The National tribune., 1900-11-08
Mr.. HAYS JEST.
A Neat Turn in the Diplomatic Mudd1e Made
by the Secretary of State.

by the Secretary of State.
The main feature of interest in thu
Chinese situation during the past few day!
| has been the replies of different nations
particularly that of the United States, Il
the notice of the Anglo German agree
ment respecting the maintenance of the
'open door" and the territorial integrity
of China. Secretary Hay in his answer t.
| both nations, made public last week, gent
ly reminds them that the United States
has heretofore made known its adoption
of both these principles; that during the
| last year this Government invited The
| Powers to join in an expression of view.
and purposes in the direction of impartia
trade with China and received satisfac
tory assurances from all of them; that
when the recent troubles were at theil
hight, on July 3, this Government once
| more made an announcement of its pol
icy regarding impartial trade and the in
tegrity of the Chinese Empire, and hat
the qualification of learning that all the
Powers held similar views. Since that
| time, Mr.. Hay says. the most gratifying
harmony has existed among all the ma
| tions concerned as to the ends to be pur
sued. Therefore, it is with much salts
faction that the President directs him tC
inform the two nations of the full sym
pathy of this Government with the prin
ciples set forth by those nations in the
agreement.
The third clause of the agreement reads
thus: ..s..
'.3. In case of another power making
use of the complications in China, in or
der to obtain under any form whatever
such territorial advantages, the two con
tracing parties reserve to themselves tC
come to a preliminary understanding as
TO the eventual steps to be taken for the
protection of their own interests il
China"
AS to this Mr. Hay shrewdly observes
"As this clause refers to n reciprocal
agreement between the two high contract
ing powers, the Government of the Unit
ed States does not regard itself as called
upon TO express an opinion in respect tQ
it."
Were there any appreciation of humol
among the diplomats of England and Ger
many, Mr.. Hays neat little joke of sol.
emnly announcing that this Government
fully indorsed the principles first set forth
by itself, but submitted by Great Britain
and the Fatherland as brand new, might
be enjoyed by said diplomats, but it is to
be doubted if the delicate humor of the
situation will reach them. 1t will be re-
membered, too, that these principles were
announced while Emperor William was
crying aloud TO his soldiers to avenge the
slaughter of the German Minister by spill
ing Chinese blood copiously. AS TO that
sacred private arrangement known as the
third clause, Mr.. Hay wouldn't think OF
suggesting anything about it,
France replied to the notice of the An.
lo-German note, last week, to the effect
that she adhered to the principles of the
integrity of the Chinese Empire and the
open door" and that in regard to article
3 she reserved the right to act in such q
manner as to safeguard her interests.
Japan has unreservedly acceded to the
terms of the Anglo-German agreement
Lord Salisbury is said to be not salts
fed with Russia's reply. The trouble
with it apparently is that it lacks definite
ness. 1t is stated that Emperor William
and Count Won Buelow alone negotiated
the agreement, to the exclusion of Prince
| Hohenlohe, whose policy has been fol
| closer relations with Russia. 1t is added
| that Nicholas distrusts William and that
William regarded Russia's withdrawal OF
her troops from Pekin and her behavior in
connection with the appointment of Count
Won Waldersee as unfriendly actions.
Russia is believed to have accepted the
first two clauses, but as to the third clause
said she would modify her present alti
tude according to circumstances.