The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-15
GERMANY GIVES UP
ALI DESIGNS ON CHINA ABANDONs POLICY OF SPHERES OF
 INFLUENCE.
Other Powers May Aid-Credit for the Growth of the Spirit of Cen- naercial Invasion is Given
 to Secretary Hay.

Washington Special to Chicago Tribune
 Germany has gone a step farther Tn establishing the sincerity of It's pur- pose to act with the United States in maintaining the integrity of and the open door in China than vas indicated in the dispatch published In. The Tribune Saturday morning.
 Not only has the Berlin Government come out squarely and uneduivocally in support of these principles but 1t has specifically declared its abandon ment of the policy of spheres of in- fiuence in the Celestial empire.
 This is great news, and has aroused the most sanguine expectations in ad- ministration circles not only as to the negotiations which will, follow the end of the war, but as to the future gem orally of the Chinese empire.
 The Tribune correspondent Is au- thorized to say that it was only com municated to the President yesterday by Baron speck von sternburg. the German ambassador to the United States The way had been prepared for 1t by the recent response which Germany made to Secretary Hays cir cular note inviting the powers to state whether they still favored the priu- ciples of the integrity of and the open door in China
 It remained, however. for Baron Speck von Sternburg to communicate orally as well as in writing to the President the personal views of the Emperor of Germany and of the Ger man Government which mark the com plete abandonment of the past Hand grabbing" attitude of Germany in China and the inauguration of a policy of unselhshness and international fair play.
 German action insures. the admin istration believes, the eventual aban- i donment by other powers of the | spheres of influence which they pos sess. Great Britain claims the Yang stelxiang valley. an immense region I the most populous of the Chimes em- pire, as it's sphere. British control has been formally recognized by Rus
 sia and Germany. France has pro- | claimed the two Kuang provinces
 which adjoin the French possession of | Tonquin, as it's sphere of influence
 Japan also has a sphere of influence in China which Is comprised in the province of Fukien.
 1 These spheres of influence were re- garded by the administration as dan .gerous, because it was feared they
 would mark the distribution of Chinese | territory when the anticipated parti' ! ton occurred.
 Now, in view of the assurances giver | by Baron Speck von Sternburg and tho | positive representations made by tho
 British representatives. which, how
 ever, have not specifically made men tion of the abandonment of the policy
 of the sphere of influence. the authori' l ties feel that the United States, Grea
 Britain. and Germany are united with out the difference of a hair as to thu future of China, and no combination
 of powers would dare to act contrary | to their advice.
 It cannot be said too often that thu
 credit for this result is due to the
 splendid diplomacy of Secretary Hay Baron von Sternburg, however. deserve;
 the credit for the change which hal
 occurred in the attitude of his govern l ment-
 The ambassador went to Berlin 1T
 December. He knew the condition o
 affairs in China as a result of the yearI spent in that country as the repre-
 sentative of his government. H.
 knew that the policy of the integrit!
 of China and the open door-the Ha!
 policy in short-had become a cardi'
 nal principle of American doctrine. H'
 knew, moreover. that Japanese vic
 tories were aimed not only at Russia
 but beyond her at any country whicf