The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-20
OPEN TO THE WORLD
Understanding Also Applies to
the Chinese Ports.
A Hint Thrown Out to Powers
With Other Views.

London. Oct. 2O.-Germany and Eng
land have formed an alliance to main
tain territorial integrity Of China and
to keep ports open
The terms of this agreement which
was arrived at October 16 between Lord
Salisbury and Count Won Hatzfeldt.
German ambassador to England. are Off
cially given out as follows:
The German government and her Brit
ish majesty's government being desirous
TO maintain their interests in China and
their rights under existing treaties have
agreed to observe the following prin-
ciples regarding a mutual policy in
China:
'First-It is a matter of joint peT.man-
ent interest that the ports on the rivers
and literal Of China should remain free
and open TO trade and to every other
legitimate form Of economic activity for
the peoples of all countries without dis
tinction; and the two governments agree
on their part to uphold the same for all
Chinese territory as far as they can ex-
ercise influence.
.-Second1y-Bothe . governments agree
that they will not on their part make
use OF the present complication to OBJ
tain for themselves any territorial ad-
vantage in Chinese dominion and viii
direct their policy towards maintaining
undiminished. the territorial condition
of the Chinese empire.
''Thirdly-In case of another power
making use of the complications in
China in order to obtain under any form
whatever such territorial advantages,
the two contracting parties reserve to
themselves the right to come to pre-
-
eventual step to be taken for the pro-
lection OF their own interests in China.
..Fourthly-The two governments will
communicate this agreement to the other
powers interested. especially Austria
Hungary, France. Italy, Japan, Russia
and the United States and invite them
to accept the principles recorded in it. %
IT SUITS UNCLE SAM
Washington, oct. 2O.-The state de-
partment here has not yet been advised
officially Of the terms of the alliance re-
ported from London to have been reach
ed between Germany and England to
maintain territorial integrity of China
and to keep ports Open While the move
gives general satisfaction here the Off
cials say that it is probably a misnomer
to call it an alliance. What probably
has happened, they say, has been re-
affirmation of principles already agreed
upon not only between England and
Germany, but between all of the great
powers interested in China.
Again the officials point to the note of
Secretary Hay. Of July 3, defining the
position of the United States. and de-
claring it to be its policy among other
things to preserve Chinese territorial
and administrative entity, protect all
rights guaranteed to friendly powers by
treaty and international law and safe
guard for the world the principle of
equal and impartial trade with all parts
OF the Chinese empire"
The records show that all the great
powers accepted the principle of this
guarantee OF territorial integrity.
Their expressions on the point of COM
nercial freedom were not quite as eX-
pHcit as in the case Of territorial in
tegrity and it appears from a study of
the British German agreement above re-
ferred to that particular care has now
been taken to clear up any doubt on this
point. Porbably Germany was the first
to engage with England on this point,
because OF her anxiety TO preserve for
she has built up on the YangtSe river,
which might fall to England in di-
vision The special reference made in
the agreement as to river commerce,
bears out this inference.
The United States viii promptly ad-
here to the principles contained in this
agreement, as it is directly in the line
of our aspirations. If Russia can be
brought to accept its terms as binding
upon herself, there can be no doubt ac-
cording to the official view here. that a
substantial movement will have been
achieved toward a final settlement of the
Chinese trouble