Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-25
lMrRloAN RIGHTS M cH1NA.

AMERICAN RIGHTS IN CHINA
The note addressed by our government
to the governments of China and Rus
STA, relative to the granting of conces-
sions by China in the province Of Man
churia, evidences the active interest and
the vigilance of the Department Of State
respecting affairs in the far east 1t was
pointed out in the note that the conces-
sions referred to would constitute a dis
tinct breach Of the stipulations Of the
treaties concluded between China and
the foreign powers, thereby seriously
affecting the rights of American citizens
in restricting their rightful trade and
exposing 1t to being Disseminated
against, interfered with or otherwise
jeopardized. 1t was furthermore de-
clared that the inevitable result of such
concession must be the complete wreck
of the policy Of absolute equality
Of treatment to all nations re-
specting trade, navigation and COM
1t was urged that the attain
ment by one power of exclusive privi-
leges conflicts with the assurances re-
peatedly given by the Russian govern
ment of its intention to follow the policy
Of the open door as advocated by the
government Of the United States and
accepted by all the treaty powers having
commercial interests in China.
; UfHo,n n N no No onoOtof aofrpt "A 90 nOo
in the fact that the date of the Ameri-
can note comedies closely with that Of
the treaty between Great Britain and
Japan, which has in view the same end.
was being negotiated and it is possible
that this knowledge prompted the note,
as being the only proper way In which
our government could indicate it's sym
Great Britain and Japan for the purpose
Of preserving the territorial integrity of
China and maintaining equality of com
mercial privileges in that empire for all
nations. AT all events the statement
of the American position gives a force to
the attitude, of the trading powers in
China that the Angio-Japanese treaty
alone could not have lent it. The ef-
feet is to identify the United States as
fully with the position of Great Britain
and Japan as If our government were, q
party to the treaty. 1t recognizes the
fact that the interests and aims of the
three powers. in respect to China, are
the same and is a virtual declaration of
the purpose OF the United States to sup
port the other powers In maintaining
those interests. There is no threat in
the note, but simply a plain statement
Of the case and an appeal to the sense
of justice and the friendship Of the pow.
ers addressed. 1t is a plain and earnest
diplomatic representation the signih.
canoe of which cannot be misunderstood
The United States wants no exclusive
concessions or privileges in China and II
asks that none shall be given to any
other power. The American view was
stated some time ago by Secretary Hay
when he said: "We believe that a fab
field and nc favor is all we require, and
with less than that we cannot be salts.
fed"
A Russian paper recently advised the
British to forget Manchuria, saying that
the destiny Of Manchuria was settled
when the first step was taken for the
construction of the eastern Chinese rail
way and raj definitely settled wher
Russia announced that her troops would
remain In Manchuria until China guar
anteed the protection Of Russian. inter
ests. cit is a matter which will b,
settled by agreement between Russil
and China" said that paper; 1.-THE treaty
between Great Britain and Japan will
not affect it" With those powers anC
the United States opposing schemes o.
Russia to strengthen her hold upol
China it is improbable that the Chimes
government win make any agreemen
not satisfactory to the three powers.