The times., 1901-03-25
Circulation Statement.
The End of the Open Door.


and the generally unsatisfactory nature
of current conditions there. one of the
most unpleasant features of the situa-
tion. from an American point Of view Is
rbe distinct triumph OF the Russian di-
plomacy in practically securing the elimi-
nation of Manchuria from future consii-
Grafton as an integral part OF CHINA
That. especially in view Of our tariff war
against Russia for the benefit of the Su-
gar Trust renders it reasonably certain
that the open door in Northern China
has been nailed fast and boarded over
for good and all. Hereafter, we may
whistle for the important and growing
American commerce with Manchuria, Chi
Ii. Shansi, and Mongolia, via the now
Russian port Of Nieu-Chwang. With the
great commercial north zone of the En-
pire cut off and surrounded by a Musco-
vite tariff wall. the most promising sin
gle field i'm Asia for our enterprise dis
appears What is left of China after the
exclusion OF the vast regions referred to
viii he found hardly sufficient to satisfy
the demands of the Western Powers and
Japan, either commercially or terrific
rally.
what causes these conditions TO be re
alarm. by the Administration is the fact
that their existence is to a considerable
extent due to our amateur catspaw diplo-
macy in China during the past year, and
which eliminated in the Russo-American
secret ana sudden cut and scuttle from
Pekin 1t was our blindness in walking
into this diplomatic trap and assuming
the initiative in rupturing the Concert of
u.
for also withdrawing and acting indie
pendently of the allies. Again, in first
joining in the general acceptance of Field
Marshal Count Won Waldersee as com
mauder-in-chief of all the international
forces in China, and then instructing our
officers not TO take orders from him. we
made not one but several serious mis-
takes In the manner Of it, the action
was a direct discourtesy TO the German
Emperor. 1t established a precedent of
separatist military action. of which Rus
sia has been not slow to take advantage
It encouraged Chinese turbulence and re
sistance TO the joint demands of the Pow
ers in affording an object lesson Of inter
national dissension. Finally. it assisted
the Chinese TO the conclusion that Rus
sia was irresistible and the other nations
in occupation negligible. These are some
OF the unpaIatable fruits of the amazing
diplomacy of last summers Tsuug-li-Ya-
men. ad interim, composed of the distin-
guished heads OF our Garden Seed Post
age Stamp, and Law Departments, dur
ing the Illness Of Secretary Hay and the
absence Of Assistant Secretary HilI. the
International expert of our Foreign
Office.
Whatever may be the course Of future
events in China. il would seem to be a
fair presumption that the United States
is 10 be left out in the cold. 1t is a poor
time TO talk about forcing an open door
FOR American trade by the mere exer-
else of moral suasion, when all Europe
Is aglow with resentment because Of our
sweeping invasion of the Old World
markets, and when the fear is every
where prevalent that il carries with il
disaster to the native Industries and to
the prosperity Of more than one great
State. On the hypothesis that some sort
OF settlement Will be reached without war
between any of the parties in interest.
the probabilities are that this country
viii be informed that American free
trade with China-or the region hitherto
known 10y that name-cannot be con-
sidered. II viii be explained that Russian
China has been segregated under pro-
tective tariff system modelled on the prin-
ci3les Of Mr.. McKiney's famous meas
Ure. which gave birth to the American
trusts; and, therefore, that it would not
be good politics.. or sound business
methods, 20 pursue a different course in
connection with German China, British
China, or French, Austrian. Italian.
Dutch, or Belgian China Coincidently.
We might be offered some small port and
slice Of land with it, rejecting which We
would be invited to go without anything
This prognosis, Of course, is based upon
the theory that Russia viii not recede
from her position in Mauchuria. that the
Russo Chinese convention will be signed
and that then. whether Japan shall 20
u war with Russia or not Great Britain
Germany, and France will demand and
secure territorial compensation to offset
those granted to the Car The opinion
Is general among diplomats here and
abroad that the three Powers named look
with compacency upon the Chinese con-
cessions 70 Russia in the north as they
VIII justify the other strong nations in
eEacting equal treatment. IT is even
probable that, TO effect the partition
which now seems inevitable and immi-
nent, without encountering the danger 70
the whole worlds peace which hostilities
between Russia and Japan might involve.
Great Britain. Germany, Austria, and
Italy might induce Russia and France to
agree with them upon territorial con
ISOLATION TO the Mikado-say on the main
lapd opposite FormOsa. IN such an event
perhaps the former reasonably friendly
relations Of Russia with Japan might be
restored. While an arrangement Of the
kind mentioned would not remove the
sore point Of Korea. it might be effective
IL saving Japau's face and in allowing
the Mikado's Government TO stop short
OF extreme measures without incurring
the wrath Of the japanese people, who
are In an excitedly belligerent state Of
mind without much thought Of conse-
QUcnces.
Looking over the situation as it ap-
pcared yesterday. on the basis Of our
knowledge and available information. the
probabilities would seem 10 be that the
Russian programme viii be carried out
10 the letter that Japan viii protest Wig
orousiy. but be open 10 placati0n, that the
Powers may join in securing that plaza
tion, and, incidentally, provide for their
own by dividing among themselves what
ever Of China there may be worth having
There is a good prospect, apparently. that
ali this can be done without resulting in
the international quarrel that some peo-
pie regard as unavoidable when the de-