The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19
MR.. MONDELL'S VIEWS.
The Wyoming Representative Talk.
About Chinese situation.

Representative MoHdeH Of Wyoming, a
member of the House COMMITTEE on Mill
tary Affairs. called at the War Depart
ment yesterday and held a consultation
with Secretary Root. In speaking of the
Chinese troubles he warmly praised the
work of the War Department and that Of
the State Department.
Il have no doubt" he said, that the
American forces viii be withdrawn as soon
as circumstances will admit of it,. and that
the settlement with China will be through
diplomacy. OF course. full and complete
indemnity must be by China. but I do
not believe that there viii be any occasion
feT the United States to join with foreign
powers in a war against China.
III the partition of China is attempted.
while l do net believe the United States
would attempt to enforce its policy by any
show of force. a firm and earnest pro-
test would undoubtedly be made. In this
protest l believe that some of the powers
would join. and if japan an1 England
should unite with the United States in the
policy TO maintain the integrity of Chipa,
l do not believe that a plan of partition
would be persisted in especially in view
OF the obligation of all the powers 20
maintain the open door. even if they did
take possession CT Chinese territory. Ger
tainly. the open door agreemnt should be
potent as an influence to sustain our pres
ent policy in China.
The great value of the agreement with
the powers TO maintain the open door in
China, which was secured by Secretary
Hay some time ago. must now be apparent,
as is also the wisdom of the declaration OF
policy by this Government at the very out
break Of the present trouble. Whatever
may be the disposition of the other for
eign powers with reference to the partition
OF China. they are under moral obligation
by reason of the open door agreement to
maint tain equal commercial privileges and
freedom of commerce, and the fact that
they are thus barred from commercial
advantage through the possession of terri
tory must take away the principal tempta
tiol through the partition Of China Tie
possession of territory which does not
carry with it commercial advantages which
are not eIiJGgsd alike ny all the powers
would be Of no great value to any nation.
and all the powers are confronted with
the fact that any scheme for the partition
of China must involve the strongest dis
approval OF the United States.
The declaration of Secretary Hay at the
outset of the present trouble that it is the
policy Of this Government to preserve
Chinas territorial and administrative in
tegrily is a notice TO all the powers, and IL
! have read the newspapers correctly the
powers have generally tacitly concuFred
in this.
In dealing with China herself the
United States Is in an excellent position.
The open door agreement lends an element
Of security 10 China in her territorial in
tegrity; the declaration OF policy by the
State Department is in China's best in
terests, as well as our own. and we were
peculiarly fortunate in the wisdom of our
naval commander IN declining to partici-
pate in the attack upon the Taku forts,
and, in fact. both our naval and orr Mill
tary commanders have RETAINED from any
act of wanton aggression against China.
their course being merely what was de-
manded for the protection Of American in
erests and American lives the rescue of
BUR legation and self-preservation."