The Washington times., 1911-02-20
By JUDSON c. wELLIvER.

Has the United States Govern
ment, as a result of snubs and re-
buffs received from the other pow
ers interested in far eastern affairs,
given up effort to enforce the open
door policy in China?
Is the doctrine of maintaining
Chinas integrity and insisting on
the open door-the doctrine of John
Hay and Roosevelt-being broken
down " the antagonism and the
closely-knit community of purpose
among powers which do not favor it?
These and related questions are
being asked by people concerned
about our far eastern interests, in
view of the remarkable attitude re-
Gently taken by Russia in China.
Triple Alliance Formed.
Since the Russo-Japanese war Russia
and Japan have established a close ac-
cord as to Chinese affairs, and the
Anglo-Japanese alliance is regarded as
the assurance that the British govern
ment is in harmony with Russian and
Japanese purposes. Manchurian affairs
have been adjusted TO a basis which is
commonly regarded as practically max
ing Manchuria a Russo-Japanese prov
ince. Now comes the announcement
that st. Petersburg has delivered some
thing like an ultImatum to China,
threatening invasion Of the province of
III in Chinese Turkestan, unless China
promptly settles claims which Russia
alleges have accrued under the old
treaty of 1881.
China had served notice of her inten-
ton to denounce this treaty during 1911,
which she was entitled to do in each
tenth year of the previous continuance.
Immediately following this announce
ment by China Russia discovered that it
had various claims growing out Of al
legged violations of the treaty by the
Chinese.
Claims Trumped UP.
All the circumstances strongly Sug-
gest that these claims were trumped up
by Russia to furnish an excuse for
demonstration in force at this time.
The evidence is that Russia, Japan, and
England are working in the same har-
mony in this matter of the Iii inter-
vention, that they have heretofore dem
onstrated in Manchuria. Naturally,
therefore, the possibility that Russia is
proceeding to pry off another province
from China is regarded with grave con-
cern.
China is on the eve of establishing
constitutional government, which in
evitably means the development Of
national sentiment and public opinion
that has never existed in the empire
before. Occidental powers desiring to
divide China among themselves would
naturally want to do it before the 4OO.-
OGO, 900 Chinese could have become ami
mated by anything like a sentiment of
nationality and realization of their
power to resist encroachment. In short,
if there is going to be a Partition of
China it must come soon. The move
ment in Iii strongly suggests that it
NAV have actually begun.
What is the United States going to do
about it"
Agreement Not Openly Violated.
None of the powers have openly vio-
lated the agreement which John Hay
initiated for the preservation of China.
But from the beginning of railway de-
velopment iE the Empire the powers
have been active to compel China to
develop her railroad systems along
lines satisfactory to the powers in a
diplomatic and military way, rather
than with primary reference to COM
mreciaI requirements.
Soon after Mr.. Taft became President
an arrangement was made for con-
struction of an important railroad with
British, German, and French capital.
The United States was left out, and
when this became known the United
States interveEed, and President Taft
went so far as to send personal tele-
gram to the Chinese Prince Regent,
asking that no such agreement be closed
without permitting American capital to
participate. This move caused distinct