Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-07

struction of railways in the provinces OF
Human and Hupeh. reserving for their
nationals the privilege of engineering the
construction Of the lines and of furnish
ing the materials required for the work
After negotiations with the governments
and groups concerned an agreement was
reached whereby American, British,
French and German nationals should par
ticipate upon equal terms in this impor-
tant and useful undertaking. Thereupon
the financial groups, supported by their
respective governments, began negotia-
terminated in Joan to China of $40, OOO.-
600, with the privilege of increasing the
amount to $5O,OOOOOO. The cooperative
construction of these trunk lines should
be of immense advantage, materially and
otherwise, to China. and should greatly
facilitate the development of the bounti-
full resources Of the empire. On the other
hand large portion Of these funds is to
be expended for materials. American
products having equal preference with
those of the other three lending nations.
and as the contract provides for branches
and extensions subsequently to be quilt
on the same terms. the opportunities for
American materials will reach consider
able proportions.
knowing the interest of the United
States government in the reform OF the
Chinese currency the Chinese govern
ment in the autumn of 1910. sought the
assistance of the American government
to procure funds with which to accom-
plish that all-important reform. In the
course Of the subsequent negotiations there
was combined with the proposed currency
loan one for certain industrial develop
ments in Manchuria. the two loans ag-
this was originally to be solely an Amer
lean enterprise. the American govern
ment consistently with it's desire to Sc
cure a sympathetic and practical coop
Grafton of the great powers toward main
tanning the principal Of equality of OPP
portunity and the administrative integ-
rity of China, urged the Chinese gov ern-
ment to admit to participation in the cur
rency loan the associates of the Ameri-
can group in the Hukuang loan. While of
immense Importance in itself. the reform
contemplated in making this loan Is but
preliminary to other and more compre-
hensive fiscal reforms which will be or
incalculable benefit to China and foreign
interests alike. since they will strengthen
the Chinese empire and promote the rapid
development of international trade.
Neutral Financial Adviser.
When these negotiations were begun it
was understood that financial adviser
was to be employed by China In connec-
ton with the reform, and in order that
absolute equality in all respects among
the lending nations might be scrupulously
observed, the American government pro-
posed the nomination of a neutral ad-
wiser which was agreed to by China and
the other governments concerned. Sep
TENDER Is. 1911, DR.. Vissering. president
of the Dutch lava Bank and a financier
of wide experience in the orient. was rec
commended to the Chinese government for
the post of monetary adviser.
,l-n sv,,vn ~pkp Mt fho
when the ancient Chinese empire is shak-
en- by civil war incidental to it's awaken
ing to the many influences and activities
of mOdernZatiOn. are the cooperative
policy of good understanding which has
been fostered by the International projects
referred to above and the general SYM
pathy of view among all the powers in
terested in the far east. While safe
guarding the interests of our nationals.
this government is using it's best efforts
in continuance of it's traditional policy of
sympathy and friendship toward the Chi
nese empire and its people. with the con-
fident hope for their economic and ad-
ministrative development. and with the
constant disposition to contribute to their
welfare in all proper ways consistent
with an attitude of strict impartiality as
between contending factions.
. For the first time in the history of the
two countries Chinese cruiser. the
Haichi under the command of Admiral
Ching. recently visited New York, where
the officers and men were given a cordial
welcome.
New japanese Treaty.
The treaty of commerce and naviga-
ton between the United States and
Japan, signed in 1894. would by strict
of it's provisions have
terminated July II, 1912. Japan's gem
eral treaties with the other powers, how
ever, terminated in 1911, and the Jap
anese government expressed an earnest
desire to conduct the negotiations for
new treaty with the United States stimuli
with it's negotiations with the
other powers. There were number of
important questions involved in the
treaty, including the immigration Of la
borers. revision of the customs tariff, and
the right of Americans to hold real es-
tate in Japan. The United States con-
scented to waive all technicalities and to
enter at once upon negotiations for a new
treaty on the understanding that there
should he continuance throughout the
life of the treaty Of the same effective
measures for the restriction Of immigra-
ton of laborers to American territory
which had been in operation with entire
satisfaction to both governments since
1905 The Japanese government ac-
ceptcd this basis of negotiation. and a
new treaty was quickly concluded, re-
sulting in n highly satisfactory settlement
of the other questions referred to.
A satisfactory adjustment has also been
effected of the questions growing out OF
the annexation of Korea by Japan.
The recent visit Of Admiral Count Togo
to the United States as the nations guest
afforded a welcome opportunity to dem
onstrate the friendly feeling go happily
existing between the two countries.
Siam.
There has been change of sovereigns
in Siam and the American minister at
Bangkok was accredited in a special ca
pacity to represent the United States at
EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST.
In Europe and the near east, during
the past twelve-month. ;h,re has been at
times considerable political unrest. The
Moroccan question, which for some
months was the cause of great anxiety,
happily appears to have reached stage
at which it need no longer be regarded
with concern. The Ottoman empire was
occupied for period by strife in Albania
and is now at war with Italy. In Greece
and the Balkan countries the diSquleting
potentialities of this situation have been
more OF less felt Persia has been the
scene of long internal struggle. These
conditions have been the Cause OF un-
thus far without direct political concern
to the United States.
In the war which unhappfly exists be-
tween Italy and Turkey this government
has no direct political interest, and l
took occasion. at the suitable time to is