The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-05-12
AFFIRNS open DOOR
BRYAN ISSUES STATEMENT ON
JAP=CRINK CRISIS
Still FOPES FOR PEACE

- aAH AAOG AU 4 WN Af4OA
Secretary Of State Breaks Silence and
Makes Known Official Position of
This Government Sole In
terest is That Negotiations May be
Concluded Satisfactory to ALI.
The silence constantly maintained
by the United States with reference to
the Chinese-Japanese negotiations
since they begun, nearly six months
ago, was broken Thursday night by
the issuance Of a statement by Secre-
tary Bryan explaining the American
governments position.
The statement was prepared earlier
in the day after consultation with
President Wilson. While press re-
ports had told Of Japan's decision to
send an aultimatum to China, no Off
cial information had been received to
confirm this.
The American government in its
pronouncement, in effect, reiterates
its adherence to the open door policy
and the maintenance Of the territorial
Integrity Of China, and points out
that there has been mo abatement
Of its interest in the welfare and pro-
gress Of China"
The sole interest of the United
States is declared to be that the nego-
tiations between Japan and China
may be concluded in q manner sat
isfactory to both nations and thus
contribute to the peace Of the
world"
The statement was interpreted In
some quarters as meaning that while
no tender Of good Offices would be
made by the Washington government,
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 a
diplomatic settlement of the questions
at issue.
Viscount Chinda, the Japanese am
bassador, and Kai Flu Shah, the Chi
nese minister, sought separate inter
views with Mr.. Bryan, but decline
to discuss the object Of their visits.
1t Is believed they were shown copies
Of the statement Of the American
position.
The text of the statement follows:
I'm order that there may be no mis-
understanding Of the position Of the
United States in reference to the me-
gotiations pending between the Unit
ed States, japan and China, the fol-
lowing announcement is made:
AT the beginning Of negotiations
the Japanese government confiderti-
ally Informed this government Of the
matters which were under discussion
AID accompanied the information by
.he assurance that Japan had no in
/ tention Of interfering with either the
political independence or territorial
integrity 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 not only has no
thought Of surrendering any Of it's
treaty rights with China, but it has
never been asked by either Japan or
China to make any surrender Of these
rights. There is no abatement Of it's
interest in the welfare and progress
Of China and its sole interest in the
present negotiations is that they may
be concluded in manner satisfactory
to both nations, and that the terms Of
the agreement will not only contri-
butte to 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-
planation OF the purpose of it's is
suance at this time. 1t was noted in
many quarters, however, that the
United States by pointing out that it
had no intention Of surrendering
treaty rights with China might be en-
| deayoring to dissipate the notion that
has existed in some parts of the .ar
East that the United States would re-
main entirely passive with respect to
any treaties between the United
States and China which might be vio-
lated by acceptance Of some Of the
japanese demands.
Officials have declined to reveal
what was said in recent notes sent to
japan or China by the United States.
1t has been understood for some time,
however, that the United States
thought the way would oe cleared by
mutual concessions and compromises
to modification Of the Japanese de-
mands so that they should not contra
yene the Root-Takahira demands so
that they would not violate the agree
ment for the open door in the far
East or treaties between the United
States and China.
The belief has prevailed that the
and that the talk Of drastic measures
merely was circulated for its in
fluence on the Chinese plenipoten-
tiaries. There still was nothing to in
dicate that the United States govern
ment had lost hope Of a friendly set
tlement.
The Japanese ambassador, as he
was leaving the department, referred
to "eXaggerate reports" From this
and, other information available in
Japanese quarters the impression was
gained that so far as the Japanese
embassy was concerned it did not
anticipate any armed clash in the far
East.
There was wide speculation AS to
the conference between Secretary
Bryan and the diplomatic representa-
tives Of the two nations at odds. Both
the Japanese ambassador and Chi
nese' minister were understood to
have cabled their governments after
talking with Secretary Bryan.