The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-02-26
New Administration Is Said to
Favor Active Interest in
Oriental Affairs
SENATOR KNOX GIVES
INTIMATION in SPEECH
Republicans Declare Knox Will
Be Harding's Adviser on
Near East Affairs
Bv Ralph Turner,

Omitted Press Stan COrrespOnQent)
Washington, Feb. 26.-Under the
Harding administration, Republican
leaders with an iJIerest in foreign al
fairs will set forth to strengthen
Americas position in the Orient.
This was the intimation contained
today in a statement by Senator
Knox, who indorsed the principles OF
a foreign loan consortium for financ-
ineChina and expressed the hope that
America, after March 4, will take the
lead in making the "open door, IN
China "a reality and not merely a
phrase" -. -,
Knox statement was considered
significant, following the knowledge
that the Wilson administration, sus-
pending plans for any further action,
has decided to bequeath to the new
government the handling of the
Chinese consortium, organized largely
through the effortsof Thomas W. La
mont, of Morgan & Company.
Knox is peculiarly fitted to speak
on the probable Oriental policy Of the
Republicans, for 1T was he who pro-
posed in 1910, while secretary of
State; that the railroads of Manchu-:
ria be "internationalized." BY this
move Knox hoped to gain an equal
place for America in Chinese affairs
and to check aggression by other for
eign powers. Knox also was secre-
tary of state when the United States
Joined the international group to aid
China, only to withdraw shortly after
w. J. Bryan became head OF the state
department.
Republican leaders deciare~that be-
cause of his experience, Knox will be
one ,of Harding's chief advisers on
Far Eastern matters. -
1'If my opinion is asked," Knox
said today, II would strongly urge
Americas active participation in the
loan consortium. Americas presence
in the group irisures aid to China
without: the suggestion of Interior mo-
tives which sometimes have accom-
panied the movements of foreign pow
ers in Chinese territory. 1t also
means that America will have voice
in matters which affect China, her
sovereignty and her territorial in
tegrity."
It will be up to the Republican adj
ministration to develop the consor-
tium to the point where actual -ad-
vances to China will be forthcoming.
Although there are four'powers in the
group-the United States, Britain,
France and Japan-America, it is un-
derstood, will be largely depended up
on to carry the loan burden.
At the close of the Wilson admini-
stration, this is the status of the con-
sortium:
The four powers have signed for
NAL agreement providing that bank
ing groups of each nation shall unite
in loans to China for the development
of her public utilities. Any national
group not desiring to issue bonds in
it's own market may request the other
groups to include its share in their
issue, provision designed to enable
America to carry England and
France, if this is necessary. Japan
first blocked the consortium> scheme,
but finally withdrew most of her res
ervations.
No money has yet been loaned by
the consortium -aRd none will be, it
is stated, until the change in Ameri-
can administration.
Knox made it plain today that while
he supported the loan group Sin prin-
ciple" he would not say whether he
subscribed to all the terms of the
apreenent