Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-21
UNITED STATES PROTESTS
Nothing Uncertain About Position on
Conditions in China.
HOLDS RUSSIA AND CHINA TO OPEN DOOR
Not n Party to British-Japanese
Treaty, but UphOIds Its PrInci-
pIe-Germany Also Takes
came Position.

A11NA AaNN ~ ENbA haA ~
A sensation was caused in diplomatic
circles here today when It became known
that the United States. through Secretary
OF State John Hay. had sent a note to the
Russian and Chinese governments closely
along the lines Of the An~glo-Jspanesc
treaty Of January 30. The note is a dis
tinct warning to both China and Russia
that the United States will not permit the
integrity Of the empire to be molested in
favor Of one nation to the detriment OF
another.
The note, which practically endorses the
English treaty with Japan. says:
WASHINGTON, Feb. IAN agreement
company the exclusiv. right or privilege
of opening mines, establishing railroads or
MancHuris can be but viewed with the
gravest concern by the government of the
II constitutes a monopoly which is a
distinct breach of the stipulations Of the
treaties concluded between China and
Affects the rights Of American citizens.
II restricts their rightful trade, exposing
u tSS 9eihs 9escTiminsted against; inter-
strongly tends to permanently impairing
China-s SOVEREIGN rights in this part of the
empire. while 1t seriously interferes. with
its ability to meet Its international obliga-
lions.
Furthermore, such a concession on
China's part would undoubtedly be fol-
lowed by demands from other powers for
similar equal extensive advantages else
where In the Chinese empire, and the in
evitable result must be the complete wreck
of the policy of absolute equality Of treat
ment to all nations respecting trade. navi-
CATION and within the empires
confines.
on the other hand, the attainment by one
power of such exclusive powers for the
commercial organizations of Its nationality
conflicts with the assurances repeatedly
given to this government of the Imperial
Russian ministry of foreign affairs of the
imperial governments intention to follow
by the government OF the United States
and accepted by all the treaty powers hav-
ing commercial interests In the empire.
ment of the United States, now as for
merly, animated by the sincerest desire
OF insuring to the whole world the benefits
of full and fair intercourse between China
and the nations on a footing of equal
rights and advantages to all, submits the
above to the earnest consideration of the
imperial governments of China and Russia,
confident that they will give due weight to
such measures as will relieve the just and
natural anxiety OF the United States.
Holds to Traditional Policy.
The Tribune prints the following special
from Washington:
1t has been understood here from the
outset that the terms Of the British
japanese agreement to preserve the integ-
rity Of Japan were submitted In advance to
President Roosevelt and Secretary Hay and
approved by them. Following out the ira
ditional policy, however, of avoiding en-
tangling alliances the United States posi-
lively declined to become a party to any
actual agreement concerning China.
When Lord Cranborne, in the British
Parliament last week, declared that there
was no doubt the British Japanese agree
ment would m the full approval OF
- n OA-N-- ~ Ia
The agreement between Great Britain
and Japan was dated January So There
is, therefore, deep significance that on Feb
ruary /, two days after the treaty was
signed, this country sent to Russia a note
practically adopting the principle Of the
treaty as the policy of the United States.
The agreement between Great Britain and
Japan is largely a military one. and pro-
vides for a joint use Of forces in case of
hostilities.
Secretary Hays letter, OF course, could
not go to that extent. but the substance
Of It. as telegraphed, leaves no doubt that
Russia has been notified of the fact in
strong diplomatic language that the moral
support of the United States is with Great
Britain and Japan. and that this country
will resent any failure on the part Of Rus
STA 10 redeem any pledge it made to Presi-
dent Mckinley that the open door policy
should be applied to Manchuria.
Apparently Secretary Hay waited until
after the British-Japanese treaty was made
public that the note might have all the
weight of an Endorsement Of that treaty.
1t Is believed here also that Germany
wrote a similar note to Russia, and that,
while the emperor was unwilling to par
ticipate In an alliance with England and
Japan, he was not averse to letting the
ezar know that Germany's commercial in
terests in the Orient would be j~ealously
guarded. 1t Is expected, in fact, that Ger
many and the United States will be found
to be occupying almost the same position
and thus the result will be that Russia and
Francs will be arrayed on one side and
Great Britain, Germany, Japan and the
United States on the other.