Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-28

the agreement was prefaced by a recital
of the Russian assurance that American
interests in that part of China would not
be affected by the lease of Port Arthur.
Talien Wan and adjacent territory, and a
statement that however gratifying such
an assurance might be- the business
world of the United States requests much
further clearer and more formal defini-
tons. The Russian answer pledges itself
in the following language:
''As to the ports now opened, or here
after to be opened to foreign commerce
by the Chinese government and which lie
beyond the territory leased to Russia tho
settlement of the Question Of custom tiu-
ties belongs to China herself and the i'm
perial government has no intention what
ever of claiming any privileges for its
own subjects to the exclusion of foreign
ers. 1t Is to be understood, however that
this assurance of the imperial govern
ment is given upon condition that SINH
lar declaration shall be made by other
powers having interests in China With
the conviction that this reply Is such as
to satisfy the inquiry made in the afore-
mentioned note. the imperial government
is happy to have complied with the wish
of the American government.
The French note was exceedingly brief.
1t desires throughout the whole of China
and, with the natural reservation that all
the powers Interested give an assurance
of their Willingness to act likewise, Is
ready to apply in the territories which
are leased to it. equal treatment to the
citizens and subjects of all nations, espe-
cially in the matter of custom duties and
navigation duties. as well as transporta-
ton tariffs on railways.
Italy was addressed on the subject,
Nov. II. "In view of the important and
growing commercial interests OF italy
and eastern Asia" January of the pres
ent year. after the Italian government
had been duly Informed that all the other
powers had given favorable reply,
Count Nenosta pledged Italy in TINS IAN
guagc: 81 take pleasure in saying ina
the government Of the King willingly adj
heres to the proposals set forth IN said
not of Dec. q"
The correspondence Of Japan was made
up of two notes.-the invitation and the
answer. The pledge as put forth by Min
lister OF Foreign Affairs Siuzo is as FOL
lows: II have the happy. duty Of assur-
ing your excellency that the imperial gov
crnmcnt will have no hesitation To give
its assent to so just and fair proposal
of the United States, provided that all
the other powers concerned shall accept
the same
The last act in the negotiations, that
which clinched the agreement, was the
dispatch to our diplomatic representative
at the capitals of the several countries
concerned. of Identical instructions
couched In the following terms:
department of state,
Washington. March 20 1900
"Sir-The government having
accepted the declaration suggested by the
'nited States concerning foreign trade In
China. the terms Of which ! transmitted
to YOU in my instruction No Of ---,
and like action having been taken by ali
the various powers having leased terri
tory or so-callcd spheres Of interest in
the Chinese empire. as shown by the
notes | hereby transmit 10 you, you VIII
please inform the government to which
YOU are accredited that the condition
originally attached to its acceptance
that all other powers concerned should
likewise accept the proposals Of the
United States-having been complied
with. this government will therefore con-
slider the assent given to it by - a :
final and finite. You will also transmit
to the minister for foreign affairs. copies
Of the present enclosures. and by the
same occasion convey to him the EXPIRES
sion Of the sincere qualification which the
President feels AT the successful tcrmina-
ton Of these negotiations, In which rs
sees proof Of the friendly spirit which
anlmatcs the various powers interested
in the untrammclcd development Of com
mcrcc ana industry in the Chinese en-
pirc. and a source Of vast benefit to the
whole commercial world.
Il am. etc.
JOHN HAY"