Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-03-27
SUITE MONTANA TUESDAY EVENING. az

[ONTANA. TUESDAY EVEl
manning letter in the British series, Mr..
Choate expressing the qualification of the
secretary of state at the cordial accept
ance by the British government of the
proposals of the United States.
In the case of Germany, while forward
ing the same declaration" as was sub
mitted to the British government, the
pnraseOlogy was somewhat varied. In
this case Mr.. Hay refers to assurances
given by the Berlin government through
our ambassador when Germany leased
kiao Chou and adjacent territory in
Shan Tung, that our treaty privileges
conferred by China would not be in
frlnged or impaired, still, as the exact
nature and extent OF certain railway
and mining privileges in that country
made the subject of a treaty between
Germany and Great Britain had not been
clearly defined, the declaration is pre-
sented for approval by Germany, be
cause it is possible that serious conflicts
OF interest may at any time arise, not
only between British and German sub
jects within said area, but that the irl-
terests of our citizens may also be jeop-
ardfzed thereby
The German government is also re-
minded that the emperor of Russia has
made declaration of his purpose to.
OPCA AdHCA wan, dIlu the corporation
OF Great BRIAN and Japan is confidently
expected.
Under date of December 4, Charles
jackson, at Berlin, cabled the first Ger
man response as follows:
II have just had conversation with
the secretary Of state for foreign affairs
who stated that the politics of Germany
IN the extreme Orient are de facto the
politics of open-door and Germany pro-
poses to maintain this principle in the
future. Germany does not wish the
question to become the subject of contro-
versy between the different powers en-
gagged in China. She thinks it would be
advantageous for the United States gov
ernment to confer with other European
governments 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 govern
ment of the United States inform these
other cabinets that mo difficulty will come
from her if the other cabinets agree"
It was February 10 before the formal
answer of the German government came.
based upon a promise that satisfa ctory
written replies had been received by the
government of the United States from all
the other powers addressed. Complying
with the wish to give its answer in writ
ing, Count Won Buelow wrote as fol-
lows:
Il have the honor to inform your ex-
cellency, repeating the statements made
verbally, as follows: AS recognized by
the government of the United States of
America, according to your excelency's
note referred to above. the imperial gov
eminent has. from the beginning, not
only asserted, but also practically car
ried out to the fullest extent, i'm its Chi
nese possessions, absolute equality of
treatment of all nations with regard to
trade, navigation and commerce. The i'm
perial government entertains no thought
of departing in the future from this
principle, which at once excludes any
prejudicial or Instantaneous CONNER
cial treatment of the United States of
America, so long as it is not forced to do
so on account of considerations of recip-
rocity by a divergence from it by other
governments. If, therefore, the other
powers interested in the industrial de-
velopment of the Chinese empire are
willing to recognize the same principles,
this can only be desired by the imperial
government, which in this case, upon be-
ing requested. will gladly be ready to
participate with the United States of
America and the other powers in an
agreement made upon these lines, by
which the same rights are reciprocally
secured"
The invitation to Russia to subscribe
to the agreemnt was prefaced by reci-
ldl VI tie ItuSSIdH dSSuTdUCe mat Am
erican interests in that part of China
would not be affected by the lease of Port
Arthur, Talien Wan and adjacent ter
ritOry and a statement that however
gratifying such an assurance might be,
the business world much desired a fur
ther, clearer and moral definition.
The Russian answer, reciting the prom
ises to Dalny (Talien Wan) which it had
redeemed by opening that port, pledges
itself In the following language:
"As to the reports now opened, or here
after to be opened to foreign commerce
by the Chinese government and which
lie beyond the territory leased to Russia,
the settlement of the question of custom
duties belongs to China herselc ana the
imperial government has no intention
whatever of claiming any privileges for
eigners. It is to be understood, how
ever, that this assurance of the imperial
government is given upon condition that
similar declaration shall be made by
other powers interested in China.
with the conviction that this reply is
such as to satisfy the inquiry made in the
Aforementioned note, The imperial gov
the wishes of the American government. |
especially as it attaches the highest val
ue to anything that may strengthen and
consolidate the traditional relations of i
friendship existing between the two |
countries"
The French note was exceedingly brief. !
1t was received Dec. 16 last, from M. |
Delcasse, the minister for foreign affairs
by Ambassador Porter and It is as fol- |
lows:
1.-The declarations which I made in the
chamber, on the Gath Of November last
and which had occasion to recall to Won |
since then. show clearly the sentiments |