The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-27
ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES.
This Nation Opposed tc Secret Terri
torfaI or Financial Treaties.


WASHINGTON. March 26.-The crisis in
the Chinese question brought about through
the expiration of the period allowed for the
signature 'by China OF the Manchurian
agreement. was the principal topic before
the Cabinet to-day. The conviction OBJ
tanned that the United States had done all
that ii could properly TO prevent the con-
summation OF this arrangement and TO
make clear 10 the public the complete dis
approval which is entertained by TIE United
States government for this sort OF secret
treaty making. IL was deemed proper to
give out for publication the following men,
orandum covering telegraphic instructions
sent by the State Department 10 the repre-
sentat tives of the United States in Berlin.
Vienna, Paris, London, Rome, Toxic and
St. Petersburg under date of March 1:
''The following memorandum. which was
handed TO the Chinese minister on Feb ID,
Is transmitted TO you for your information
and communication to the government to
which you are accredited:
''The preservation of the territorial integ-
rity of China having been recognized by all
the powers now engaged in joint negotia-
tion concerning the injuries recently intiict-
ed upon their ministers and nationals by
certain officials and subjects of the Chinese
empire, II is evidently advantageous to
China TO continue the present international
understanding upon this subject. 1t would
be. therefore. unwise and dangerous in the
extreme for China to make any arrange
ment or TO consider any proposition of a
private nature involving the surrender of
territory or financial obligations. by con-
vention with any particular power, and the
government of the United States, aiming
solely at the preservation of China from
the danger indicated and the conservation
OF the largest and most beneficial relations
between the empire and other countries. in
accordance with the principles set forth in
its circular note of July 8. 1900. and in a
purely friendly spirit toward the Chinese
empire and all the powers now interested
in the negotiations, desires to express its
sense OF the improperly, inexpediency and
even extreme danger 10 the interests of
China OF considering any private territorial
or financial arrangements at least without
the full knowledge and approval of all the
powers now engaged in negotiation"
THE OPEN DOOR,"
Assuming that the agreement is to be
carried out. it is still the contention of the
State Department that nothing has oc-
curred TO change the status of the United
States toward the 'open door," as applied
TO any part OF China. including Manchuria.
AS far as written pledges commit a
power. Russia stands pledged to accord TO
the United States the "open door, IL she
takes control of Manchuria. either directly
by annexation or indirectly. but quite as
effectually, by the means proposed in this
Russo-Chinese agreement. That is the
view OF the State Department. and that
view is indorsed by the entire Cabinet
The administration believes that the Sc
cret agreement between Russia and China
Is In violation OF the spirit. II not the let
ter. OF the general understanding TO which
all the powers subscribed last summer, and
the United States government is prepared
TO use all its moral suasion and influence
10 prevent its consummation. Further than
that. however. this government is not pre-
pared TO go and the President and the
members OF the Cabinet believe IL is con-
ceivable that Russia Is entitled, perhaps.
to some separate guarantees from China
for the protection OF its railroad conces-
sion in Manchuria. but not 10 the extent
which il is understood the Cars govern
ment is TO obtain by the secret treaty.
This government has information regard
ing this treaty. and while there is no indi-
cation OF the exact nature or source OF this
information. il Is considered accurate and
definite.
The President and Cabinet, ii is under
stood. have no direct information concern
ing the imminent rupture between Russia
and Japan. or its extent. but the develop
menfs are being watched with eager in
terest Generally, IL Is not believed here
that there will be collision between the
two powers, as there Is a strong impress
sion that Japan would not undertake war
with Russia slngle-haaded and there Is no