Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-07
LM[R|Gl insists On
CA|NAS integrity
WASHINGTON ANNOUNCES IN
TENTiok TO ADHERE TO
orEN-DooR POLICY.
EXISTING TREATIES
EXISTING TREATIES
WILL De UPHELD
Secretary Bryan Breaks Long silence
a. 70 Governments Attitude In Pres.
emit Controversy e,twssn Japan and
China-No Rights TO BE Surrendered
{ In Far East-Diplomats Active.

washington, May THE silence
which has been consistently main
tanned by the United States with ref
erence to the Japanese-C Chinese nego-
tiations since they began, nearly four
months ago was broken last night by
the issuance of statement by Secre-
tary Bryan explaining the position Of
the American government.
The statement was prepared earlier
in the day after consultation with
President Wilson. While press re-
ports had told Of Japans decision to
send an ultimatum to China, no Off
cial information had been received to
confirm this tonight.
The American government in it's
pronouncement, In effect reiterated
its adherence Of the open door policy
and the maintenance Of territorial in
tegrity OF China and points out that
there has been mo abatement of its
Interest in the welfare and progress
OF China" The sole interest of the
United States is declared to be that
the negotiations between Japan and
China may be concluded In q manner
satisfactory to both nations and thus
contribute to the peace Of the world.
Ready to Mediate.
The statement was interpreted in
some quarters as meaning that while
no tender OF good offices would be
made by the Washington govern
ment, the services Of the United States
were at the disposal Of both countries
should they desire the assistance Of
any third power to bring about dip
lomatic settlement Of the questions at
issue.
viscount Chinda, the Japanese am
bassador, and Kai Flu Shah, the
Chinese minister, sought separate in
terviews with Mr.. Bryan but declined
to discuss the object Of their visits. It
is believed they were shown copies Of
the statement Of the American posi-
ton, occasioned by the critical situa-
ton that has arisen in the far east.
Text Of Statement.
The text Of the statement follows:
I'm order that there may be no
misunderstanding OF the position Of
the United States in regard to tho
negotiations pending between China
and Japan the following announcement
= made:
AT tho beginning Of the negotiations
tho Japanese government confidential
ly informed this government OF the
matters which were under discussion,
and accompanied the information by
the assurance that Japan had no in
tention Of interfering with either the
political independence or territorial In
tegrity Of China, and that nothing that
she proposed would discriminate
against other powers having treaties
with China, or interfere with the open
door policy to which all the leading
nations are committed.
'This government has not only had
no thought Of surrendering any OF its
treaty rights with China, but 1t has
never been asked by either Japan or
China to make any surrender of these
rights. There Is no abatement of its
interest In the welfare and progress
Of China, and its sole interest in the
present negotiations is that they may
be conducted In manner satisfactory
to both nations, and that the terms of
the agreement will not only contribute
~ the prosperity Of both Of these great
Oriental empires, but maintain that
cordial relationship so essential to
the future of both, and to the peace
Of the world"
No remarks accompanied the state
ment nor was there any further ex-,
PLANTATION Of the purpose Of its is
suance at this time.
To Uphold Trsaties.
It was noted in many quarters,
however, that the American govern
ment. by pointing out that 1t had no
intention of surrendering any Of its
treaty rights with China. might be
endeavoring to dissipate the notion
that has existed in Some parts Of the
far east that the United States would
remain entirely passive with respect
to any treaties between the United
States and China that might be vio-
lated by acceptance Of some Of the
Japanese demands.
Regarding some Of the recent ex-s
change Of notes between Japan and
the American government reports
from Toxic have stated that the lat
ter was in accord with the Japanese
policy, and that China might expect
no moral assistance from this coun-
try. It was intimated in Toxic dis
patches published In Picking and here,
that America was satisfled with the
Japanese explanation ossthe demands.
SJ1klClS1i0 nave UcCIlIIGu u Ecf0dl
what was said in the notes s,nt to
Japan or China, or to comment on
the Japanese reply
It has been understood for some
time, however, that this United States
thought the way would be cleared by
mutual concessions and compromise
to q modification of Japenese de-
mands. 30 that they would not con-
travene tho Root-Takahira agree
ment for the open door in the far east
or the treaties between this country
and China. giving the former equal
commercial treatment With all other
powers. The belief has prevailed that
the negotiations would end satisfac-
torily, and that the talk Of drastic
measures was merely circulated for its
influence on the Chinese p!enipoten-
tiaries. There still was nothing to In
dictate that the United States govern
ment had lost hope Of friendly set
Element.
Chinese President May Appeal.
T It would not be surprising to well
informed persons here. IL President
Yuan shi Kali appeaied TO the powers
before answering the Japanese ultima
tum. It was reported here generally
that Informal consultations already
were In progress between the various
powers parties to tho Hay open do6r1