The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-01-21


statement in regard to the Chinese sit
uation: THE Chinese plenipotentiaries
signed the joint note yesterday, thus
concluding the preliminary stage of the
negotiations.
1t was added that this important
Istep was insignificant compared with
the difficulties to be met with between
the powers themselves, whose clashing
interests will have fun play in the COM
ing discussion. The United States pro-
posals to shift the seat of the negotia-
tions find no favor in the European
lchancellories. 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 at which
the negotiations will be chiefly con-
icerned.
Second-The United States commerce
with China is comparatively small
wherl compared with that of several
other countries Therefore the United
States is not entitled to expect the ne
gotiations to be carried on at Washing
ton.
The third and most difficult reason
advanced is that the European pow
ers have not felt sufficient confidence
that the United States Government
might not find itself Influenced in the
negotiations at Washington by the
pressure of interests, having an eye to
the exploitation of China. The atti-
tude of some of the powers, moreover
is Swayed by other motives in ap-
preaching the United States proposal
Great Britain, for example. which
seems to be the most strongly antagon-
istic. has probably taken into consid-
Grafton the United States attitude to-
ward the 'Clayton-B treaty.
The feeling here favors Shanghai, il
any change is made, as it is pointed
out that Shanghai is the most impor-
tant trade center in China, and more
over, that the southern viceroys who
are favorable to foreigners and anx-
ious to further trade, could make their
influence felt. The enormous British
interests are in favor of the choice OF
DUl IL Is liidt liiS
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-
cIuded with China concerns her special
Interests in regions contiguous to heI
territories. but she has great political
interests to defend, and, further, in the
Joint conference, which will bristle with
obstacles to speedy settlement, Rus-
| sia aims chiefly at a wide expansion
of her political influence. Great Brit
ain 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
advantage, while France and Germany
will desire to increase their trade gen.
orally. and their political influence in
lcertain provinces.
The struggle between these conflicting
designs will be bitter, and in any case
will greatly protract the negotiations.
One thing which Great Britain anc
the United States wish to secure is the
raising of the prohibition which nov
exists in China against foreigners ac
lqufring land interests.
/ SHANGHAI, Jan. 10.-A dispatcf
from Sian Flu (where the Chinese cour
is Iocated) to a native newspaper says
1 "Some of the clauses of the condi
/ itions for peace are impossible of accept
anee, consequently the Emperor ant
Empress and the much-troubled cour
have telegraphed to Lin Kun VI, tn
lviceroy of Nankin, and Chank Ii
ITung, the viceroy of Mankow, to pro
Iceed Immediately to Peking and confe
with the foreign ministers and Chimes
commissioners in an attempt to tn
modification of the obstructive condi
Itions. They have been instructed,
they are unable to proceed to Peking t
propose a suitable meeting place 10
the ministers elsewhere"
! WASHINGTON, jan 10--As some
the foreign powers do not look WIZ
flavor upon the proposition of the Unit
led States recently made as to the with
'drawal of certain features of the nego
Itiations from Peking to Washington,
some other capital, and other power
hesitate to decide the question. tn
President has deemed it advisable t
withdraw the proposition and has di
'rected the diplomatic representative