Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-11
CHINA SIGNS NOTE.
Now Comes the Real Test Of
the Powers Strength.
Each One viii Battle for Terms Most
Advantageous to Itself.
United States Withdrsws Proposition 10 Trans
fer Negotiations to Washington.

Paris, Jan. 10.-As the result of in
CUiries in authoritative quarters, The
Associated Press is given the follow
ing statement in regard to the Chinese
situation:
THE Chinese plenipotentiaries signed
the joint note, yesterday, thus conclud-
ing the preliminary stage of the nego-
tiations.
1t 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 COM
ing discussions. The United States pro-
posals to shift the seat of the negotia-
tons finds no favor in the European
chancellories. 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
Sccond-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 ne
gotiations to be carried on at Wash
ington.
The third and most delicate reason
advanced is that the European powers
have not felt sufficient confidence that
the United States government might
not find itself influenced in the negotia-
tons at Washington by the pressure of
interests having an eye to the eyploita-
ton of China. The attitude of some of
the powers, moreover, is swayed by
other motives III opposing the United
States proposal. Great Britain. for eX-
ample, 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 it is pointed
out that Shanghai is the most import
ant trade center in China and moro
over that the southern viceroys, who
are favorable to foreigners and enXious
to further trade, could make their in
fluence felt Failing Shanghai, Berlin
or Paris are 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
negotiations. 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
joint conference, which will bristlc
with obstacles to a speedy settlement.
Russia aims chiefly at a wide eXpan-
sion of her political influence. Great
Britain wants to, roughly, open the
Chinese empire to her commerce, and
at the same time strengthen her politi-
cal foothoid. The United States APP
parentlY. Will be devoted to securing
commercial advantages while France
and Germany Will desire to increase
their trade generally and their politi-
cal influence in certain provinces.
The struggle between these conflict
ing designs VIII be bitter, and in any
case. will greatly protract the negotia-
tons.
one thing which Great Britain and
the United States wish secured is the
raising of the prohibition which now
exists in China against foreigners ac-
quiring landed interests. d consider
able extension of commerce being
thereby anticipated.
The ministers of the powers will be
assisted in the negotiations by com
merciaI advisers. while Prince Ching
and Ii Hung Chang will continue to
act for the Chinese government.
Shanghai Jan. 10.-A dispatch from
Sian Flu tWhere the Chinese court is
locatcd) to Il native newspaper, says:
Some of the clauses of the conditions
for peace are impossible of acceptance,
consequently the Emperor and En-
press and the much troubled court
have telegraphed to Liu-KunYi, the
viceroy of Nankin. and Chang HiTung
the viceroy of Hankow, to proceed i'm
mediately TO Pekin and confer with the
foreign ministers and Chinese COM
misSioners in an attempt to secure IL
modification of the obstructive condi-
tons. They have been instructed, if
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