Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1909-1915, 1909-12-10

6SAFSS uuCuuuSSu ALS pO11Cy ~! SuppoIL-
ing the principle Of equality of oppor-'
tunity and scrupulous respect for the
integrity of the Chinese empire, to
which policy are pledged the interest
ed powers Of both east and west. -
By the treaty of 1908 China has un-.
dertaken the abolition of likin with a
moderate and proportionate raising Of
the customs tariff along with currency
reform. These reforms being mani
fest advantage to foreign commerce as
well as to the interests of China, this
government is endeavoring to facili-
tate these measures and the needful
acquiescence of the treaty powers.
When it appeared that Chinese likin
revenues were to be hypothecated to
foreign bankers In connection with a
great railway project it was obvious
that the governments whose nationals
held this loan would have a certain
direct interest in the question of the
carrying out by China of the reforms
in question. The administration DEEM
ed American participation to be of
great national interest. Happily, when
It was as a matter Of broad policy ur-
gent that this opportunity should not
be lost, the Indispensable instrumental
ity presented itself when a group of
American bankers Of international
reputation and great resources agreed
at once to share in the loan upon pre-
cisely such terms as this government
should approve. The chief of those
terms was that American railway ma
terial should be upon an exact equality
with that of the other nationals join
Ing In the loan in the placing of or
ders for this whole railroad system.
After months Of negotiation the equal
participation OF Americans seems at
last assured.
In one of the Chinese-Japanese con-
ventions of, Sept. Of this year there
was provision which caused consid-
cradle public: apprehension In that
upon its face It was believed in some
quarters to seek to establish monop-
oily Of mining privileges along the
South Manchurian and Antung- -Muk-
den railroads and thus to exclude
Americans from q wide field of enter
prise, to take part In which they were
by treaty with China entitled. After
thorough examination of thesconven-
tions and Of the several contextual
documents the secretary OF state reach.
Fed the conclussiiio Oh inenupa
fo1y was Intended Of y plishad.
This government made inquiry of, the
imperial Chinese and Japanese gov
ernments and received from each off,
5cfal assurance that the provision had
no purpose inconsistent with the poll
cy Of equality Of opportunity to which
the signatortes, In common with the
United States. are pledged. -. r
Our traditional relations with the
japanese empire continue cordial, as
usual. The arrangement of 1908 for
q cooperative control Of the coming
Of laborers to the United States has
| proved to work satisfactorily. The
matter; of revision Of the existing
| treaty between the United States and
| Japan which is terminable in 1912 is
already receiving the study Of both
countries. :&Is 81 s. II r :. .ss y ~.
s2$ The Department Of State. &,%y.: ].
earnestly recommend to the ia yor-
able action of the congress the. esti-
mates submitted by the department of
state and most especially the legisla-
tion suggested In the secretary of
states letter Of this date whereby it
win be possible to develop and make
permanent the reorganization Of the
department upon modern lines in a
manner TO make it. \ thoroughly eff
fcient instrument In the furtherance
of our foreign trade and Of American
interests abroad. ,s.5 .${.< a; &. s5.t 5
Under q provision Of the act Of Aug.
5, 1909, / have appointed three officials
to assist the officers Of the government
IN collecting information necessary to