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

| same time sought to maintain what is
commonly called the 'open-door' policy. to
! secure to the commerce and navigation OF
| all nations equality of treatment within
such spheres. The maintenance of this
| policy is alike urgently demanded by the
| commercial communities of our two ma
| tions, as it is justly held by them to be
| the only one which will Improve existing
conditions. enable them to maintain their
! positions in the markets OF China, and
! extend their future operations.
While the Government of the United
I States will in no way commit itself to any
| recognition of the exclusive rights of any
| power within or control over any portion
of the Chinese Empire under such agree
ments as have been recently made II can
not conceal its approximations that there is
| danger of complications arising between
the treaty powers which may imperil the
rights ensured to the United States by its
| treaties with China.
1T is the sincere desire of my Govern
ment that the interests of its citizens may
not be prejudiced through exclusive treat
ment by any of the controlling powers
within their respective spheres OF inter-
ests in China, and it hopes to retain there
| an open market for all the worlds com
merce. remove dangerous sources of inter
national irritation, and thereby hasten
united action of the powers at Pekin 10
promote administrative reforms so greatly
needed for Strengthening the Imperial
Government and maintaining the integrity
OF China in which it believes the whole
western world is alike concerned. II be-
| lieves that such a result may be greatly
aided and advanced by declarations by the
various powers claiming spheres of inter
est in China as 10 their intentions in re-
gard TO the treatment of foreign trade and
commerce therein. and that the present is
a very favorable moment for informing Her
Maiestys Government of the desire OF the
United States TO have II make on its own
| part and TO lend its powerful support in
the effort to obtain from each of the va
rious powers claiming spheres OF interest
in China declaration substantially to the
following effect:
u. That it will in no wise interfere with
any treaty port or any vested interest
within any o-called sphere of interest
or leased territory it may have in China.
20. That the Chinese treaty tariff of the
time being shall apply to all merchandise
landed or shipped to all such ports as are
within such spheres of interest tunless
they be free pCrts). no matter to what
nationality It may belong, and that duties
so leviable shall be collected by the Chi
nese Government
''3. That it will levy no higher harbor
dues on vessels of another nationality FREE
quenting any port in such sphere than
shall be levied on vessels of its own ma
tionality, and no higher railroad charges
over lines built controlled. or operated
within its sphere on merchandise belong
ing to citizens or subjects of other ma
tionalities transported through such
sphere than shall be levied on similar
merchandise belonging to its own nationals
transported over equal distances.
The President has strong reason to
believe that the Governments of both Rus
STA and Germany will cooperate in such
an understanding as is here proposed. The
recent ukase of His Majesty the En-
peror of Russia. declaring the port of Ia
lienwan open TO the merchaEt ships of
all nations during the whole term of the
lease under which il is to be held by
Russia removes all uncertainty as to the
liberal and conciliatory policy of that
power, and justifies the expectation that
His Majesty would accede to the aimlar
request of the United States now being
presented to him and make the desired
declaration.
The recent action of Germany in de-
clsring the port of KIao- Chou free port
and the aid which its Government has
given China in establishing there a Chi
nese custom house, coupled with oral as
suranees given the United States by Ger
many that the interests of the United
States and its citizens within its sphere
would in no wise be affected by its occu-
patton of this portion OF the province of
Shantung, encourage the belief that little
opposition is TO be Anticipated to the
Presidents request for a similar declara-
tion from that power.
1T is needless also to add that Japan,
the power next most largely interested in
the trade of China. must be in entire SYM
pathy with the views here expressed. and
that its interests will be largely served
by the proposed arrangement; and the
declarations of its statesmen within the
last year are so entirely in line with it
that the cooperation of that power is
confidently relied upon.
1T is therefore with the greatest pleas
ure that present this matter TO your
lordship's attention and urge its prompt
consideration by Her Majestys Govern
ment. believing that the action is in en-
tire harmony with it's consistent theory
and purpose and that II Will greatly re-
dound to the benefit and advantage of all
commercial nations alike. The prompt and
sympathetic cooperation OF Her Majestys
Government with The United States in this
important matter win be very potent in
promoting its adoption by all tine powers
concerned. l have, etc.
JOSEPH H. CHOATE.''
Lord Salisbury Reply.
Lord Salisbury's final reply was:
Your Exceilency: With reference to
my note of September % last, l have the
honor to state that l have carefully con
sidered, in communication with my col
leagues. the proposal contained in your
excellencys note of September % that a
declaration should be made by foreign
powers claiming spheres of interest in
China as to their Intentions in regard to
the treatment of foreign trade and interest
therein.
Il have much pleasure in informing
your excellency that Her Majesty's Gov
eminent will be prepared TO make a dec
laration in the sense desired by your Gov
eminent in regard TO the leased territory
OF Wei HaiWei and all territory in China
which may hereafter be acquired by Great
Britain ov lease or otherwise, and all
spheres Of interest now held or that may
hereafter be held by her in China, pro-
vided that d similar declaration is made
by other powers concerned. | have etc,
SALISBURY"
Viscount Venesta the Italian Minister for
Foreign Affairs, replied briefly In a note
TO Mr.. Draper, dated January 7. 1900. he
said. after referring 10 information from
Mr. Draper that fdI -tie. powers con
suited" by the Washington Government
in the open door question had given ia
vorable reply the Minister says:
II take pleasure. in saying that the Gov
ernment OF the King adheres willingly 10
the proposals set forth in said note of
December g. 1.-THE note written by Mr..
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