New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-21
AN ANGLO-GERMAN AGREEMENT
THE TWO POWERS UNDERTAKE TO PRESERVE THE IN
TEGRITY OF CHINA AND KEEP THE "OPEN DOOR,"
TRADE RIGHTS SECURED.
THE ANGLO-GERMAN AGREEMENT AP
PROVED IN WASHINGTON.

Washington. Oct. 20-The State Department
has not yet been advised officially of the terms
of the alliance reported to have been reached
between Germany and Great Britain to maintain
the territorial integrity of China and to keep
ports open. While the move gives general salts
faction here. the officials say that it probably is
incorrect to call 1t an alliance. what probably
has happened, they say, has been a reaffirma-
ton OF principles already agreed upon, not only
between England and Germany but between
all the great Powers interested In China Again.
the officials point to Secretary Hays note Of
July B. defining the position OF the United States
and declaring it to be It's policy among other
things, to preserve Chinese territorial and ad-
ministrative entity protect all rights guaranteed
to friendly Powers by treaty and international
law. and safeguard for the world the principle
Of equal and impartial trade with all parts of the
Chinese Empire" The records show that all
the great Powers accepted the principle of this
guarantee OF territorial integrity. Their ex-
pressions in regard to commercial freedom
were not quite so explicit as in the case Of ter
ritorial integrity, and 1t appears from a study
OF the Anglo-German agreement that particular
care has now been taken to clear up any doubt
on this point. Probably Germany was the first
to engage with England, because Of her anxiety
to preserve for German trade the important COM
merce she mas built up on the Yangtse River
which might fall TO England in division The
especial reference made in the agreement to
river commerce bears out this inference.
The United States will promptly adhere to the
principles contained in this agreement, as it is
directly in the line Of American aspirations If
Russia be brought to accept its terms as
binding there can be no doubt, according to the
official view here, that a substantial progress
viii be made toward a final settlement of the
trouble in China.
COMMENTS OF DIPLOMATS.
The nglo-German alliance attracted much in
terest in diplomatic quarters, and was the chief
subject Of discussion at the embassies and lega-
tions. The Franco-Russian view was that the
agreement did not add materially to the declara-
tons already made by Russia and France con-
corning the preservation OF Chinas territorial
integrity. The japanese Minister regarded the
agreement step in the right direction and
said that 1t would commend itself to the
Japanese Government and receive its approval
The German ChaEGz 6'Affs3r,r. Cts.s aaat
had not been advised Of +hr arrangement, anu
under ths circumstances was not disposed to
discuss it. The Chinese Minister said:
This is a most important movement, and I
hope ii Will lead to a complete settlement. The
esIteInent IS exactly IN hhe Win the american
position laid down in Secretary Hays note Of
July 3, to which all of the Governments gave
their adherence; but coming at this time from
two such powerful nations the agreement ought
to exert strong influence toward a settlement
In fact, the United States Russia, France and
Japan having taken the same position favorable
to the territorial integrity OF China, there ap-
lears to be nothing in the way Of a complete
acceptance of this principle. The second dec
laration Of the agreement is particularly i'm
portant, and, having gone that far, l wish that
the two parties to the agreement had proceeded
on the same lines. If not to prevent, at least to
deter. other nations from using the present COM
plications a means OF securing territorial ex-
tension. Still. even IN it's present form. the
agreement is a most satisfactory development in
the situation. And now that the nations are
agreed on these principles let them act them
out.