The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-10-23
Thai AnfIo-German Alliance.

There can hardly be two opinions as 10
the duty OF the United States in eonnee-
ton with the Anglo-German alliance,
That compact, although upon the surface
IL refers TO China alone. is one which may
involve all Europe in the near future.
another. Specifically considered, Il means
| that Germany and England have nobly
agreed 20 advocate the integrity Of the
Chinese Empire and to uphold the Chi
nese government. Having already seized
such provinces and seaports as they think
necessary. they now propose TO put stop
TO the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of China. Read be-
tween the lines, IL means a threat 10 Rus
STA and TO France. Mark the lofty altru-
ism OF the firstly and the secondly"
and then measure the evil omen Of the
thirdly
The terms Of this agreement. which was ar
rived at October ls. between Lord Salisbury and
Count Won Hatzfeldt. German Ambassador TO Eng
land, are officially given cut as follows:
THE German government and her British
their interests in China and their rights under
listing treaties. have agreed to observe the follow
Ing principles regarding mutual policy in China:
''Firstly. It is 8 matter Of joint permanent IN
teruational interest that the ports the rivers and
littOral OF China should remain free and open 10
trade and to every other legitimate form Of eco
nomie activity for the peoples OF all countries with
"A
their part to uphold the same for all Chinese terri.
tory as far they can exercise influence.
Secondly. Both governments agree that they
will not. on their part. make use Of the present
complication te obtain for themselves any terri
torial advantage in Chinese dominion and will d.
rect their policy toward maintaining undiminished
the territorial condition of the Chinese empire.
Thirdly. In case Of another power making use
OF the complications in China in order to obtain
under any form whatever such territorial sdyan-
tages, the two contracting parties them
selves the right to come TO a preliminary under
standing regarding the eventual step to be taken
for the protection Of their interests in China
'Fourthly. The two governments will communi-
cate this agreement to the other powers interested
especially Austria Hungary. France, italy, Japan.
Russia. and the United States. and invite ilsn to
accept the principles recorded in it,
This government declared some months
ago that it had no plans involving the
partition Of the Chinese Empire or the
destruction of fits existing institutions,
but sought only the rescue of beleaguered
representatives and citizens and, at the
proper time, suitable indemnity for past
outrages and secure guarantees for the
future. We can, therefore. consistently
and conscientiously approve the princi-
pies involved in firstly and secondly"
Apparently, those clauses reflect our own
ideas with fidelity. They contemplate the
opening of China to the trade of all coun-
tries upon terms Of perfect equality. This
means ''the open door," of which we have
heard so much, and-taking those declaTa-
lions in good faith-promises everything
we have any right 10 expect. We should
compliment and congratulate Germany
and England and let it go at that
But surely, there is no place for the
United States in this ominous alliance.
Our duty ends with the formal approval
of firstly and secondly" At thirdly
We diverge. The British newspapers hail
the alliance as "a triumph Of British
diplomacy" 1t is, it is. The German
newspapers laud it as "a triumph Of Ger
man diplomacy" We fully agree TO that
But Is this country ready to join in the
alliance and to play chorus to the Anglo
German menace against France md Rus
sia? Are We, in a word, willing to plunge
into this sinister and forbidding slough
of European intrigue and jealousy?