The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-03-28

NANVA w hNN hN NhAhsS iAhfANNN NHNN
similar declaration Is made by other
governments concerned"
A note OF acknowledgement was the
remaining letter in the British series.
Mr., Choate expressing the gratinoa.
ton Of the secretary of state at the
cordial acceptance by the British gov.
crnmen, of the proposals ot the Uni.
ted states,
In the ease OF Germany, while for
warding the same declaration as was
submitted to the British government,
the phraseology was somewhat var
led, In this case Mr.. Hay refers to
assurances given by the Berlin govern
ment through our ambassador when
Germany leased Kiao Chou and adja-
cent territory in shan Tung, that our
treaty privileges conferred by China
would not be infringed on or impaired
Still as the exact nature and extent
OF certain railway and mining prlvi-
leges in that country made the subject
OF a treaty between Germany and
Great Britain had not been defined. the
declaration is presented for approval
by Germany because It is possible that
serious conflicts OF interest may at
any time arise not only between Brit
ish and German subjects within said
area, but that the interests of our
citizens may also be leoparilted there
uy.H
The German government; is also re-
minded that the emperor OF Russia has
made a declaration OF his purpose to
open Talien Wan and the cooperation
Of Great Britain and Japan Is conf
IDENTIFY expected,
Under date of December 4, Charge
Jackson, at Berlin, Cabled the first
Gernan response as follows;
Il have just had conversation with
the secretary OF state tor foreign af-
fairs. who stated that the politics of
Germany In the extreme orient are de-
facto, the politics Of the open door and
Germany proposes to maintain this
principle in the future. Germany does
not wish the question TO become the
subject OF controversy between the
different powers engaged in China.
She thinks It would be advantageous
for the United States government to
confer with other European govern
ments having interests in China, II
the other cabinets adhere to the pro-
posal Of the United States government.
Germany will raise no objection and
Germany is willing to have the gov
ernment OF the United States inform
these other cabinets that no difficulty
viii come from her II the other cabi-
nets agree
1t was February 10 before the formal
answer of the German government
came. based upon a promise that sat
lsfaetory written replies had been re-
ceiyed by the government OF the Uni
ted States from all the other powers
addressed. Complying with the wish to
give its answer in writing, Count Won
BuelOw wrote as follows:
IL have the honor to inform your
excellency, repeating the statements
made verbally. as follows:
AS recognized by the government OF
the United States Of America, accord
ing to your excellency's note referred
TO above, the imperial government has,
from the beginning, not only asserted
but also practically carried out to the
fullest extent, in its Chinese posses
siOns, absolute equality Of treatment
of all nations with regard to trade,
navigation and commerce. The imper-
ial government entertains no thought
OF departing in the future from this
principle, which at once excludes any
prejudicial or disadvantageous com
mercial treatment OF the citizens Of the
United States Of America, so long as
it is not forced to do So on account
Of considerations of reciprocity, by a
divergence from it by other govern
lnents.
IF, therefore, the other powers in
teresled in the Industrial development
of the Chinese empire are willing to
recognize the same principle, this can
only be desired by the imperial govern
ment, which in this case upon being
requested will gladly be ready to par
ticipate in an agreement made upon
these lines, by which the same rights
are reciprocally secured"
The invitation to Russia TO subscribe
TO the agreement was prefaced by a
recital Of the Russian assurance that
American interests in that part Of Chi
na would not be affected by the lease
OF Port Arthur, Talien Wan and ad-
Jacent territory, and statement that
however gratifying such an assurance
might be, the business world Of the
United States much desired fur
tner, clearer and moral definition.
The Russian answer, recltlng the
promises to Dalny (Talien WanJ which !
it had redeemed by opening that port,
pledges itself in the following lam
guage:
AS to the ports now opened, or here
after to be opened TO foreign commerce
by the Chinese government and which !
lie beyond the territory lsased to Rus
sia, the settlement Of the question Of
custom duties belongs TO China her
self and the imperial government has
no intention whatever Of claiming any
privileges for its own subjects to the
exclusion Of foreigners. 1t is to be
understood, however, that this assur-
opca ~ tho fp,uerioI ,,o-,arprnavt 90