Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-01-07
KNOX FOR OPEN
DOOR IN CHINA
Secretary of State Wants
the Powers to Turn Over
Manchurian Railway.
OVERTURES TO NATIONS


has suggested to the powers interested
in the Manchurian railway situation a
plan contemplating the naturalization
Of those railroads by their sale to Chi
ma, the transaction to be financed by
an international syndicate.
If Mr.. Knox's plan is carried into eff
feet the result will be to take the Man
churlan railways out Of oriental poll
tics and place them under economic
and impartial administration. The
ownership of the railways will be vest
ed in the Chinese government, the
funds for the purpose to be loaned to
China by the bankers of those coun-
tries which are pledged to maintain
the open door policy in China.
American Policy In Far East.
Discussing this subject, Mr.. Knox
said:
"The proposition of the United States
to the interested powers looking to the
naturalization of the -Manchurian rail
roads discloses the end toward which
AuGllCdn III AuC Idl C'tHA iio''
been recently directed.
Late in May last this government
learned that an understanding had
been reached between important Brit
ish, French and German financial
groups, supported by their govern
ments, by which they were to furnish
funds for the construction of two
great railways in China. This govern
ment suggested that American cooper
alton with the powerful international
financial group already formed would
be useful to further the policies to
which all were alike pledged.
"Chis government pointed out that
the greatest danger at present in Chi
ma to the open door and the develop
ment of foreign trade arose from dis
agreements among the great western
nations and expressed the opinion that
nothing would afford so impressive an
object lesson to China and the world
as the sight of the four great capital
istic nations-Great Britain, Germany,
France and the United States-stand-
ing together for equality of CONNER
cial opportunity.
President Wrote to Prince Chun.
"Owing to the strong opposition that
had developed in certain official quar-
ters in China and elsewhere the presi-
dent felt warranted in resorting to the
somewhat unusual method of commu-
nicating directly with his imperial
highness Prince Chun, regent of the
Chinese empire, informing the latter
that he was greatly disturbed at the
reports of certain prejudiced opposition
to the Chinese governments arranging
for equal participation by American
capital in the Hukuang loan.
"As a result of this communication
an agreement was soon reached with
the Chinese government that American
bankers should take one-fourth of the
total loan and that Americans and
American materials should have all
the same rights, privileges and prefer
ences for all present and prospective
lines that were reserved to the British,
German and French.
Only First Step in New Plan.
The action of the government In re-
spect to the pending loan was but the
first step in new phase of the tradi-
tional policy of the United States In
China and with special reference to
Manchuria. The essential principles
of the open door policy are the preser-
vatiOn Of the integrity Of the Chinese
empire and equal commercial opportu-
nifty in China for all nations.
This government believes that the
most effective way to secure for Chi.
ma undisturbed enjoyment of all po-
litical rights in Manchuria and to pro-
mote the normal development of the
eastern provinces under the policy OF
the open door practically applied
would be to take the railroads of Man
churia out Of western politics and place
them under an economic and impartial
administration by vesting in China the
ownership of the railroads, the funds
for that purpose to be furnished by
the nationals Of such interested pow
ers rs might be willing to participate
and who are pledged to the policy of
the open door and equal opportunity.
Would Create immense Neutral Zone.
Such policy would effect a com
plete commercial naturalization of
Manchuria and make a large contribu-
tlon to the peace of the world by con
yerting the provinces of Manchuria
into an immense commercial neutral
zone.
The project has already received
the approval in principle of the Brit
ish government. There are reasons
to believe that such a plan might also
meet with like favorable consideration
on the part of Russia Germany and
China cordially approve the American
suggestion, and reports from Japan
indicate that the project may likewise
be received with favor by that cOun-
try"