Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-04
TIE OPEN ponR POLICY.

Ambassador Mccormick. who has just
returned to this country from st. Peters
burg, says that Russia will undoubtedly
maintain the open door to trade in
Manchuria and his opinion in the matter
is Of course entitled to great considera-
ton. Recent advices from Peking, how
ever indicate that Russia is inhexibly
opposed TO having any new doors to
trade opened in Manchuria and that
therefore the efforts Of other powers in
Guiding the United States, to have ad-
ditional ports for foreign commerce
established in that province by the
Chinese government is likely to fail. If
Russia is really favorable to the open
door policy in Manchuria and honestly
intends to maintain it, II she wants
foreign trade to go there for the develop
ment of the country, as has been as
serted by the Russian ambassador to the
United States, why does she oppose the
opening Of new ports to such trader
Perhaps the true explanation is appre-
hension on the part of Russia that If
larger opportunities for trade were given
foreign nations her policy in regard to
Manchuria, which undoubtedly contem-
plates absolute domination. might be
interfered with. With existing condi-
tions maintained she can probably carry
out this policy, but affording larger op-
portunities for the admission of other
foreigners would be very likely to
strengthen opposition to Russian ad-
vance and thus embarrass and possibly
defeat the designs of that power. Her
demands for certain concessions China
has refused, on the remonstrance of
other powers. to grant, but the Chinese
government is unwilling TO risk compli-
cations with Russia by acceding to the
requests of other nations for the opening
of new ports in Manchuria. In this
particular Russian influence has shown
itself to be supreme at Peking.
There appears to be nothing more for
the powers to do than to continue to in
sist that China shall grant no further
concessions or advantages to Russia in
Manchuria which might be inimical to
other foreign interests. They cannot
reasonably expect China to do anything
likely to involve her in serious complica-
tions. Certainly, the United States will
go no farther than to insist upon its
treaty rights, which are ample for the
protection Of our interests in China.
Under the treaty concluded nearly sixty
years ago, before there was any ap-
pearapce of Russian influence in Man
churia, 1t is provided that citizens Of the
United States resorting to China for the
purposes of commerce shall in no case
be subject to other or higher duties than
are or shall be required of the people OF
any other nation whatever, and that ii
additional advantages and privileges OF
whatever description be conceded here
after by China to any other nation, the
United States and the citizens thereof
shall be entitled to complete
equal and impartial participation
in the same. Nothing has happened
to impair the force of this obligation
On the contrary it has rather beer
broadened and emphasized by our sub
sequent commercial treaties with China
Our right, therefore, to equal trade priv
ileges and opportunities in Manchuria II
not due to Russian favor or concession
but is distinctly a treaty right, which
our government may properly demand
of China shall be respected.