The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-11
ER. HAYS PLAN NOT ACCEPTED
EUROPEANS DECIDEDLY OBJECT TO
TRANSFERRING NEGOTIATIONS
TO WASHINGTON
NO FINAL SETTLEMENT AS YET
clashins Interests of the Occidental
States as Likely to BE the
Cause of InterminabIe
Dissension.

PARIS, Jan. 10-As the result of in
quiries in authoritative sources the As
sociated Press is giving the following
statement in regard to the Chinese situa-
tion:
1.-The Chinese plenipotentiaries signed
the joint note yesterday, thus concluding
the preliminary stage of the negotia-
tions.''
1t was aided that this important step
was insignificant compared with the diff
hculties to be met with between the poW-
ers themselves, whose clashing interests
will have full play in the coming discus
sions. The United States proposal to
shift the seat of negotiations inds no
favor in the European chanceueries.
Three reasons are given for this opposi-
ton:
MR.. HAY TURNED DOWN.
First, it is considered great mis-
take to transfer the negotiations from
China, where exists all the information
respecting the situation and the feeling
among the Chinese themselves, and more
especially regarding the conditions of
trade and commerce with which the ne
gotiations will be most 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 negotiations
to be carried on at Washington"
The third, and most delicate reason ad-
vanced is that the European powers
have not felt sufficient confidence that
the United States government might not
feel itself influenced in the negotiations
at Washington by pressure of interests
having an eye to exploit the action 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 toward the Clay
ton-Bulwer treaty.
MAY GO TO SHANGHAI.
The feeling here faVors Shanghai, If
any change is made, as it is pointed cut
that Shanghai is the most important
trade center in China, and, moreover,
the southern viceroys, who are favor
able to foreigners and anxious to further
trade, could make their influence 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 improbable
that the other powers will agree to this
There is no reason to suppose that Rus
sia will withdraw from the joint nego-
.cOnc.uCG1
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 confer
ence, which will bristle with obstacles to
speedy settlement, Russia aims chiefly
at a wide expansion of her political in
fuence. Great Britain wants to open the
Chinese empire to her commerce and at
the same time strengthen her political
foothold. The United States efforts ap-
parcntly will be devoted to securing
commercial advantages; while France
and Germany Will desire to increase their
trade and political influence in certain
provinces. The struggle between these
conflicting designs will be bitter and, in
any case, will greatly protract the nego-
tiations.
One thing which Great Britain and the
United States wish secured is the rails
ing of the prohibition which now exists
in China against foreigners acquiring
Landed interests, a considerable extern
sion OF commerce being thereby antici-
pated.
The ministers of the powers will be
assisted in the negotiations by commercial
advisers, while Prince Ching and Ii
lung Chang will continue to act for the
Chinese government