Evening star., 1900-03-23
OUR CHINESE TRADE
Value of Assurances From the Powers
Questioned.
CONFLICTING IDEAS REGARDING THEM
Object of Mr.. Cummings Resolu-
ton Calling for Correspondence.
REAL AIMOF THE OPEN DOOR

The question is being anxiously asked
whether We have actually the open door
assurances which Mr. Hay sought from the
powers.
II the resolution of Mr.. Cummings OF
New York calling on the State Department
for correspondence on the subject of the
open door of China leads to that corre-
spondence being made public it will relieve
a great deal of uncertainty as to what has
actually been accomplished by the State
Department. 1t has for some time been
expected that a message would be sent to
Congress on this subject, including the
correspondence, without request from
either house for information. The fact
that this has not been done leads to the
inference that the matter is not yet quite
in shape for a full disclosure; but 1t Is
probable that the department will not wait
for the adoption of the Cummings resoiu-
ton before making a complete announce
ment-
The proposition has changed so much in
point of discussion since the matter first
came up that it is difficult to determine
lust how it stands at this time. 1t Is un-
certain whether the proposition itself has
been modified from time to time so as to
adjust il to the difficulties encountered. or
whether it Is merely that the real point
has been lost sight of by those discussing
in more recent discussion robs 1t of most OF
its importance
Mr. Foraker's association of the open door
In China with the question OF our relatlons
toward our own new possessions was either
based on an utter apprehension or What
has been done in the matter of the open
door or else the attitude of the State De-
partment has very materially changed since
the subject was first taken up by MIR. Hay.
Still more at variance with what were
understood to be the facts is statement
rih tod 70 linlnmar
ance given by Germany and Russia to the
United States is that the open door shall
be respected as long as the sovereignty OF
China remains over the territory in ques-
ton
Secretary Hays Aim at the Outset.
There was no suggestion by Mr.. Hay at
the outset that the Philippines were in any
way involved in the question of an open
door in China inasmuch as the Philippines
being part of the United States territory
there would be no more occasion for an
open door there than in New York or Phila-
delphia. except for the provision in the
treaty with Spain that Spain snail enjoy
for ten years the same commercial privi-
leges as to the islands that We enjoy, this
provision being based on an entirely diff
ferent principle from that governing the
open door in China
As for ;he alleged assurance of Russia
and Germany that the open door will be
respected as long China retains the SOW
OF such assurance, and that is not what
was sought when correspondence on the
subject was initiated.
The negotiations for a permanent open
door were suggested by the agitation of
the partition of China and the occupation
os spheres of influence This government
could not well participate in such move
ment. and ii appeared that partition in
which We did not participate would inevi-
tably lead 10 the loss of privileges which
We now enjoy, unless those privileges Were
safeguarled in some way What Mr.. Hay
sought was rot to interfere with the move
rnents OF other powers. but 10 secure the
preservation of our privileges whatever dis
position might be made of the Chinese en-
pire or any part of it. 1t was The uncer-
ia nty Of the Chinese sovereignty that made
me understanding on this point in1por-
tant so TO prevent our interests being
sacrificed by any change that might occur
through the aggression of foreign powers,
Assurances by the Powers.
To secure our acauiescence the powers
gave verbal assurances that in whatever
might be done with regard to China our in
terests would BE- fully protected. To put
this in a more substantial form Mr.. Hay
proposed have written agreement by
all the powers that the open door should
be preserved TO permanently, whether
not the territory passed under the con-
troll of one or the other OF several of the
powers. 1t was found not to be practicable
to put this in the form of joint agreement,
which would have to be in the nature of a
treaty. and. instead. written commitments
from the several powers We're sought. and.
ii is said, have been obtained.
II these assurances go no further than 20
guarantee TO us the open door. while the
sovereignty of China remains undisturbed
the negotiations have been a failure.
While it has been denied that the ad-
ministration cortemplates sending a strong
fleet to Chinese waters or taking other such
steps to protect our interests in China, some
l.-.t1v
the near future if no better assurances
than those recently indicated have been
obtained through the open door negotia-
lions