The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-28

eminent with the United states IN this I'M
rortant matter will be very potent in pro-
noting its adoption by all the powers con-
cerned."
sALISBURY'S REPLY.
Just a week after the receipt of this i'm
portant communication Lord Salisbury &C
knowledged its receipt in a note promising
TO consult his colleagues on the PROPOSE
ton, and meantime assuring Mr.. Choate
that the policy consistently advocated by
this country is one OF securing equal OPP
portunity for the subjects and citizens of
all nations in regard TO commercial enter
prises in China. and from this policy her
Majesty's government has no intention or
desire to depart.
month later came the formal answer
of the British government. under date of
Nov. so, 1899, in the following language, ad-
dressed to Mr.. Choate
II have much pleasure in informing your
excellency that her Majesty's government
will be prepared to make a declaration in
| the sense desired by your government in
regard TO the leased territory of Wei-Hai-
Wei, and all territory in China which may
hereafter be acquired by Great Britain by
lease or otherwise, and all spheres OF in
terest now held or that may hereafter be
held by her in China, provided that similar
| declaration is made by other powers con-
| cerned."
A note of acknowledgment was the re-
| naming letter in the British series, Mr..
| Cnoate expressing the qualification of the
secretary of state at the cordial acceptance
| by the British government of the proposals
| OF the United States
In the case of Germany while forward
| ing the same declarations as was submit
| ted to the British government, the phrase
ology was somewhat varied. In this case
| Mr. Hay refers to assurances given by the
| 6ernn government through cur ambassa-
DOR when Germany leased KiaC-Chou and
1 IN, @l,.e
| treaty privileges conferred by China would
| not be lnfringed or impaired. Still as the
| exact nature and extent of certain railway
| and mining privileges in that country made
| tie subject of a treaty between Germany
| and Great Britain had rot been clearly de-
| fined. the declaration il resented for ap-
prevail by Germany, because 1t is possible
| that serious conflicts of interest may at any
| time arise. not only between British and
German subjects within said area, but that
| the interests Of our citizens may also be
| seopardized thereby The German govern
ment is also reminded that the Emperor
| of Russia has made a declaration of his
purposes to open Ta-Lien-Wan and the CO.
operation of Great Britain and Japan is
confidently expected.
GERMANY'S ACQUIESCENCE
Under date of Dec. 4. Charge Jackson, at
Berlin. cabled the first German responses
as follows:
81 have just had a conversation with the
| secretary of state for foreign affairs. who
| stated that the politics of Germany in the
extreme Orient are de facto the politics of
| the open door,, and Germany proposes to
| maintain this principle in the future. Ger
| the subject of controversy between the diff
| ferent powers engaged in China. She thinks
1t would be advantageous for the United
| States government to confer with other
| European governments having interests in
China. II the other Cabinets adhere to the
proposal of the United States government.
| Germany viii raise no objection. and Ger
many is willing to have the government of
the United States inform these other cab
inets that difficulty will come from her
If the other cabinets agree.
1t was Feb. 10 before the formal answer
OF the German government came, based on
a promise that satisfactory written replies
had been received by the government of
the United States from all the other powers
addressed. Complying with the wish 10
give its answer in writing, Count Won
Buelow wrote follows:
II have the honor to inform your Excel
iency, repeating The statements already
made verbally, as follows: AS recognized
by the government of the United States OF
America. according to your Excellency'
note referred to above, the imperial gov
eminent has. from the beginning, not only
asserted, but also practically carried out
to the fullest extent, in it's Chinese posses
sions, absolute equality of treatment of al
nations with regard to trade, navigation
and commerce. The imperial government
entertains no thought of departing in the
future from this principle, which at once
excludes any prejudicial or diSddVanta
geous commercial treatment of the citizen.
of the United States of America Ions
as II is not forced to do so on account OF
considerations OF reciprocity by a diver
| gence from it by other governments. If
therefore, the other powers interested in
the industrial development of the Chinese
empire are willing to recognize the sam'
| principles. this only be desired by tn,
imperial government which in this case up
on being requested will glady be ready Il
| participate with the United States %
America and the other powers in an agree
ment made on these lines, by which the
same rights are reciprocally secured"
THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.
| The invitation to Russia to subscrib,
to the agreement was prefaced by recita
of the Russian assurance that American
interests in that part of China would no
be affected by the lease of Port Arthur
Ta-Lien-Wan and adjacent territory, anc
a statement that, however gratifying sucl
an assurance might be, the business worl,
of the United States much desired a fur
Their, clearer and more formal definition
The Russian answer, reciting the promise
as to Dalny Cra-Lien-Wan which it ha,
redeemed by opening that port, pledges it
, self in the following language:
LAS to the ports now opened, or here
| AFTER TO De opened 10 lOTelSfi CoIHIutICt ".
[ the Chinese government, and which lie be
) | yond the territory leased to Russia, tn
| settlement of the question of custom
) | duties belongs to China herself and tn
| imperial government has intention
| whatever of claiming any privileges for 1t
own subjects to the exclusion of foreigners
: | 1t is to be understood. however. that thi
| assurance of the imperial government /
given on condition that similar declara
| ton shall be made by other powers havin
| interests in China.
{ with the conviction that this reply
| such as to satisfy the inquiry made in tn
1 | aforementioned note, the imperial govern
ment is happy to have complied with tn
| wishes of the American government, espe
/ | cially it attaches the highest value
Y | anything that may strengthen and cor
! solidate the traditional relations of friend
| ship existing between the two countries.
| The French note was exceedingly brie
4 | 1t was received Dec. is last, from NJ. De
: | casse, the Minister for Foreign Affair."
$ by Ambassador Porter. and is as follows
! | '.The declarations which i made in til
= | chamber on the oath of November last, an
= | which had occasion TO recall TO you sine
, | then show clearly the sentiments of th
e | government of the republic. Ii desire
I | throughout the whole of China, and wit
| the quite natural reservation that all III
| powers interested give an assurance {
| their willingness to act likewise, is read
| to apply in the territories which ar
a | leased to il, equal treatment to the citizen
: | and subjects of all nations especially
/. | the matter of custom duties and navigatio
dues as well as transportation tariffs o