The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-28
II %, 1900.


roads and mining enterprises. has at The
same time sought to maintain what is
commonly called the 'open-door' policy. to
secure to the commerce and navigation Of
all nations equality Of treatment within
such spheres. The maintenance Of this
policy is alike urgently demanded by the
commercial communities Of our two ma
tons, as it is justly held by them to be
the only one which will improve existing
conditions, enable them to maintain their
positions in the markets Of China. and
extend their future operations.
While the Government Of the United
States will in no way commit itself TO any
recognition of the exclusive rights OF any
power within or control over any portion
Of The Chinese Empire under such agree
mems as have been recently made it can
not conceal its approximations that there Is
danger Of complications arising between
the treaty powers which may imperil the
rights ensured to the United States by its
treaties with China.
1T is the sincere desire Of my Govern
ment that the interests Of its citizens may
not be prejudiCed through exclusive treat
ment by any OF the controlling powers
within their respective spheres OF inter
ests in China, and it hopes to retain there
an open market for all the worlds com
merce remove dangerous sources Of inter-
national irritation and thereby hasten
united action Of the powers NJ Pekin TO
promote administrative reforms so greatly
needed for strengthening the Imperial
Government and maintaining the integrity
OF China. in which it believes the whole
western world is alike concerned. II be-
iieves that such a result may be greatly
aided and advanced by declarations by the
various powers claiming spheres Of inter
est in China as TO their intentions in re-
gard TO the treatment OF foreign trade and
commerce therein. and that the present is
very favorable moment for informing Her
Maiestys Government Of the desire OF the
United States to have Il make on its own
part and to lend its powerful support in
the effort to obtain from each of the va
rious powers claiming spheres OF interest
in China declaration substantially to the
following effect:
y. That it will in no wise interfere with
any treaty port or any vested interest
within any so-called sphere of interest
or leased territory it may have in China.
20. That the Chinese treaty tariff Of the
time being shall apply TO all merchandise
landed or shipped to all such ports IS are
within such spheres of interest tunless
they be free pOrtsD. no matter to what
nationality It may belong. and that duties
nese Government.
% That il 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
uonality, and no higher railroad charges
over lines built. controlled. or operated
within its sphere on merchandise belong
ing to citizens or subjects of other ma
tionalities transported through such
merchandise belonging to its own nationals
transported over equal distances.
The President has strong reason to
believe that the Governments of both Rus
sia and Germany will cooperate in such
an understanding as is here proposed. The
recent ukase OF His Majesty the En-
peror OF Russia declaring the port of Ia
lienwan open to the merchau. ships Of
all nations during the whole term Of the
lease under which il is to be held by
Russia removes all uncertainty as to the
liberal and conciliatoGy policy Of hat
power. and iustiies the expectation that
His Majesty would accede to the aimilar
request of the United States now being
presented to him and make the desired
declaration.
The recent action Of Germany in de-
clsring the port of Kiao-C Chou a free port
and the aid which its Government has
given China in establishing there a Chi
nese custom house, coupled with oral as
surances given the United States by Ger
many that the interests of the United
States and its citizens within its sphere
would in no wise be affected by its occu-
patton of this portion OF the province Of
Shantung, encourage the belief that little
opposition is TO be Anticipated to the
Presidents request for a similar declara-
ton from that power.
1T is needless also to add that Japan,
he power next most largely interested in
the trade OF China. must be in entire sym
patty with the views here expressed. and
that its interests will be largely served
by the proposed arrangement; and the
declarations Of its statesmen within the
last year are so entirely in line with il
that the cooperation Of that power is
confidently relied upon.
1t is therefore with the greatest pleas
ure that 7 present mis- matter TO your
lordship's attention and urge its prompt
consideration by Her Majestys Govern
ment. believing that the action is in en-
tire harmony with its consistent theory
and purpose. ami ethat II wifi greatly re-
dound to the benefit and advantage Of all |
commercial nations alike. The prompt and |
cooperation OF Her Majestys !
with the United States in this !
important matter viii be very potent in |
promoting its adoption by all the powers
concerned have. etc,
JOSEPH II. CHOATE."
Lord SnIIsbury's Reply.
Lord Salsbury's final reply was:
..N..,- p-t.4,