Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-29
CHINA IkTHE FUTURE
American Opposition to Occupation Of
Territory.
WILL PROTEST. AGAINST SEIZURE
To Insist Upon Maintaining the
Open. Door.
RIaDB 1Gus1 BE OBSERVED

The fS.eefiat the United States Is coming
to the parting Of the ways in their future
policy toward China is keehly appreciated
by President Mckinley and his advisers
1t Is beginning to be recognized that Rus
STA and Germany may attempt to seize i'm
portant territory in China by direct war
upon the empire and without regard to the
program of the other powers. 1t was the
evasiveness of the German foreign office
apparently under the inspiration of Russia
which delayed the landing of Japanese
troops when the danger to the legations
first attracted attention. The seizure OF
New-Chwang by the Russians. the embark
atoms of large forces by Germany for the
orient and various minor events strength
ened the fear in Washington that the two
northern powers have purposes very differ
ent from those of Japan. Great Britain and
the United States. The response of Ger
many to the note of Secretary Hay in favor
of the integrity of China was entirely salts
factory. but may have yelled a secret I'M
derstanding with Russia to break with the
other powers at the proper moment.
Protest Against Seizure.
II the two northern powers enter upon
war it has already been decided that
strong protest shall be made by this coun-
try. There is no. doubt that Great Britain
will point out that the purpose of the inter-
national forces occupying Pekin was the
relief of the legations and the restoration
of order. and that the liberal powers cannot
be parties to a program which goes beyond
this. If Japan and Great Britain would
sustain this country to the end in such
protest the lf6 Iri!s1 powers might be
1t is frankly Admitted on behalf of Japan.
however, that while she sincerely prefers
the American policy Of Chinese integrity.
she could.not AFFORD to see Russia seizing
ing by seizing the Country opposite For
mosa. Great Britain under such conditions
would probably Increase her forces. at
Shanghai and 6ther' ports within the Brit
ish sphere of fiifueffce and the possibility
OF an international war might confront the
world -- - i
The United States would not be party
to such war Unless some Unforeseen event
should drag them into the contest. This
country would mot probably go to the point
of war against the HeFthern powers because
the latter saw fit to- make war upon China.
Maintaining the Open Door.
There is one point. however, upon which
the Administrations Is strongly disposed to
make a stand. This is the maintenance Of
the open door IN the present territory or the
Chinese empire If territorial aggression
could not be checked by the United States
this country would ask that present treaty
rights should be respected, without regard
to the nationality of the future rulers of
China. s.'
The United States would be In an unusu-
ally strong position in demanding CONNER
cial freedom in China, even under foreign
flags. because the maintenance Of these
treaty rights is one of the chief objects of
the present intervention by all the powers
China has not only violated the sanctfty of
ambassadors by her recent performances,
but has violated specific treaties under
which all the powers were entitled to the
entry OF their products upon equal terms
ard at low rates into the Chinese empire.
OF what avail would be the Intervention
OF the United States. it will be asked if her
victories over the Chinese in common with
the other powers. are to be followed by the
withdrawal of the very privileges which are
In issue? .;
Pledges of the POwers
The United States. therefore will protest
in the strongest terms in the first instance
against any program of military conquest
and territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT in China If
these protests are not properly sustained by
other powers and prove unavailng the
United States will then rest their case upon
the pledges already secured from the Eu-
rOpean powers that no discriminating du-
ties shall be levied upon the goods of other
nations and no disabilities imposed in re-
gard to franchises which are not imposed
upon all.
1t is strongly believed that this position
can be maintained without resort to arms
by this country. Japan would undoubtedly
be ready to throw open to the commerce of
all peoples the territory which she might
feel compelled to seize, and Great Britain
would pursue her usual policy of interpos-
ing no obstacles to the competition of other
producers with her own While Russia
Germany and France might prefer the polA
icy of exclusion, the assurances they have
nj wit f1Ea
other powers if fair treatment were re-
fused, and the firm attitude Of the liberal
powers would probably compel them to &C
cept the program Of the United States.