The Washington times., 1911-02-20

nlm- Furthermore, they had a private
conference with him, from which they
emerged smiling and happy.
Told of Friendship.
Mr.. Taft told the Chinese that the
United States was China's friend. and
would see her through her troubles. At
that very time the American battIeship
fleet was preparing for its sensational
cruise around the world, and the East
was prompt to discover a special sig
nlfCance in the fact that America was
making such a naval demonstration at
the very time when Mr.. Taft delivered
his declaration concerning Americas
attitude toward the far East.
Declaring that Americas far Eastern
policy is one of positive and determined
strength. Mr.. Taft said to the Chinese
nation:
There is not the slightest danger
of a sudden cessa ton of the pres,
ent relations of the United States
to the Philippines. such as would
be involved in sale of those
islands. and for our present pur-
pose the attitude of the United
States toward China must be re-
garded not only as that of a coun-
try interested in the trade of
China, but also as that of a power
owning territory in China imme-
diate neighboThoOd.
The policy of the Government of
the United States has been author
itatively stated to be that of seek
ing the permanent safety and peace
of the Chinese. the preservation OF
Ckina's territorial and administra-
tive entity, the protection of all
rights guaranteed by her to friend
ly powers by treaty and tnterna-
tional law, and as a safeguard for
the world, the principle of equal
and impartial trade with all parts
of the Chinese empire. This was
the policy which John Hay made
famous as that of the half closed
open door. By a written memoir
andum. all the great powers in
terested in the great trade Of
China have subscribed to it's wis
dom and declared their adherence
to il.
The Government of the United
States has not deviated in the
slightest way from its attitude in
this regard since the policy was
announced in 1900.
Promised Protection.
But Mr.. Taft did not stop with q
mere reiteration of the Hay policy.
He continued:
/ American trade in China is suf-
fiCiently great to require the Gov.
ernnent of the United States to
take every legitimate means to
protect IL against diminution or
injury by the political preference
of any of it's competitors.
How far the United States would
go in the protection of its Chinese
trade no one, of course, can say.
This much Is clear. however: That
the merchants of the United States
are being aroused to the impO$t-
arCe of their Chinese export trade:
that they would view political OBJ
stacles to it's expansion with deep
would be likely to find expression
in the attitude OF the American
Government.
The United States and others who
favor the open door policy. will.
If thev desire. not only welcome.
but will encourage this great Chi
nese emipre to take long steps in
administrative and governmental
reforms and in the development OF
her natural resources. and in the
Improvement of the welfare OF
her people.
For the reasons I have given il
does not seem to me that the cry
of "China for the Chinese should
frighten anyone. III that is meant
by II is that China should devote
her energy TO the development of
her immense resources, to the ele-
vation of her Industrious people.
trade, and the administrative re-
form OF the empire as a great na-
tional government.
Created Sensation.
At the time that speech was made
in Shanghai it created a sensation
throughout the East. where it was
regarded as the strongest pronounce
ment ever given of Americas pur-
pose to adept whatever measures
might be necessary to maintain the
integrity of China. and equality of
commercial opportunity. 1t attracted
little attention. in the United States
till nearly a year later. But it's tone
and yigor are now recalled as highly
suggestive of the probability that be-
fore Russia, Japan and Britain will
be permitted to proceed far with a
project of partition of China a de-
termined effort may be expected from
the Washington Government to re-
habilftate its position in the East and
insist that the powers shall stand by
their original adhesion to the Hay
open-door program