The Washington herald., 1908-02-24
MONDAY. FEBRUARY "a. 1908
The Far Easfs Open Door.

The arrival OF the optimistic Baron
Takahira as Ambassador Of Japan TO
the United States. with his sunny pro-
nouncement as TO the cardinal objects
OF my august sovereign" seems 10 make
all the war talk of a few weeks ago un-
utterably foolish and farfetched. At the
same time it is learned that the Japanese
answer on the immigration question is
on its way 20 this country through the
hands os Ambassador O'Brien.
Much OF the silly war talk was caused
by the question OF japanese immlgra-
tion. and undoubtedly the government Of
the Mikado was surprised 10 find that
when il came TO a question of competi-
tiOn in labor the japanese were ciassed
with the Chinese; but this cloud seems
TO have passed. and the one thing that
remains for permanent settlement, a
matter in which the good faith OF the
United States is pledged. is the question
as to the integrity OF China. There was
q time not so long ago when the dis
ruption of China seemed threatened from
many causes. Russia, through Manchu-
ria. seemed inclined for extensive terri
tOrial aggrandiZement; Germany, with a
foOthOld at Kia-chOu. looked longingly at
the rich Shantung province; France was
willing 10 extend her holdings, and Great
Britain was not behind any Of them in
seeking advantage. But the Russo-Japa-
nese war changed all that and to-day the
one power that seeks an outlet for her
emigration. which, being on the ground.
seems to claim sort of divine right to
act as schoolmaster and exploiter to
China. is Japan. When the Boxer troubles
were settled eight years ago, It was our
own Secretary Hay who secured an agree
ment with the powers Ito safeguard for
trade with all parts of the Chinese en-
pire." This was the "open-door policy"
and it has been observed strictly by all
nations but One-Jaran.
The Russo-Japanese war left Japan
master of a stretch Of territory in Man
churia which has since been exploited
for the exclusive benefit OF Japan and
japanese merchants. So far from the
door being open, It has been closed by
tariffs and customs regulations which ap-
piled TO all foreign goods, and not 10
japanese merchandise. and this sort OF
commercial unfairness has been INDUCED
in so persistently as to call forth pro-
tests from Germany and Great Britain.
whose commercial interests in China are
larger than those of the United States.
China is growing rapidly. and much of
lis growth is due to the work OF Ameri-
can missionaries, American schools.
American commercial enterprises. The
time has arrived when she not oGly does
not look with hostility on railroads; she
invites their construction, and she has
wisely determined, as far as possible TO
take all foreign concessions into her own
hands and do her own building and de-
veloping. To such a movement on the
part of China the United States might
well look favorably and encouragingly.
BY our very position geographically, we
should be able TO furnish In fair competi-
ton most Of the railroad supplies that
China will use within the next hundred
years; and II China buys in an open mar
ket, we have our chance. II the task is 10
be left TO the hands Of German, British.
or japanese capitalists. It is hardly likely
that the door will be opened wide enough
10 allow us. as traders, to get in. We
nave got 10 recognize that the "open
door in China and Manchuria is
phrase fun Of meaning-that it has JUS
uee behind it. and that we. as 4 nation
deeply interested, have right to insist
on the present treaties being observed.