The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-03-28

be greatly aided and advanced by
declarations by the various powers
claiming spheres OF interest in Chi
ma as TO their intentions in regard to
the treatment of foreign trade and
commerce therein, and that the present
is a very favorable moment for in
forming her majesty's government Of
the desire OF the United states to have
it make on its own part and to lend
its powerful support in the effort TO
obtain from each Of the various pow
ers claiming spheres of interest in
China declaration substantially to
the following effect;
"ul-That it win in no wise interfere
with any treaty port or any vested in
terest within any so-called sphere Of
interest or leased territory it may
have in China.
"(2)-That the. Chinese treaty tariff
of the time being shall apply TO all
merchandise landed or shipped to all
such ports as are in such spheres OF
interest (unless they be free portsO
no matter TO what nationality it may
belong. and that duties so levied shall
/ be collected by the Chinese govern
ment.
"SJ-That 1t will levyno higher duties
ON vessels of another nationality fire.
I IN, cttrh suTharaesf
thar shall be levied on vessels of it's
own nationality and no higher railroad
charges over lines built, controlled or
operated within its sphere on mer-
chandise belonging to citizens or sub
iects of other nationalities transport
ed through such sphere than shall be
levied on similar merchandise belong
ing to its own nationalities transport
ed over equal distances.
The president has strong reason to
believe that the governments of both
Russia and Germany will cooperate in
an understanding as is here proposed.
The recent ukase OF his majesty, the
emperor of Russia. declaring the port
of Talien Wan to the merchant ships
Of all nations during the whole term
Of the lease under which il is 10 be
held by Russia. removes all uncertain
ty as TO the liberal and conciliatOry
policy Of that power and justiiles the
expectation that his majesty viii ac-
cede to the similar request Of the Uni
ted States now being presented to
him and make the desired declara-
tion.
THE recent action of Germany in
declaring the port of Kaio Chou a
free port and the aid which it's gov
ernment has given China in estab-
fishing there a Chinese custom house,
coupled with oral assurances given the
United States by Germany that the
interests of the United States and its
citizens within its sphere would in no
wise be affected by the occupation Of
this portion Of the province Of Shan
Tung, encourage the belief that little
opposition is to be anticipated to the
presidents request for similar decla-
ration from that power.
1T is needless also TO add, that
Japan. the power next most largely
interested in the trade Of China, must
be In entire sympathy with the views
here expressed and that its interests
will be largely served by the proposed
arrangement; and that declarations Of
its statesmen within the last year are
SO entirely in line with it that the
cooperation of that power is conf
IDENTIFY relied upon.
1T is, therefore, with the greatest
pleasure that 1 present this matter
to your majestys attention, and urge
it's prompt consideration by her mai
esty's government, believing that the
action is in entire harmony with its
consistent theory and purpose, and
that it will greatly rebound to the ben
etit and advantage Of all commercial
nations alike. The prompt and sym
pathetic cooperation Of her majesty's
government with the United States in
this important matter will be very po-
tent in promoting its adoption by all
the powers concerned"
Just a week after the receipt Of this
important communication, Lord Sails
blry acknowledged its receipt in a note,
promising to consult his colleagues on
the proposition and in the meantime
assuring Mr. Choate that the policy
consistently advocated by his country
is one Of securing equal opportunity
for the subjects and citizens Of all
nations in regard to commercial enter
prises in China and from this policy
her majesty's government has no in
tention or desire to depart"
A month later came the formal an
swer fthe British government, un-
der date of November 30, 1899, in the
following language addressed to Mr..
Choate:
Il have much pleasure in inform
ing your excellency that her majesty's
government will be prepared to make
( a declaration in the sense desired by
your government in regard to the leas-
ed territory Of HaiWei and all
territory in China, which may hereaf-
ter be acquired by Great Britain, by
lease or otherwise and all Spheres Of