New-York tribune., 1902-02-13
GrAPnLNG THE OPEN DOOR.

GUARDING THE OPEN DOOR.
The open door in China will henceforth have
two mighty guards That is TO and to the
world in general the primary purport Of the
startling offensive and defensive alliance which
has been concluded between Great Britain and
Japan Those two great pOwers-absolutey
dominant in that part Of the world-have united
in a unique and epoch marking compact for
maintaining the independence and territorial
Integrity of China and Corea, and in securing
equal opportunities in those countries for the
commerce and industry of all nations"-not for
themselves alone. but for "all nations That
is a noble purpose. It's execution will doubt
less prove profitable TO the two powers which
have made the treaty. 1t will in equal meas
ure prove profitable to the United States and to
every other we'll disposed power. and will ad-
vance the interests Of civilization. justice and
human enlightenment The strength of its ap-
peal TO the moral sympathy and approval of
the world is obvious in its terms. For any ma
ton TO oppose it would be substantially 10 avow
a purpose 10 spolate China or Corea. or 10
secure in them exclusive privileges TO the dis
advantage of the rest of the world tt may be
too much to hope that, amid the jealousies,
intrigues and aggressive ambitions OF the pow
ers. even so just and generous a convention as
this will pass unchallenged and undenounced.
At least may affirm in confidence that it
we'll deserves thus 10 pass. Certainly it will be
regarded with unalloyed satisfaction by the
United States-the country which stands by
the side of Great Britain and Japan in magni-
tude of commercial interests in China and
Corea and in honest desire for the maintenance
of their open door and their territorial integ-
rity.
We have described the treaty as a startling
one. 1t is that in more than one respect. For
thing, it makes an end of Great Britaln's
splendid isolation" For years there has been
growing up I'm that country tradition, or
feeling, against foreign alliances. almost as
marked as our own "unwritten law" It IS
many years since Great Britain has had
diplomatic and military partner for her rea-
tions with Italy though most friendly have
been purely informal and sentimental Now
she takes a hard and fast partner on terms
more specific and effective than those uniting
the Dreibund or linking France and Russia to-
gether; and she thus allies herself with a great
power Of exceptional military and naval Prov
ess, and Of a peculiarly proud and aggressive
disposition. Startling is 1t, too, because it is an
alliance not merely Of nations, but also of con-
tinents and of races. Western Europe is linked
with Eastern Asia. The flower of the Caucasian
race is allied with the flower Of the Monaghan
This latter is one of the most noteworthy feat
ureS Of the case Only n little while ago Eng
lishmen were saying regretfully and apologeti-
cally, that any such alliance was impossible
because of the differences in race and religion.
They admired Japan, of course. and wished her
all possible prosperity. But an alliance between
white men and yellow between Christians and
"heathens," was out Of the question. But now
that very thing is done. Great Britain makes
Of Japan as close an ally as she could Of any
into the confraternity of the most enlightened
nations of the globe. In truth, with the change.
of a single word,
There is neither East nor West, Border. nor
Breed. nor Birth.
When two strong powers stand face TO face
tho they come from the ends Of the
1t is Immediately said, OF course that this
treaty is aimed at Russia. That may be. 1t
is aimed impersonally at any and every power
that may seek to spoliate China or Corea or to
close the open doors of those countries against
the nations of the world. If Russia has no
such purposes this treaty is not aimed at her
II she has such purposes, it is aimed at her
and-without offence-it ought to be- No ma
ton is more friendly TO Russia than is the
United States. But the United States has no
mind TO have her vast commercial interests in
China destroyed, or TO have the door which she
opened in China TO all the world slammed in
her face by power of minor interests in that
empire We do not say that Russia would
thus shut the door against US If she would
not, then she can find no fault with this treaty.
Beyond question, however, current reports
plausible and uncontradicted, indicate such an
intention on Russia's part with respect to Man
churia, the very part Of China in which we are
most interested. If those reports be true. then
this treaty is to be welcomed es a harrta,
against monstrous wrong and as a potent aid
TO this country in maintaining its rights in
Asia. There have been intimations of late that
Great Britain, Japan and the United States
were working together at Peking to thwart Rus
sian designs upon Manchura. The three have
a community of interests in that part of the
world, and are natural and logical allies The
United States is not party to this treaty
1t does not enter into such alliances But II will
welcome this treaty as a guarantee of its own
welfare. and will continue to give it's cordial
sympathy and moral cooperation to the two
great and friendly powers which have made II
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