The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-28

between British and German subjects
/ within said area, but that the interests
of our citizens may also be jeopardized
| thereby.
Earnestly DESTROYS to remove any cause
| OF irritation and to ensure at the same
! time to the commerce OF all nations in
China the undoubted benefits which should
accrue from a formal recognition by the
various powers claiming spheres Of in
terest that they shall enjoy perfect equal
! ity Of treatment for their commerce and
] navigation within such Spheres the Gov
eminent Of the United States would be
I pleased 10 see His German Majesty's Gov
eminent give formal assurances. and lend
/ its cooperation in securing like assur-
ances from the other interested powers,
[ that each within its respective sphere Of
! whatever influence
/ "First-Will in no way interfere with any
/ treaty port or any vested interest within
any so-called sphere Of interest or leased
( territory il may have in China
"Second-That the Chinese treaty tariff
Z Of the time being shall apply to all mer-
chandise landed or shipped to all such
ports as are within said sphere of interest
(unless they be free portso no matter to
what nationality it may belong and that
E
! Chinese Government
Third That it will levy no higher har-
Dor dues on vessels Of another nationality
freQuenting any port in such sphere
than shall be levied on vessels Of It's own
nationality, and 10 higher railroad charges
over lines built controlled, or operated
within its sphere on merchandise be
longing 10 citizens or subjects Of other ma
tioualiues transported through such
sphere than shall be levied on similar
merchandise belonging 10 its own ma
tioEals transported over equal distances.
The liberal policy pursued by His Impe-
rial German Majesty in declaring Kiao-
Chou a free port and 10 aiding the Chinese
Government in the establishment there OF
a custom house are SO clearly in line with
the proposition which this Government is
anxious TO see recognized that il enter
tains the strongest hope that Germany will
give its acceptance and hearty support.
The commercial interests Of Great Brit
ain and Japan will be so clearly served by
the desired declaration Of intentions and
The views Of the Governments Of these
countries as 10 the desirability OF the adop-
t.on Of measures ensuring the benefits Of
equality Of treatment OF all foreign trade
throughout China are 50 similar to those
entertained by the United States that their
acceptance Of the propositions herein out
lined and their cooperation IN advocating
their adoption by the other powers can be
confidently expected. Z enclose herewith
copy Of the instruction which I have sent
10 NJ. Choate on the subject
In view Of the present Favorable coudi-
lions. you are instructed 10 submit the
above considerations TO His Imperial Maj
ostys Minister for Foreign Affairs and to
reques, his early consideration Of the sub
ject" t--.
The answer of Germany was the follow
ing note to Ambassador White. from
Count Won Buelow MnisteF-of Foreign AZ
fairs;
Foreign Office,
Berlin. February 70. 1900.
Mr.. Ambassador: Your eScellency in
formed me. in a memorandum presented
on the Gath Of last month. that the Gov
eminent Of the United States Of America
had received satisfactory written replies
from all the powers 20 which an enquiry
had been addressed similar to that con-
tanned in your eXcellency's note OF Sep
TENDER % last. in regard 10 the policy Of
the open door in China. While referring
10 this. your eEeellenCy thereupOn eX-
pressed the wish that the Imperial Gov
eminent would now also give its answer
in writing
Gladly complying with this wish.
have the honor TO inform your eNcellency,
repeating the statements already made
verbally. as follows As recognized by
the Government Of the United States OF
America, according 10 your excellency's
note referred 10 above. the Imperial Gov
eminent has from the beginning. not only
asserted but also practically carried out
to the fullest extent in its Chinese pos
sessions absolute equality OF treatment Of
all nations with regard TO trade naviga-
ton, and commerce The Imperial Gov
eminent entertains no thought Of depart
ing in the future from this principle which
at once excludes any prejudicial or disad
vantageous commercial treatment Of the
citizens Of the United States Of America.
so long as IL is not forced to do so, on ac-
count OF considerations Of reciprocity. by
divergence from il by other Govern
ments. II. therefore. the other powers in
terested 10 the industrial development Of
the Chinese Empire are willing to recog
nize the same principles. this can only be
desired by he Imperial Government, which
In this case, upon being requested will
gladly be ready to participate with the
United States of America and the other
powers in an agreement made uuon these
lines. by which the same rights are rcci-
procally secured.
81 avail myself. etc. BUELOE."
IN tnc correspondence gwen WIN treat
Britain, The first communication is
note from Ambassador ChOate TO Lord
Salisbury. IL is The longest commuuiya-
ton iu The series. This note follows
Embassy Of the United States.
London. Sept. p 1893
My Lord | am instructed by the Sec
Rotary Of State to present to your lord
ship a matter which the President regards
as of great and equal Importance TO Great
Britain and the United States-in the
maintenance OF trade and commerce In the
East in which the interest OF the two
nations differs. not IN chREacter, but in
/ degree only-and to ask for faction on the
part Of Her Majesty's Government which
the President conceiyes to be In exact ac-
cord with its uniformly declared policy
| and traditions. and which will greatly
promote the welfare Of commerce
He understands It 10 be the settled
policy and purpose Of Great Britain not
to use any privileges which may be grant
ed to It in China as means OF excluding
any commercial rivals. and that free
dom Of trade for II IN that Empire means
freedom OF trade for all the world alike.
Her Majesty's Government. while conced-
ing by formal agreements with Germany
and Russia the possession of spheres OF
influence or interest in China, in which
they are TO enjoy especial rights and
privileges, particularly in respect TO rail-