The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-01-11
THE OFFER IS WITHDRAWN
OPPOSITION OF EUROPEAN POW- FRS TO AMERICAN PROPORTION.

ations be Transferred--Roport from
 Paris Declares the Chinese Commits
 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 with
 drawal of certain features of the nego-
 tiations from Pekin to Washington, or
 some other capital, and other powers hesitate to decide the question, the pres ident has deemed 1t advisable to with draw the proposition and has directed the diplomatic representatives of the
 United States abroad to so inform the different governments.
 Paris, Jan. 10.-As the result of in- quiries in authoritative quarters, the Associated Press is given the following statement in regard to the Chinese sit- uation:
 "The Chinese plenipotentiaries signed the joint note yesterday, thus conclud- ing the preliminary stage of the negoti ations."
 It was added that this important step was insignificant compared with the difficulties to be met with between the powers themselves, whose clashing in terests will have full play in the coming discussions. The United States pro- posal to shift the seat of the negotia- tions finds no favor in the European chancelleries. Three reasons are given for this opposition:
 First-It is considered a great mis- take to transfer the negotiations from China, where all the information is at hand respecting the situation, and the feeling among the Chinese themselves, and more especially regarding the con ditions of trade and commerce with which the negotiations will be chiefly concerned.
 Second-The United States commerce with China is comparatively small when compared with that of several other countries. Therefore the United States is not entitled to expect the negotia- tions to be carried on at Washington.
 The third and most delicate reason advanced is that the European powers have not felt sufficient confidence that the United States might not find itself influenced in the negotiations at Wash ington by the pressure of interests hay ing an eye to the exploitation of China The attitude of some of the powers, moreover, Is swayed by other motives in oposing 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 toward the Clayton -Bulwer treaty
 The feeling here favors Shanghai, if any change is made as 1t is pointed out that Shanghai Is the most import | ant trade center in China, and, more- over, that the southern viceroys, who ! are favorable to foreigners and anxious | to further trade could make their influ- 1 ence felt. Failing Shanghai, Berlin or Paris are more likely to be chosen. The | enormous British interests are in favor of the choice of London, but it is inn probable that the other powers will | agree to this
 There is no reason to suppose that Russia will withdraw from the joint ne- gotiations. The treaty she has con- cluded with China concerns her special interests in regions contiguous to her territories, but she has great political interests to defend and, further in the
  obstacles to speedy settlement Rus sia aims chiefly at a wied expansion of her political influence Great Britain wants to, roughly open the Chinese empire to her commerce. and at the same time strengthen her political foot hold The United States, apparently, will be devoted to securing commercial advantages, while France and Germany k will desire to increase their trade gen. orally and their political influence in certain provinces.
 The struggle between these conflict ing designs will be bitter, and in any case will greatly protract the negotia- tions.
 One thing which Great Britain and the United States wish secured Is the raising of the prohibition, which now exists in China, against foreigners &C., uuiring landed interests, a considera- ble extension of commerce being there { by anticipated. ( The ministers of the powers will be l assisted in the negotiations by commer- s cial advisers, while Prince Ching and 6 Lii Hung Chang will continue to act for | the Chinese government. I
 CONSIDERED IMPOSSIBLE. |