Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-01-17
RIVAL INTERESTS IN CHINA.
They are Expected so Clash In ths
Negotiations for Settlement of the
Eastern Question.

Negotiations for a Settlement of the
Eastern Question.
Paris, Jan. 11.-As the result of in
quiries in authorita tive quarters the
press is given the following state
ment in regard to the Chinese situa-
ton: THE Chinese plenipotentiar-
les signed the joint note on Wednes-
day, thus concluding the preliminary
stage of the negotiations"
1t is added that this important step
is insignificant compared with the
difficulties 10 be met with between
the powers themselves, whose clash
ing interests will have full play in the
coming discussion. The United
States proposal to shift the seat of
the negotiations finds no favor in
European chancellories. Three rea-
sons are given for this oppostion;
First-It is considered "a great mis-
take to transfer the negotiations
from China, where all the informa-
tion is al hand respecting the stua-
tion and the feeling among the Chi
nese themselves, and more especially
regarding the conditions of com
merce with which the negotiations
will be chiefly concerned.
Second-The United States COM
merce with China is compare lively
small when compared with that of
several other countries, Wherefore
the United States is not entitled to
expect the negotiations TO be carried
on at Washington.
The third reason advanced is that
the European powers have not felt
sufficient confidence that the United
States government might not find it
self influenced in the negotiations at
Washington by the pressure of inter
ests having an eye to the exploitation
of China. The attitude of some of
the powers, moreover, is swayed by
other motives in opposing the United
States proposal. Great Britain, for
example, which seems to be the most
strongly antagonistic, has probably
taken into consideration the United
States attitude towards the Clayton
Bulwer treaty.
The feeling here favors Shanghai,
if any change is made, as Shanghai
is the most important trade centre in
China, and, moreover, the southern
viceroys who are favorable to for
eigners and anxious to further trade
could make their influence felt. Fail
ing Shanghai, Berlin or Paris are
more likely to be chosen.
There is no reason to suppose that
Russia will withdraw from the joint
negotiations. The treaty she has
concluded with China concerns her
special interests in regions contigu-
Gus to her territories, but she has
great political interests to defend,
ana, further in the joint conference,
which will bristle with obstacles to 4
speedy settlement Russia aims chief
ly at wide expansion of her political
influence Great britain wants to
open the Chinese empire to her COM
merce, and, at the same time
strengthen her political foothold.
The United States efforts, apparent
ly, will be devoted to securing COM
mercal advantages, while France and
Germany will desire to increase their
trade generally and their political in
huence in certain provinces. The
struggle between these conflicting
designs will be bitter.
Washington, Jan. 10.-As some OF
the foreign powers do not look with
favor upon the proposition of the
United States, recently made, as to
the withdrawal of certain features of
the negotiations from Pel<in to Wash
ington or some other capital, and
other powers hesitate to decide the
question, the president has deemed
advisable TO withdraw the PROPOSE
ton.