Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-11-01
"OPEN DOOR" IN CHINA
Text Of the Britlsh-German Agreement
Respecting 1t Made Public.
GIVEN OUT BY UNITED STATES
Also the Answer Sent by This
Government.
IS SIMILAR TO THE AMERICAN POLICY
Associated Press Dispatch by Special Wires.

Associated Press Dispatch by Special Wires
Washington, Oct. 31.-The State
Department today made public the
British German agreement respecting
the maintenance of the "open door"
and territorial integrity Of China,
with the answer of the United States
government sent in duplicate to each
OF the principals to tho agreement
Mr.. Hay to Lord Pauncefote:
Department of State, Washington, Oct. 20,
1900. -Excellency: ] have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of " ur note of the
25d OF October, enclosing the text of an
agreement between Great Britain and Ger.
many relating to affairs in China, which
was signed in London on the 10th inst. by
the Marquis OF Salisbury and the German
Ambassador on behalf of their respective
governments, and inviting the acceptancs
by the United States of the principles rs-
corded in that agreement.
These principles are: -0a
'First--It is a matter of joint and per-
manent international interest that the
ports on the rivers and littoral of China
should remain free and open to trade and
every other Legitimate form OF economic
activity for the nationals of all countries
without distinction. and the two govern
msnts agree on their part to uphold tho
same for all Chinese territory SO far as they
can exercise influence.
"Second-Her Britannia Majesty's gov
eminent and the Imperial German govern
ment will not on their part make use of the
present complication to obtain for them
selves any territorial advantages in Chinese
dominions, and will direct their policy
toward maintaining undiminished and ter
ritorial condition of The Chinese Empire. !"
The United States have. heretofore made
known their adoption of both these prirfci-
pies. During the last yesr, this government
invited the Powers interested IN China to
JOIN IN an expression of views and purposes
Ill the direction of impartial trade with thar
country, and received satisfactory 8ssur-
ances to that effect from all OF them.
When the recent troubles were at their
height, this government, on the I'd of July,
once more snade an announcement of Its
noltcy regarding impartial trade and the
integrity of the Chinese Empire, and had
ne qualification ct Learning. that all the
Powers held similar views And since that
time, the most CRAFTY ng harmony has ex-
lsted among all the nations Concerned as to
the ends to be pursued, and there has been
little divergence Of opinion as to the details
OF the course to be followed. 1t is, there
Tore, with much satisfaction that the Presi.
dent directs me to inform you of the full
sympathy OF this government with those OF
Her Britannia Majesty and the German
Emperor In the principles set forth in the
clauses OF the agreement above cited.
The third clause of the agreement pro-
vided:
"Third-In case of another Power max
ing use of the complications in China in
order to obtain under any form whatever
such territorial advantages, the two cou-
tractiDg parties reserve TO themselves the
right to come to preliminary understand
ing as to the eventual steps to be taken for
the protection OF their own interests in
China
As this clause refers to q reciprocal mr.
rangement between the two high contract.
ing Powers, the government of the United
States does not regard itself as called upon
to express an opinion In respect to 1t.
have, &C., John Hay.
A similar note mutatis mutandisswas
addressed on the same day by tho
Secretary of State to the Imperial
German charge d'affairs.