Evening star., 1901-08-15
Mr.. VII SEES Mr.. HAY
The Minister Confers With the Sec
retary on the Chinese Situation.
THINKS NEGOTIATIONS ABOUT OVER
Sees No Reason for Delay in the
Final formalities.
FALLING OFF IN OUR TRADE

Mr. Wu Ting Fang, the Chinese minis
ter. called at the State Department today
and spent q quarter of an hour In confer
cnce with Secretary Hay. 1t was the first
opportunity for a personal exchange of
views between these two gentlemen in some
weeks. owing to the absence of Mr.. Hay,
and from the fact that Minister WI has
been receiving very little from Pekin of
late on the progress of the negotiations.
When seen later Mr.. WI talked on the
Chinese situation. Il have come for news
rather than to bring it," said he, for
have received no advices of late the
situation OF affairs. This is probably due
to the fact that the negotiations have been
chiefly among the foreign representatives
AS understand it. they are arranging first
to secure a common basis of settlement
satisfactory to them. and after that it re-
mains for the Chinese plenipotentiaries to
join in the negotiations and bring them to
a conclusion However, l do not see that
there should be any delay on the final for
malities. In the absence of all official ad-
vices | am unable to say what the course
of the Chinese negotiators will be- But
do not see any reason to doubt that the
complete arrangement will be reached at
early day, for it is to the interest Of
China that the prOtracted negotiations
should be brought to close. AS the pro-
tOcol seems to contemplate that the new
tariff agreement snail become effective two
months after the signing of the final proto-
col, excepting on goods shipped within ten
days after signing, there seems to be every
reason to expect that the new order of
things will be in operation at an early
date"
Minister WI did rot wish to discuss the
details of the protocol He seems to feel
however. that there was an opportunity
in the hands of the interested powers to
afford large benefits to China, and that it
was much to be desired that the negotia-
tions should be in spirit of disinterested
ness, so that not only would the powers
receive their just returns, but also that
China would be assisted along the path Of
progress.
Awaiting Advices From ROckhill.
The State Department is awaiting a re-
ply from Mr.. Rockhill as to the date of the
signing of the Chinese protocol, as the dis
posal of this subject will pave the way to
taking up the question of new commercial
treaties with China, and facilitating other
important details in execution of the proto-
COL Whether the present treaty relations
with China are sufficient or an entirely
new fabric will be required, depends consd
erably upon the terms of the protocol. 1t
is expected that this document will be
forwarded by mail by Mr.. Rockhill and
not until it is in hand will the authorities
here feel like reaching a final determina-
new commercial treaty relations as may
become desirable. The protocol itself ap-
pears to contemplate the creation of an
International board. to sit probably at
Shanghai. and to have charge of certain
details of commercial relations between the
powers and China But 1t is expected that
the powers will further consider the mat
ter of forming this board before it is ac-
tually brought into existence. In case it's
creation is finally decided upon, it is like
ly that Mr.. Sharritts, one Of the customs
experts of the Treasury Department, will
be considered for the post of American
representative. Already there has been
some informal talk between Secretaries
Hay and Gage as to the availability Of
Mr.. Sharritts.
Trade With the Chinese Empire.
The State Department has received from
Mr.. Squiers, secretary OF legation at Pc
kin report covering the trade Of the
Chinese empire during the first quarter Of
1901 He states that the returns for the
first quarter of 1900 showed an increase
of about S120,7OO over the same period of
1899. and Notwithstanding the fact that the
country was still suffering from the bad ef-
fects of the war, the revenue collected dur
ing the first quarter Of 1901 is only a mill
ion taels SI20. 7o0) less than for that period
of 1900. and a trifle more than for the
same quarter of 1899.
Out of the twenty-eight treaty ports. 1t
Is stated, eighteen show an increase over
last year. Among the ports which report
a falling off are Shanghai Tien Tsin Han
kau, Fuchau, Annoy and Swatow. The to-
tai trade at the treaty ports for the first
quarters of 1901. 1900 and 1890 amounted to
S3.362.53l, 200 and s. 120,37G, respect
lively.
American cotton interests especially 1t Is
stated. have suffered from the decrease in
trade. drills having dropped from nearly
42l,Uo pieces in 1899 to but 1915 pieces
this year, and In sheetings from 11O39 9l5
pieces in 1899 to 7.9I5 pieces this year
On the other hand. American kerosene
oil has made a better record. and, as COM
pared with the Russian. shows large gains.
having increased from nearly 100000 gall
Ions in 1899 to over 100000 gallons this
year. Russian oil dropped from 1859, ,720
in 1900 to 2, 10, $50 this year.
1t is difficult TO ascertain to what extent
our trade has decreased during the recent
troubles ii is stated. because it Is impos-
sible to trace in the customs returns all
goods of American origin. Mr.. Suuiers
says that he has been informed by one of
the largest importers of American goods
at Shanghai that the Chinese merchants
there have recently given large orders for
American goods. especially cotton, and he
mas no doubt that. as soon as the negotia-
uons are concluded. trade will be given a
fresh impetus and in short time make I'D
Tor all that has been lost.