Evening star., 1922-01-19

De permitted TO make Jew remaIhs
in regard to section ~. One point
delegation. but he Gid not know
what plans of revision the French
delegation had in mind. He was glad
to say, as the chairman had very
properly remarked the previous day
that the principle of 1.-The open door
adopted and confirmed in various
treaties and arrangements: but 1t
must be noted that the principle had
undergone considerable changes. In
its application, since 1t had originally
been Initiated by Secretary Hay In
1898.
1t was then limited in its scope, both
as concerned its subject matter and the
area of Chinese territory to which it
applied; 1t simply provided, in sub
stance. that none of the powers having
spheres of influence or leased territories
in China should interfere with treaty
ports or with vested rights or exercise
any discrimination in the collection of
customs duties or railroad or harbor
charges. The principle formulated in
the draft resolution was of an entirely
different scope from the policy of "the
open door" as conceived in l89S-99; the
draft resolution gave, in a certain
sense, new definition to that policy.
Change Suggested.
1t seemed natural, therefore, that
this new definition should not have any
retroactive force. According to Sec
ton Nv, 1t appeared as If the conces-
sions already granted by China would
be subject to examination in the light
OF o. this new agreement. If that were
the case. 1t seemed probable that this
agreement would Affect private parties
unfairly and Baron Shidehara would,
therefore, like to suggest that the
wording of section ~ be changed
somewhat in order to meet this situa-
tion. His suggestion would take the
form that section w be changed to
read as follows:
Nv. The powers. including China,
represented at this conference. agree
that If any provisions of q concession
which may hereafter be granted by
China appear inconsistent with those
or another concession or with the prin-
clpies OF the above agreement or decla-
ration they may be submitted by the
parties concerned to the board of refer
ence when established for the purpose
of endeavoring to arrive at a satisfac-
tory adjustment on equitable terms"
The chairman said that he was graft
fed at what he understood to be the
appreciation by Baron Shidehara of
the purpose and scope of the open
door policy, certainly as at present un-
derstood. In view of what Baron
Shidehara had said with regard to the
original scope of that policy. the chair
man hoped the delegates would permit
him to refer to some of the interna-
tlonal documents bearing upon that
subject.
1t was quite true that in the
original statement OF the policy by
Secretary Hay there were specific
points mentioned. 1t was also true
that the bearing Of those points and
the intent of the policy were very
clearly presented. The general pur-
pose in view and the real meaning
OF the open door policy were indicated
In the communications addressed to
the several governments under in
structions from Secretary Hay.
Choate Communication Read.
The chairman then read the COM
munication of Mr.. Choate. ambas-
sador to the Court Of st. James to
Lord Salisbury at London, September
22. 1899. upon this point, as follows:
He (the President) understands 1t
to be the settled policy and purpose
OF Great Britain not to use any
which may be granted to
it in China as a means of excluding
any commercial rivals, and that
empire means freedom of trade for
all the world alike. Her majesty's
government while conceding by
formal agreements with Germany
and Russia the possession of
spheres OF influence or interest In
China, in which they are to enjoy
special rights and privileges, partic-
mining enterprises, has at the same
time sought to maintain what is
commonly called the 'open-door'
policy, to secure to the commerce and
navigation of all nations equality of
treatment within such spheres The
of this policy is alike
urgently demanded by the CONNER
as it is justly held by them to be
the only one which will improve
existing conditions enable them to
maintain their positions in the
markets of China, and extend their
future operations.
While the government of the
United States will in no way commit
elusive rights of any power within
or control over any portion of the
Chinese empire, under such agree
ments as have been recently made,
it cannot conceal its apprehension.
that there is danger OF complications
arising between the treaty powers
which may imperil the rights insured
with China.
1T is the sincere desire of my gov
ernment that the interests OF It's cltl-
zens may not be prejudiced through
exclusive streatment by any of the
powers within their re-
spective spheres of interests in
China, and it hopes to retain there an
merce. remove dangerous sources of
irritation, and thereby
hasten united action of the powers at
Peking to promote administrative re-
forms so greatly needed for strengthen
ing the imperial governmnt and main
the integrity of China in which
it believes the whole western world
is alike concerned"
Aim to Protect Trade.
The chairman. continuing, said that
it was for that purpose that Secre-
tary Hay instructed the ambassadors
and ministers of the United States to
obtain. II agreeable to other powers,
declarations with respect to the treat
ment of foreign trade and commerce,
especially from those powers claim
ing spheres of interest in China.
Lord Salisbury replied to Mr.. Choate
to the effect that he would consult
with his colleagues, and added, in his
of September 20, 1889:
"In the meantime, may. assure
your excellency that the policy con-
sistently advocated by this country
Is one Of securing equal opportunity
for the subjects and citizens Of all
nations in regard to commercial en-
terprise in China, and from this pol
Icy her majesty's government have no
intention or desire to depart"
Later, Lord Salisbury wrote:
Il have much pleasure in informing
your excellency that ner majesty's gov
ernment will be prepared to make a
declaration In the sense desired by your
in regard to the leased ter
ritory Of Wei-hei-Wei and all territory
in China which may hereafter be ac-
quired by Great Britain by lease or
otherwise. and all spheres Of interest
now held or that may hereafter be held
by her in China, provided that similar
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