count de Quadt was gratified at these
assurances. and left the Department with the
belief that there was such an harmonious under
standing on the general principles involved that
the concurrence of the Powers near at
hand.
Before receiving the official invitation from
Germany Mr.. Hay had been fully advised Of
the agreement, and had gone over it with great
care with the President yesterday and to-day.
This was the more necessary owing to the
Presidents departure for Canton tonight The
result of these deliberations IS summed up III
the statement that the Government views the
Anglo-German agreement with favor 1t Is also
probable that some attention has been given to
the draft Of the American reply. 1t is likely to
be in the form of note of approval rather than
any formal adherence to the alliance, but this
is said to be merely matter of detail
About the only serious question which has
arisen as TO the American reply was on Clause
III Of the Anglo-German agreement. This
states that in case Of another Power making use
Of the complications in China IN order to obtain
territorial advantages Germany and Great Brit
ain reserve the right to reach preliminary un-
derstanding on the eventual step TO be taken for
the protection of their interests. This is open
TO the construction Of being a threat against
other Powers, and there was no desire on the
part Of officials here to give American adherence
TO anything in the nature Of a threat. It IS
probable that the American reply will not be
beyond accepting the principle that Germany
and Great Britain have right to agree between
themselves as to their eventual course. But
there IS not likely to be anything which will
commit this Government to accept this eventual
agreement In short, the third clause is in
terpreted to apply only to Germany and Great
Britain, there being invitation extended to
other Powers to join them in preliminary
derstanding regarding the eventual step TO be
taken.
A special meeting Of the Cabinet was held to-
day, and at its conclusion it was said that the
Anglo-German agreement IS especially satisfao-
tory TO this Government particularly as it is
RECOGNITION Of the principles laid down in Secre-
tary Hays note Of July 3 regarding the open
door in China and the maintenance Of the in
tegrity of the empire.