The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-25
Circulation Statement.
The End of the Open Door.


ed over the increased friction In China
and the generally unsatisfactory nature
of current conditions there. one of the
most unpleasant features of the situa-
ton. from an American point of view, is
the distinct triumph of the Russian IL
plomacy in practically securing the elimi-
nation of Manchuria from future consid-
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 tie now
Russian port of Nieu-Chwang. With the
great commercial north zone of the EN-
pire cut off and surrounded by Musco-
vite tariff wall, the most promising sin
gle field in Asia for our enterprise dis
appears What is left of China after the
exclusion of the vast regions referred to
Will 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-
garded with modification, as well as
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 and sudden cut and scuttle from
Pekin. 1t was our blindness in walking
,a4f IL nd
the initiative in rupturing the Concert of
Powers that afforded Russia the excuse
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
mander-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 direct discourtesy to the German
Emperor. 1t established a precedent of
separatist military action, of which Rus
STA has been not slow TO take advantage
1t 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
STA was irresistible and the other nations
in occupation negligible. These are some
of the unpalatable fruits of the amazing
diplomacy of last summers Tsung-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 Hill. the
international expert of our Foreign
Office.
Whatever may be the course of future
events in China. it would seem to be a
fair presumption that the United States
is to be left out in the cold 1t is 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 it carries with 1t
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
will be informed that American free
trade with China-or the region hitherto
known by that name-cannot be con-
sidered. II will be explained that Russian
China has been segregated under a pro-
tective tariff system modelled on the prin-
ci9les of Mr.. McKinley's famous meas
ure. which gave birth to the American
trusts; and, therefore, that it would not
be good politics." or sound business
methods. to pursue 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 will not recede
from her position in Manchuria, that the
Russo Chinese convention Will be signed
and that then, whether Japan shall 20
10 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 compiacency upon the Chinese con-
viii justify the other strong nations in
exacting equal treatment. 1t is even
probable that, TO effect the partition
which now seems inevitable and immi- |
nent, without encountering the danger to |
the whole worlds peace which hostilities |
between Russia and Japan might involve. i
Great Britain. Germany. Austria, and I
Italy might induce Russia and France to |
a gree with them upon territorial con- |
to the Mikado-say on the main |
lapd opposite ForInosa. 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 |
in saving Japans face, and in allowing |
the Mikados Government to stop short |
OF extreme measures without mourning |
the wrath OF the Japanese people, who |
are in an excitedly belligerent state of |
mind without much thought of conse-
quences.
Looking over the situation as It ap- |
pcared yesterday on the basis of our
and available information, the
probabilities would seem to be that the |
Russian programme will be carried out |
20 the letter that Japan will protest Wig
orously. but be open To placation; that the
Powers may join In securing that plaza
zion, and, incidentally, provide for their
own by dividing among themselves what
ever Of China there may be worth having |
There is good prospect. apparently that |
all this can be done without resulting in 4
the International quarrel that some peo-
pie regard ss unavoidable when the de-