Evening star., 1903-07-16


received from the Chinese government that
1t will in the near future open to the world
trade several new ports in Manchuria. The
Russian government has also conveyed for
NAL assurance to the government of the
United States that it is not opposed in any
way to the opening of these ports
The particular ports to he opened are not
yet named, hut it is understood that they
will be Mukden. the most important in
ternal port of Manchura, and Ia Tung
kao. on the Yalu river.
Meeting at Port Arthur.
II now develops that the meeting of Rus
sian officials at Port Arthur. just conclud-
ed. was but one of the steps. though an i'm
portant one. which the st. Petersburg gov
ernment had planned in execution of its
purpose to place matters of internal ad-
ministration in Manchuria in such condi-
ton that the ports desired by the United
States and Japan could be opened to trade
without causing disturbance or involving
Undue sacrifice of proper Russian interests.
1t had already been represented that much
of the friction that had grown out of the
Manchurian question was caused by sort
of triple yet independent administration of
affairs in Manchuria by representatives of
different branches of the Russian govern
ment The result was that one official
would not feel bound by the pledges made
by another, so that foreign nations COM
planned of bad faith. 1t is understood that
now, following the Port Arthur conference,
u compact and responsible direction of af-
fair has been arranged for and that orders
is;,.ed from ST. Petersburg certain to
meet with speedy and exact compliance.
Keen Satisfaction Here.
Although no set time is mentioned in the
promise to open the ports, 1t is believed
that that will follow soon after the Rus
sian evacuation in September. The prospect
gives the keenest satisfaction here. for Sec
retary Hay has been for more than two
years in steady pursuit of the 'open door"
in Manchuria. which. he has already point
ed out. is important to the vast cotton
interests of the south.
Respecting the two ports mentioned as
likely to be opened, namely. Mukden and
TIA Tung kao, 1t may be said that both
politically and from trade point of view
the latter port is apt to prove the more i'm
poTtant. This is the fact, although the
place is now so little known that the name
is not to be found on many of the best
charts 1t lies on the right bank of the
Yau river not far from the mouth. and
close to it is the CoTean town of Weju
important trade center which will
undoubtedly prove tributary to the
port. AT present Ia Tung Kao does not
amount to much bat rapid development is
looked for soon as il becomes treaty
port. At first the United States govern
ment sought to have Takushan made the
open port in that part of Manchuria. but
the japanese favored Ia rung kao. and the
United States abandoned Takushan in favor
of Ia Tung kao when it appeared that the
latter is open ali the year around while
Takushan is closed 10y ice during several
winter months.
Mukden is at the head of navigation on
1.iao river and is the point from which
caravans start through Manchuria and
Siberia. 1t is at present the largest mart in
MancEGria. next to NiuChwang.
Hay and Cassini
1t is now known that the negotiations,
which have terminated so successfully to-
day, far broad lines are concerned
for only details remain to be adjusted, We're
practically brought TO their present phase
by Secretary Hay and Count Cassini at a
meeting at the Russian embassy. June IS
the day before the Secretary departed for
Newport. The ambassador then had in
hand the necessary authorization from his
own government tn make the pledges which
are now in process of redemption.
Mr.. Hansen. whom the ambassador left
in charge, in his call at the State Depart
ment Tuesday took occasion to reitelate
these pledges and reduce them to the form
OF written promises, intimating that he
would he able within a few days add the
final approval of the government to his un-
dertakings.
1t now remains for Mr.. Conger to define
in the trade treaty which he is negotiating
with China the terms and conditions under
which the new ports TO be opened IL
may De stated that had the United States
government cared to pursue IL selfish policy
In this matter II might have easily secured
promises of special privileges from Rus
sia. but Secretary Hay has held to the
broader doctrine of the open door for the
whole world.
Simultaneously with the promise to open
up NdnChurIa to the worlds trade comes a
report To the bureau of commerce and labor
from United States Consul Miller at Much
wang Ohe only open ror; in Manchuria) re-
FpeCting the cotton goods .rade of that
province. He says that the great market
for cotton goods in Manchuria is attract
Ing the earnest attention of Russian manu-
tacturers at Moscow. They are seeking IN
capture a good share of the II .Oeou,O taels'
CS12, $4,000 worth of cotton goods trade
that annually comes through that port and
are offering most tempting Inducements to
merchants here to go to Moscow to pur-
chase their supplies.
The consul refers to dispatch to the
minister at Peking, In which he mentioned
that Russian agent had taken a number
of merchants 10 Moscow to make a con-
tract for the Importation of drills initiating
American products. He now reports the re-
turn of these merchants to Niuchwang be-
cause the drills were not quite up to the
standard of the American in quality.
New Factor in Cotton Goods Trade.
The completion of the Siberian railway
has certainly brought a new factor I'm the
great cotton goods trade of north China.
and American manufacturers must be alive
to the situation and adjust their business
arrangements to meet these new conditions
If they wish to hold their trade
The Voluneer fleet, heavily subsidized by
the Russian government, is bringing Rus
sian goods to north China at very low
freight rates. and these goods are being
entered at Port Arthur and Dalny without
Paying any customs duties: besides the port
charges for ships are nominal, and there
are no pilot charges. American goods go
first to Shanghai. where customs duties and
port charges, storage and handling are
paid and are then reshipped to Niuchwang
where freight, pilotage port and handling
charges are again paid. This fleet consists
Of fourteen steamers with a total tonpa.a