The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-04-11
A NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT.

II the present administration had
placed no other achievement to It's
credit than the success OF Secretary
Hays negotiations for the open door
in China. Il would not only have earn
ed the right OF endorsement at the
hands OF the American people next
November. but the dictates of ordinary
prudence would oppose any change in
the personality or politics OF the coun-
try's chief executive pending the full
maturity of the plans thus put in op-
Grafton for so important trade devel-
opment.
A Washington correspondent says
it is probable that not 10 per cent of
the senators and representatives In
congress have appreciated the import
ance Of the negotiations or the great
success of our state department in
them. Representatives in congress
and senator's are entirely to prone to
view matters superficially. The news
paper correspondents have not given
these negotiations particular attention,
though the press associations did car
~ the correspondence submitted very
fully. II there had been any great
sensation connected with the negotia-
tions or IL there had been anything
done that offered an opportu-
nifty for partisan criticism, there
would have been a great fuss
and some OF the agitators would have
introduced resolutions Of inquiry and
denounced the state department in un-
measured terms for disregarding the
American interests. No opportunity
Of the kind offering. the matter has
been really passed over.
The men who make a study Of in
ternatlonal questions and are experts
have not neglected the open door
agreement and have calmly measured
fits value. Members of the foreign af-
fairs committees of both houses speak
of it with great praise and re-
gard 1t as one Of the most important
diplomatic victories in our history.
Representative Hit of Illinois, chair
man OF the house committee on for
eign affairs. regards this victory as the
greatest event Of the year, and says:
by this negotiation is accomplished
what none but a great neutral power
such as the United States could bring
about. 1t Is a matter of the greatest
Importance to the whole world. and
opens to us a fair field for the deyel-
opment Of our trade in the East. 1t
will result, inevitably. in building for
US a great commerce on the Pacific
coast Without sacrificing anything,
without paying any price. we are as
sured of the continuance Of all the
commercial privileges granted in ear
ly treaties with China, and we are
guaranteed the recognition of equal
privileges with other nations in the So
called spheres of influence acquired or
TO be acquired by the several powers
and the enjoyment Of whatever privil-
eges are granted other nations in the
future. 1t is broad favored nation"
clause with reference to Oriental trade |
guaranteed to us by the great pow
ers.
'It is not like Bere treaty with |
some weak government which might |
not be able to maintain its own inde-
penden;e Of action; it is a compact |
with the great nations of the world |
The guarantee of equal transportation !
facilities, without discrimination, over |
the lines Of transportation into the
interior of China, Is Of immense VAL |
ue It means the opening up Of that |
vast field to our trade The magnitude |
OF the thing accomplished is hardly |
appreciated, on account of the appar-
ent ease with which it was done. 1t |
was not attended with hostility or con-
tention, but was brought about with |
no more shock or eruption than at
tends the rising of the tide. 1t is a |
mighty movement upward. No other
nation could have secured the agree
ment. for the other powers are con-
tending for spheres of influence and
eagerly watching each other lest one
should secure an advantage in the
struggle for possession. Only a neu-
trai power like the United States could
propose an agreement OF that kind
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