Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-15
"Open Door" Policy Menacsd by the
Dowagsr Empress.
STATE DEPARTMENT NOTIFIED
This Government VIII Send War
ship to Seat Of Discord.
BOXERS" ATTACK MISSIONS

SHANGHAI, March 15.-The American
Association here telegraphed to the United
States government today that the attitude
of the empress dowager toward the re-
formers will upset the 'open door policy.
They also say rebellion and anarchy are
| expected to the detriment Of foreign inter-
ests, and advocate prompt concerted action
on the part of the powers.
The China Association will appeal to the
| British minister, Sir Claude NJ. Macdonald,
on the same subject
state Department Notified.
The cabegram from the American AS
sociaton referred to has been received at
the State Department. 1t has not yet been
acted upon but is under serious consdera-
ton. At first reading it is not clear just
what connection exists between the atti-
tude of the Chinese empress dowager
toward the reform element in China and
the open door policy, in which the United
States, with the remainder of the civilized
world. is interested. 1t is recalled. however,
that the empress dowager is prosecuting
with the most relentless hatred the reform
party, going far as to resort to the bar
barous practice of offering u large sum of
money for the assassination of leading re-
formers.
Now, this reform element in China is be-
ieved to include nearly all Of the Chinese
civilized nation, following in the footsteps
of Japan. They realize that this can be
done only with the help of foreigners. and
are therefore disposed to the open door
as one Of the measures to liberaliZe and
enlighten China through the introduction
of foreign capital and foreign methods.
1t is assumed that the basis of this repre-
sentation from the American Association is
an apprehension that the conservative party
surrounding the empress dowager, in sat
isfying their animosity against the reform
ers. will excite the dormant anti-foreign
feeling among the masses of Chinese to a
degree that will make the open door i'm
possible of attainment
No Advfees From Minister COnger.
1t is curious fact that our minister 70
China. Mr.. Conger, has so far made no
representations to the State Depar rtment
touching this subject. He has reported to
the department tha. serious attacks have
been made upon the American missions in
Shantung by the Boxers meaning by
that term powerful and numerous anti
foreign league of Chinese. 1t is this same
organization which has attacked some OF
the French missionaries in that quarter Of
China. and have even carried their opera
tions to the very doors of kiau Chau, the
German holding in north China.
Wnrship to BE Sent.
Upon the minister's representations the
State Department has decided that an
American warship shall be dispatched from
the fleet al Manila to the nearest convenient
port to the seat of discord. probably in this
case Taku, at the mouth of the Pieho river,
or Wei Hal Wei. 1t Is fully expected that
the Chinese government itself will be able
TO reprass the Boxers without any action
the part of the American warship, but
the mere presence of such vessel has always
had a salutary effect in past disturbances
1t is distinctly understood, however. that
this little naval demon stration will have no
connection whatever with the struggle now
going on between the empress dowager5 )
party and the reformers. for this may be
regarded a matter of purely internal
politics, with which our government has no
right to concern itself 1t Is probable, there
fore, that this decision our part indicates
the character of the response that will be
made by the Department of State to the
cablegram from the American Association.