Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-18
TARIFF TREATY NOW SIGNED
Negotiations Between United States and
China Reach Final Settlement.
MEANS ESTABLISHMENT OF "OPEN DOOR"
Compact Negotiated by F. s. shRr-
retts, who Briefly Informs state
Department of It's Consum-
nation on August 10,

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-THE State de-
partment has received a dispatch from T..
8. sharretts, the treasury expert who was
commissioned by the State department to
negotiate a tariff treaty between the Uni
ted States and China, stating that the
treaty was signed on the 18th instant, and
that he would sail for the United States
on the first steamer
The announcement contained in Mr.. Shar-
retts' brief dispatch to the State depart
ment brings TO a successful conclusion, ne
gotiations which have been in progress for
many months for a tariff treaty between
China andHthis country. 1t was stipulated
as one Of the features Of the peace agree
ment between China and the foreign pow
ers, at the. close of the Boxer outbreak,
that an entirely new fabric to the trade
treaties should be made.
This carried out the purpose Secretary
Hay had maintained throughout the pre-
ceeding negotiations for an open door, "
the desire being to open up foreign commu-
nications with the interior Of China and
thus gain access to the vast markets Of
the empire.
Following the conclusion Of the peace
arrangements, Mr.. sharretts was selected
60 carry on the tariff negotiations in behalf
OF the Onlltu oldNth. lnlb btlbCllou Wdo
due to his long familiarity with tariff at
fairs, as he had assisted in the framing Of
recent tariff legislation before congress,
and had also served as one Of the general
appraisers Of New York. He went to China
about a year ago. and has since been en-
gagged in working out the details Of a tariff
agreement.
II was announced about a month ago
that the British commissioners had con-
cluded a tariff treaty with China, and 1t
was understood at that time that the Brit
ish treaty would serve as a basis for SINH
lar treaties with the United States and other
foreign countries. The State department
was advised at the time that the rates
on imports entering China were 12h per
cent and the export duties ~ per cent.
One Of the most important provisions Of
the British-China treaty was that abolish
ing the Likin tax. II is presumed that
similar rates are made in the American
treaty, and that the Likin tax is abolished
as far as It relates to American goods in
transit. The Likin tax has been one Of the
most burdensome exactions Of the antiquat-
ed Chinese systems, as it was levied by
the officials at various points through the
interior, without uniformity, aud often with
less regard for commercial ends than for
the enrichment Of the INSCRIPTIONS local
officials. The abolition of the Likin tax
will go far toward encouraging foreign
trade and traf1c in the interior Of China.
Mr.. Sharretts' dispatch Is dated at shang-
hal, and does not go into details regard
ing the treaty he has signed.
LONDON, Aug. 1S.-1n a dispatch from
Shanghai the correspondent of the Times
says the protocol of the tariff treaty was
ioiunad vaafardav (Cafurdaul hv tho nritIoh
American, German aud Japanese represent
atlves without reservation and by the Aus
orlan, Gengian and Dutch representatives
nd referendum,
This action, continues the Times corre-
spondent. was principally due to the Amer
lean commissioned IT. S. sharretts) desir-
ing to conclude the business before return
ing to the United States.
The Chinese commissioners lacking i'm
perial sanction. did not sign the protocol;
therefore. IL China modihes 1t, the sigma
lures affixed yesterday will be void.
The document provides that the new tar
IN becomes operative November 1. Portu-
gal. adds the correspondent, complicates the
situation by claiming a concession Of two
small islands near Macao and the right to
build a railroad from Macao to Canton as
a quid pro quo for her acceptance OF the
new tarin. This incident, says the repre-
sentative Of the Times in conclusion, Illus
trates the d~inhculty underlying this whole
question.
ChinR's Exhibit Unprecedented.
SHANGHAI, Aug. 17.-Liu Kun VI, Chang
Chih Tung and Yuan Shat Kau. viceroys re-
spectively of Nan Kin, Hal Kow and gov
Nernor Of Pc Chi LII, In separate conferences
with John Barrett. commissioner general OF
Asia OF the st. Louis exposition, have con-
CURED In making two significant and I'M
eQuivocal declarations. The first is that
the critical time has arrived when China
must make a supreme effort for the promo
tion Of and friendly intercourse
with America and Europe: the second dec
laration is that as an evidence OF It's good
faith In this intention and its appreciation
Of the generous policy Of the United States
toward it. China will make an unprecedented
exhibit at the st. Louis exposition.