Evening star., 1915-03-14
CHINA HOLDS j. S.
HER BEST FRIEND
In Present Crisis Recalls Sue
cess of Secretary Hays
''Open-Door" Policy.
ROCKHILL is QUOTED
ON PURPOSES OF JAPAN
Press Of Far Eastern Republic Pay
High Tribute to Qualities OF
Dead American Diplomat.

Washington students of Chinese ana
Japanese affairs are drawing attention
TO Chinese reviews and other maya
..,nes which have reached the 1hiteo
states in late mails in connection with
Yesterdays cable dispatches ahnouhc-
,r.. that Japan las moved troops into
china 10 support the enforcement OIL
,h., Iapanese demands upon China.
These Chinese publications devote con-
siderable space to the death at Hon
oIuIu some time ago of Nlfllam W.
1,ockhill. one of them quoting the dead
,iinlon,at as having recently declared
that Japan has taken the place OF the
United States as guardian of the open
door policy in China aud become Its
chief exponent.
The Far Eastern Review Of Shanghai i
asserts that at the time of his death
Mr. Rockhill was returning from tue
United States from a continental mis-
sonal adviser TO President Yuan Shl
kai since the formation of the Chinese
republic What this mission was VIII
probably never be known by the gen
eral public. especially as Mr.. Rockhill.
when he was in Washington last fall,
used with interviewers the diplomatic
figure of speech that he was in this
country merely on a holiday
Print Speech in Full.
The Chinese papers print in full the
last speech of Mr.. Rockhill, which was
delivered before the members of the
Asiatic Institute at d dinner in his
honor held at the Century Club in New
York November IL. American news
papers at that period did not go SO
fully into the speech. Mr.. Rockhill
went thoroughly into the subject of
the open door policy in China in that
speech, bringing out many points
deemed interesting by students of Chi
affairs especially at this time,
while the demands of Japan on China
were under daily discussion at
Toxic The comment of these papers
hill and his discussion of Chinese af
fairs is that Mr.. RockhilIs loss will
be keeuly felt by China. whose cause
found in him true and sympathetic
friend and advocate.
americans" the Far Eastern Re
view says. will have special reason
TO regret the loss of his influence in
far eastern affairs, especially as con-
Germs China.
lfr. Rockhill was we'll known in
Washington. He conducted two sci
entific missions to China and Tibet
under the auspices of the Smithsonian n
Institution from 1883 to 1892. He served
as chief clerk of the Department of
state in 1898. as third assistant sec
retary of state in 1894, and as assist
ant secretary of state in 1896 He
served director of the international
bureau of American republics. now the
Pan-American Union. in 1899, and
again in 1901. and in years between
these dates and after served as sec
retary, charge. minister and anbassa-
dor of the United States at various far
EASTERN posts.
Chinese Press Tribute.
The Chinese newspapers say of him.
1t was chiefly through his efforts
that the United States government re-
leased the huge portion of the Boxer
indemnity legally due to her, whereby
the Chinese government was able to
establish the Tsinghua College, which
is now sending SO many Chinese stu
dents to be educated in America. The
good influence that these students are
welding and will continue to WELD in
the shaping of the country's future is
immense, and for this and other rea-
sons Mr.. Rockhtll will be gratefully
remembered by the thinking men of
China"
Mr.. Rockhilrs views on the subject
of the open door" in China and
american responsibility in that coun-
try are quoted in the Far Eastern Re
view as follows:
In 1893 the administration at Wash
Ington put into practical shape the
suggestion then being made by vari-
Gus British writer's and statesmen in
favor Of securing to the commerce and
navigation OF all nations in China
equality of treatment within the So
called spheres Of influence; in other
words. the maintenance of what is
called the open door policy.
Accepted U. S. Proposals.
You recall the result of the nego-
our government and the various treaty
powers directly interested in the ques-
ton. They all accepted the proposals
made by the United States, some in 4
whole-souled way, others with reluc-
tdnce. others, again. with mental o,
even verbal reservations; but notwith-
standing this. the opeu-door policy be-
came an acknowledged part of the gen.
eral policy of the treaty powers ir
China with the United States as its
guardian. This was the first, and il
has turned out to be the only success
ful attempt which has SO far been made
TO initiate general understanding, q
common action of all the great powers
having interests in the far east; af-
fording means Of settlement of pend
ing questions. while recognizing all ie-
s'timate interests and rights.
The value OF the open-door policy
was not solely in the protection that 1,
afforded trade and navigation. 1t haG
an important political side. II was Z
powerful weapon for protecting China:
integrity. for preserving her indepen.
dence. This side is shown by our .tc.
tion during and after the Boxer trou.
bles in 1900. In the words Of Mr. Hay
our then Secretary of State;
Permanent Peace Sought.
" The policy Of the United States i!
TO seek solution which may brint