The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-11
SEATTLE. "WEDNESDAY, APRIL II
The Open Door.

ssAS OR~' s~D~''
No expression. probably, is more gen
orally misunderstood than the open
door" as applied to commercial rela-
tons. Not unnaturally the term is con-
strued by those unfamiliar with 1t as
synonymous with free trade. II sounds
like IT. An open door is one through
which he who will may pass II Is not
strange. therefore. that when we refer
to the open door In the orient. and when
we speak Of an open door policy In the
Philippines or in China, the uniformed
jump to the conclusion that II means a
trade system under which no duties are
l,vied.
Tho impression is strengthened delib-
erately and dishonesty by some OF those
who know better. They distort the
meaning of the open door for low
purposes. For example, we can hardly
believe that the Portland Oregonian
does not understand II: has never COM
pretended what II contains as already
applied by Great Britain 20 her DEEPEN
denotes, and what 1t vii mean for the
United states. Yet IL says: I'VE had
expected the open door policy with our
new possessions, but congress has start
ed In to give us -slammlng policy.
We had expected the same right Of free
trade with Puerto Rico and the Philip
pines That the states and territories
have with each other"
This is either Incredible ignorance or
the familiar policy of false representa-
ton The open door" with reference
To trade in any portion OF a nations
possessions means simply that all ma
tions shall stand on the same footing
In their commercial relations with IT,
Great Britain establishes the open door
when she makes no discrimlna ton in
favor Of or against any other nation IN
her trade with the colonies. An open
door In a door that is open to all. not
without any price OF admission. but at
the same price. The meaning OF 1t IL
not absence OF duties or mposts,
but equality Of them without discrim-
nation between parties As long as all
nations. including that which has a par
amount political influence, are subject
to the trade regulati lions prescribed. the
open door policy Ia maintained. no mat
ter whether those regulations involve
taslfr or free trade
This definition should have been made
clear TO the meauest understanding by
the ne Eotiations with other powers
which the state department has Just
carried TO successful conclusion. We
started out 10 secure the open door for
the future In the far East. especially in
China. What did we wish 10 guard
agaiastf The possible imposition Of du.
ties that would discriminate against us
as In favor % the nations In their
spheres cf Influence" We apprvhendei
that each nation would wish and would
secure for itself. IN that portion II the
East who're its wish was law. special
privileges whose ersct would he 80 ex.
elude our trade by putting us at dis
advantage We dId not interfere with
domestic concerns We ala not demand
ths, Chinese ports witain any gone %
influence should guarantee free trade.
We asked emily that we might stand
there on equal terms with al others
This was conceded. aud that concession
IA the open door"
This explanation makes &, obvious
that the eper door In the Philippines
does not require free trade II ough,
&C. be equally obvious that free trade
between the United states aud ,hc Phu-
ipplaea would tsopardlke the malatc-
nance II the open door. unlcss we made
trade between the Philippines and All
other countries equally free We coald
not ask and we should no; receive equal
privileges IN the markets which these
European nations control unless we
awe them equal privileges with US IN
thase taat We control Free trade With
the Philippines would be the real be-
slnalHs Of door-slamming. a clear per-
ssyslan Of this was one OF the strongest
sssamsnts In favor of the Puerto REQ
GnL n We once agreed that we had no