Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-03-27
"0PEN DOOR POLICY
TO BE USED IN China

vanced by declarations by the various
powers claiming spheres of n
terest' in China as to their intentions in
regard to the treatment of foreign trade
and commerce therein, and that the pres
ent is very favorable moment for in
forming Her Majesty's government of
the desire of the United States to have it
make on it's own part and to lend it's
from each of the various powers claim
ing spheres of interest in China a de-
claration substantially to the following
effect:
THAT 1t will in no wise interfere with
any treaty port or any vested interest
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 ports) no matter to what nation
ality it may belong, and that duties 50
leviable shall be COLLECTED by the Chinese
government.
3-That it will levy no higher harbor
duties on vessels Of another nationality
frequenting any port in such spheres
than shall be levied on vessels Of it's own
nationality and no higher railroad
operated within it's sphere on merchan-
disc belonging to citizens or subjects OF
other nationalities transported through
similar merchandise belonging to it's own
nationalities transported over equal dis
tances.
The president has strong reason to be-
lieve that the governments Of both Rus
sia and Germany will cooperate in an
understanding as is here proposed. The
recent ukase Of His Majesty, the En-
perOr of Russia, declaring the port of
Talien Wan open to the merchant ships
n a ~ a forr nf
the lease under which it Is to be held by
Russia, removes all uncertainty as to
the liberal and cOnciliatory policy Of the
czar and justifies the expectation and his
majesty would accede to the similar re-
quest of the United States now being pre-
sented to him and make the desired
declaration.
"The recent action Of Germany in de-
claring the port of Kaio Chaou free
port and the aid which his government
has given China in establishing there a
Chinese custom house, coupled with as
surances given the United States by Ger
many that the interests of the United
States and it's citizens within it's sphere
would in no wise be affected by the occu-
patton of this portion of the province of
Shan Tung, encourage the belief that lit
tie opposition is to be anticipated to the
presidents request for a similar declara-
ton 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 it's interests will be largely serv-
ed by the proposed arrangement; and the
declarations of it's statesmen within the
last year are SO entirely in line with it
that cooperation of that power is conf
IDENTIFY relied upon.
TT Is therefore with the greatest pleas
ure that l present this matter to your
lordship's attention, and urge it's prompt
consideration by her majestys govern
ment, believing that the action is in en-
tire harmony with it's consistent theory
and purpose and that it will greatly re-
dound to the benefit and advantage of all
commercial nations alike. The prompt
and sympathetic cooperation of her ma
jesty's government with the United
States in this important matter will be
very potent in promoting it's adoption by
all the powers concerned"
Just week after the receipt of this
important communication Lord Salisbury
acknowledged its receipt in note, prom
Using to consult his colleagues on the pro-
position and in the meantime assuring
Mr.. Choate that the policy consistently
advocated by this country is one of Sc
curing equal opportunity for the subjects
and citizens of all nations in regard to
commercial enterprise in China and from
this policy her majestys government has
no intent or desire to depart
month later came the formal answer
of the British government under date
of November 30. 1899, in the following
language, addressed to Mr.. Choate:
Il have much pleasure in informing
your excellency that her majestys gov
ernment will be prepared to make a
declaration in the sense desired by your
government in regard to the leased ter
ritory of Wei-Hai-Wei, and all territory
in China which may hereafter be ac-
quired by Great Britain by lease or
otherwise, and all spheres Of interest
now held, or that may hereafter be held
i'm China, provided that similar declara-
tion is made by other powers concerned"
note of acknowledgement was the re.