South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-02-27
EXPECT AMERICA
TOLEAD OPENING.
OF CHINESE DOOR
New Administration Said to
Favor Active Interest in
Oriental Affairs.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 2s.-Under
Tho Harding administration. repub-
lican leaders with an interest in for
eign affairs will set forth 70 strength
en- Ametica's position in the orient.
This was the !ntimation contained
today in a statement by Sen. Knox,
who endorsed the principles OF a for
eign loan consortium for financing
China 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's statement was considered
significant, following the knowledge
that the Wilson administration. sus-
pending plans for any further ac-
ton, has decided 10 bequeath TO the
new government the handling OF the
Chinese consortium. organized large
ly through the efforts OF Thomas W
Lamont, OF Morgan & Co.
Knox is peculiarly fitted 10 speak
on the probable oriental policy OF
the republicans, for ii was he who
proposed in 1910. while secretary OF
state, that the railroads Of Man
churia be "internationalized." BY
this move Knox hoped TO gain ar
equal place for America in Chinese
affairs and TO check aggression by
other foreign powers. Knox also
was secretary OF state when the
United States Joined the international
group to aid China, only TO with
draw shortly after W. ]. Bryan be-
came head of the state department
Republican leaders declare that
because OF his experience Knox viii
be one OF Harding's chief advisers or
far eastern matters
To Urge U. S. Participation.
IF my opinion Is asked" Knox
said today. IT would strongly urge
Americas active participation in the
loan consortium. Americas pres
ence in the group insures aid t
China without the suggestion Of III
/ terror motives which sometimes have
accompanied the movements OF
foreign powers In Chinese territory
It also means that America will have
/ a voice in matters which affec
! China, her sovereignty and her ter.
ritorial integrity"
1t will be up TO the republican ad
ministration TO develop the censor
| tium 20 the point where actual ad
vances TO China will be forthcoming
Although there are four powers II
the group-the United States. Britain
| France and Japan-America, it Il
understood, will be largely depended
upon 10 carry the loan burden.
! At the close of the Wilson admins
tration. this is the status of the con
sortium:
No Money Loaned Yet.
The four powers have signed
formal agreement providing tina
banking groups of each nation shall
unite IN loans 10 China for the de
velopment Of her public utilities
Any national group not desiring t,
issue bonds I'm it's own market ma.
request the other groups TO includ
its share in their issue, a provision
designed TO enable America to carr.
England and France. II this is neces
sary. japan first blocked the con
sortium scheme. but finally with
drew most OF her reservations.
No money has yet been loaned b
the consortium and none will be,
II stated. until the change in Ameri
can administration.
Knox made t plain today tina
while he supported the loan grou
'in principle" he would not sa
whether he subscribed 10 all tn
terms Of the agreement.