Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-11-13
OPEN DOOR IN CHINA.

The Chinese minister, Sir Chentung
 Liang Cheng, speaking on The Con- mercial Relations Between China and the United States' at the recent dinner of the Pittsburg chamber of commerce, which concluded the founders ceremo- nies of the Carnegie institute, said:
 T can hardly say that the American people have made the most of their op- portunities in Chi..a.
 There was time when the United States occupied much better position in the China trade than it does now. Ships flying the American flag used to be seen at every treaty port First went the American flag; then gradual ly followed one after another the old mercantile establishments that had for years upheld the American name in the far east. The great house of Russell & Go. was the last to go The failure of that house was such heavy blow to the commercial prestige of the United States that the effect of 1t is still felt at the present day. No serious effort has been since made to recover the ground thus lost.
 There is good reason for this,seem- ing indifference on the part of the Americans to their great opportunities in the orient. They have been so oc- cupied at home that they have had no time for things abroad The domestic market has engrossed all their energy and attention, but the industrial expan- sion of the country seems to have now reached the limit of home consumption. There can be no restriction of produc- tion, which would only mean industrial stagnation and retrogression. A for elgn market must be found for Ameri- can goods.
 There is no doubt that China is just the market required. The American government at least has spared no diplomatic efforts to secure the estab- lishment of the open door policy in China. The recognition of this policy by all nations concerned is a triumph of American diplomacy. It. may now be regarded as an established principle of international law as applicable to far eastern questions as the Monroe doctrine is to purely American ques- tions. But it must be remembered that the open door means open competl- tIon and leaves the law of the survival of the Attest in full operation. There are active competitors already in the field, and Americans have to take their chances with the rest
 Tn this competition the people of Europe have resorted to all available methods to advance their interests. They welcome all Chinese students who come to enter their schools and universities, they encourage Chinese merchants to visit their country, and they treat Chinese travellers with friendly consideration.
 But it has seemed good to the Unit ed States to adopt different policy, with the result that all Chinese of the desirable class have for years past en- deavored to avoid the American shores as much as possible. The consequence is that every Chinese who has been in Europe becomes on bis return to China an ardent admirer of European meth ods and institutions. while every Chi nese who has been in the United States has only a sorrowfui tale to tell on his return of American inhospitality. l mention this merely as a matter of fact, not In criticism of the govern mental policy of the United States. but just to show how Europe wins an ad- vance agent where America turns away a possible customer.
 T am pleased to note the announce ment by President Roosevelt of a change of policy in this regard with the view of giving the Chinese what be so expressively calls a square deal You may be assured that China Is ready to meet any friendly advance on the part of the United States more than halfway, and I hope that the only cause of difference which has so long disturbed the good understanding be- tween tbe two countries will soon be amicably adjusted.
 -Of far greater interest to Ameri- cans Is the great undertaking which the Chinese government has only fair ly begun of gridironlng the empire with railroads China proper. together with Manchuria. Is of about the sine of the United States. You have about 2J0000 miles of railroads In the eoun- try and are constantly adding to this immense milezgc. With five times the population of the United States and about the same extent Of territory the eighteen provinces of China and the three provinces of Manchuria have only 1.500 niles of railroads. Railroad building has a great future in China
 In conclusion Sir Lian Cheng said.
 The national control of railroads Is a problem vhsch fhe government of China ss vel as that of the United stzts has to solve. Perhaps some Sf us here will Eve to see a great many rise frun the banks of thoae streams wh0se wassrs swell the foods Of the rzjesfc Tarztse or fae dezfruc-