The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1900-03-16
WILL shut DOOR
American Association at Shang.
hal Says the Attitude of the
Dowager
Toward Reformers Will Upset the
"Open Door" Policy in
China.
This Government Will Probably
Send a Warship As q
Warning.

SHANGHAI, March l6-The American
Association here has telegraphed to the
United States government that the atti.
tude OF the empress dowager towards
the reformers will upset the "open
door, policy. They also say rebellion
and anarchy are expected, to the detri.
ment OF foreign interests, and advocate
prompt concerted action on the part Of
the powers.
The China Association will appeal to
the British minister, Sir Claude n.
Macdonald on the same subject.
WASHINGTON, March l6-The cable.
gram from the American Association
has been received at the state depart
ment. 1t has not yet been acted upon,
but is under serious consideration. At
first reading, it is not clear Just what
connection exists between the attitude
OF the Chinese empress dowager towards
the reform element in China. and the
open door policy in which the United
States with the remainder Of the civil.
however. that the empress dowager is
prosecuting with relentless hatred the
reform party, tA,ing so far as to resort
to the harbarous pcactice Of Offering u
large sum Of money for the
assassination of leading reformers.
This reform element in China is
believed to include nearly all Of the
Chinese who are disposed to elevate
China into civilized nation. following
the footsteps of japan. They realize
that this can only be done with the
help Of foreigners. and are therefore
disposed to the "open door" as one OF
the measures to libcralize and enlighteI
China. through the introduction Of for
eign capital and foreign methods. 1t il
assumed that the basis OF this represen
tation from the American association i
an apprehension that the conservative
party surrounding the empress dowaec
in satisfying their animosity against tn
reformers. will excite the dormant anti
foreign feeling among the masses o
Chinese to degree that will make tn
"open door" impossible of attainment
Will Send y Warship.
It is a curious fact that our ministe
to China. Mr.. Conger, has So far mad
no REPRESENTATIONS to the state depart
ment touching this subject. He has re
ported to the department that seriou
attacks have been made upon the Amer
lean missions in Shan Tung by tn
"boxers." powerful and numerou
anti.foreign league Of Chinese. 1t
this same organization which has at
tackled some of the French missionarie
in that quarter of China. and have eve
carried their operations to the YER
doors of Kiao Chou. the German hold
ing in North China. Upon the min
listers reyreScntations. the state depar,
ment has decided that an tmerican wa
ship shall be dispatched from the fee
, at Manila to the nearest seaport to tn
seat of discord. probably in this cas-
Taku. AT the mouth Of the Pie Ho rivel
. or Wei Hal Wei. 1t is expected. how
. ever. that the Chinese government wi
i. he able to reprcss the "boxers" withor
!. any action on the part OF the America
F. warship. 1t is distinctly understoo
S that this little naval demonstration WI
D have no connection with the strugg
J. now going Oh between the empires
b dowayer's party and the reforlners, Il
this may be regarded as matter {
o purely internal politics. with which OF
= government has no right to concern
Q self. 1t is probable. therefore. that tn
e decision on our part indicates the cha
g acter of the response that will be mad
I by the department Of state to the cabl
gram from the American association.