Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-01-21

Paris, Jan. las d ASSuAI "
nuiries in authoritative quarters the
Associated Press is given the follow
ing statement in regard to the Chlnese
situation: "The Chinese plenipoten'
tiaries signed the joint note yesterday
thus concluding the preliminary stage
Of the negotiations.
It was added that this Important
step was insignificant compared with
the difficulties to be met with between
the mowers themselves, whose CLASH
ing interests will have full play IN the
coming discussions. The United
States proposal to shift the seat OF ne
gotiations finds no favor in European
chancelIories. Three reasons are CIV
en- for this opposition:
First-It is considered a great mis-"
take to transfer negotiations from
China where all the information is at
hand respecting the situation and the
feeling among the Chinese themselves
regarding the conditions OF trade and
commerce with which the negotiations
will be cn4efiy concerned.
Second-The United States COM
merce with China is comparatively
small when compared with that OF sew
eral other countries, therefore the
United States is not entitled to expect
the negotiations to be carried on at
Washington.
Third-The most delicate reason adj
vanced is that the European powers
have not felt sufficient confidence that
the United States government might
not find Itself influenced in the nego-
tiaClOns at Washington by the pres
sure of interests having an eye to the
exploitation of China.
The attitude of some of the powers,
moreover, is swayed by other motives
in opposing the United States pro-
Dosal. Great Britain, for example,
which seems to be most strongly
antagonist, has probably taken into
consideration the United States atti-
tude towards the Clayton-BulW7 r
treaty. The feeling here favors
Shanghai, if any change is made, as 1t
is pointed out that Shanghai is the
most important trade center in China
moreover and that the southern VICE
roys who are favorable to the foreign
ers and anxious to further trade could
make their influence felt. Failing
Shanghai, Berlin or Paris is more like
lv to be chosen. The enormous Brit
ish interests are in favor OF the choice
of Lonuon. but it is improbable that
the other powers will agree to this.
There is no reason to suppose that
40
negotiations. The treaty it has con
cIuded with China concerns its special
interests in the regions contiguous TO
it's territories but it has great political
interests to defend and further III the
Joint conference which will brlstle
with obstacles to a speedy settlement
Russia aims chiefly at wide eXpan-
sion of it's political influences. Great
Britain wants the Chinese empire to
be favorable to commerce and at the
same time strengthen it's political foot
hold. The United States efforts ap-
parentIy will be devoted to securing
commercial advantages, while France
and Germany will desire to increase
their trade generally and their polltl-
cal influence in certain provinces.
The struggle between these conflicting
designs will be bitter and in any case
will greatly protract the negotiations.
One thing Great Britain and the Unit
ed States wish to secure is the raising
of the prohibition which now exists in
China against foreigners acquiring
landed interests.
Wlthdraws Proposition.
Washington, Jan. 11-As some OF
the foreign powers do not look with
favor upon the proposition of the
United States to transfer certain
features of Chinese negotiations from
Pekin to Washington, the president
has deemed it advisable to Withdraw
the offer and has directed the diplo-
matte representatives of the United
States to So inform the different gov
ernmentS.