The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-29
THE INTERNATIONAL AGREE
NIENT AS TO CHINA.


up a correspondence with Great Britain,
Russia. France. Germany, Italy and Japan
with reference to the open door, in
China. He asked that each of the various
Powers claiming spheres OF interest in
China make a declaration to the following
effect:
First. That il will in no way interfere
with any treaty port or vested interest
within any so-called sphere of interest
or leased territory it may have in China.
Second. That the Chinese treaty tariff
of the time being shall apply to all mer-
chandise landed or shipped TO all ports
which are within such sphere of interest
(unless they be free ports), no matter to
what nationality it may belong, and that
duties SO leviable shall be collected by the
Chinese Government.
Third. That it will levy no higher harbor
dues on vessels of another nationality fire.
Quenting any port in such sphere" than
shall be levied on vessels of its own ma
tionality, and no higher railroad charges
over lines built, controlled, or operated
within its sphere" on merchandise be-
tonalities, transported through such
sphere" than shall be levied on similar
merchandise belonging 10 its own nation
atty transported over equal distances.
On November 3Oth, 1899, Lord Salisbury
said in letter to Ambassador Choate: Il
have pleasure in informing Your Excel
lency that Her Majesty's Government will
be prepared to make a declaration in the
sense desired by your Government in re-
gard to the leased territory Of Wey Hal
Wey, and all territory in China which
may hereafter be acquired by Great Britain
by lease or otherwise, and all spheres of
interest now held or that may hereafter
be held by her in China. provided that
similar declaration is made by other Pow
ers concerned
Count Mouravieff replied on behalf Of the
Car Of Russia that insofar as the terri
tory leased by China to Russia was con-
cerned, the Imperial Government had al
ready demonstrated its firm intention to
follow the policy Of the open door by Great
ing Dalny free port, and that as to
ports now open or hereafter to be opened
to foreign commerce by the Chinese Cow
eminent, and which lie beyond the terri
tory leased TO Russia, the settlement OF
the question of customs duties belonged
to China herself, and the Imperial Gov
eminent had no intention whatever of
claiming any privilege for its own sub
jects to the exclusion of other foreigners.
The proviso was put in, however, that a
similar declaration be made by other Pow
ers having interests in China.
Count Won Buelow replied on behalf OF
Germany, that that Government enter
tanned no thought of departing in the fu-
ture from the principle of the open door,
and would adhere to that policy, if all the
other nations in interest would agree to
Mr.. Hays proposal.
France and Italy and Japan finally re-
piled much to the same effect, and while
some question of technicality has been
raised as TO the attitude of Great Britain
and Russia, It is very plain to those who
read the correspondence that it was the
distinct understanding between the United
States and the Powers named that the
open door policy should be maintained in
China, and that each nation entering into
the arrangement should have the same
privilege, no greater and no less, that every
other nation has in trading with China.
In the correspondence which resulted
in this agreement. the policy of the United
States towards China was outlined. We
are for the open door. and this Government
will insist that all the nations in interest
shall live up TO their agreement.