Evening star., 1935-01-06
1885 HOLDS BIG PUZZLE
FOR i. S. IN FAR EAST
America May Be Forced to Abandon
Brotherly Role Toward China
and Scrap 'Open Door,"

the empire scheme might greatly re-
duce Americas export trade by nom
recognition by Japan of the principle
Of the open door. On the other hand,
If we are sufficiently antiwar-minded
to refrain from interference with ia
pans ambition, there is still the
chance to seek trade facilities from
the empire itself.
Britain Obtained Contract.
The fact that Great Britain was
foremost in agreeing to the Stimson
policy of non-recognition Of Man
choukuo did not deter her from send
ing a Federated British Industries
Commission to Manchoukuo, where it
according to British reports,
a 100000 contract for railway
equipment, steel and other supplies.
Questioned in Parliament, Sir John
Simon said the mission was not po-
litical.
rs it not a fact that the work Of
the industrial mission has been of
distinct advantage to British trade?"
a member inquired.
Yes. But it is just as we'll to keep
commerce and policy apart" replied
Sir John.
That Great Britain did not keep
commerce and policy apart is shown
in the development of the so-called
American open-door policy" which
was born in London, shipped to the
United States. twice deported as an
undesirable alien by President Nc,
Kinley and finally brought in by John
Hay, who as Secretary of State intro
duced it to the world as 100 per cent
American.
1t was early in 1898 that Lord
Pauncefote called in person upon
President Mckinley and suggested
American Intervention in China. The
suggestion was promptly rejected by
President Mckinley through Secre-
tary Of State Day.
Hays Stand Recalled.
In June, 1898, John Hay, then am
bassador to the Court of St. James.
wrote directly to President Mckinley
urging the United States to Join Great
Britain in intervention in China. The
letter was referred by President Nc
kinley to Secretary Day, who again
repulsed the proposal.
At that time w. w. Rockhill. an
able authority on Far East matters.
was attached to the Department of
State. He had friend in London, Al
fred E. Hippisley, a British subject,
who had served in the foreign inspec-
torate of China's maritime customs.
under Sir Robert Hart.
"Hippisley after a conference with
Ambassador Hay, wrote to Rockhill in
Washington" reveals DR.. Tyler Dem
nett, who was with the State Depart
ment from 1924 to 1881, in a paper
read before the American Academy of
Political and Social Science, and pub
IShed In that societyS annals.
I venture to suggest" wrote Hip
plsley. that the United States lose
no time in calling the attention of
all the powers to the changes now
taxing place in China. and while dis
claiming any desire on her part to
annex territory express her determine
ton not to sacrifice her annually in
creaStng trade nor any of the rights
and privileges she has secured by
treaty with China, and to secure this
END, that she obtain an understand
ing from each European power that
all the Chinese treaty tariffs shall
without discrimination apply to all
merchandise entering its spheres OF
mfiuence and that by treaty, ports in
them shall not be interfered with"
Adee Detected Trap.
The meat in the coconut is the ex-
preston spheres of influence" which
constructively applied might include
Manchuria, all of Mongolia, Jehol.
Tibet. the Urals and Turkestan.
Rockhil laid Hippisley's letter be-
fore Assistant Secretary Alvey Adee.
a canny Scotsman, who detected a
Rastus in the woodpile, and, accord
Ing to DR.. bennett. objected that
such course would expose the ad-
to the charge that it was
pulling British chestnuts out of the
flre." Again President Mckinley and
Secretary Day rejected the PROPOSE
ton.
HippiSley, undaunted, again wrote
Rockhill, August 16, 1898, threatening
pressure upon the administration, say
ing:
1T would be better for the American
Government to lead than follow Eng
land. I don't for a moment believe
that the American manufacturers will
sit by with folded hands and see these
districts closed without making an ef-
fort to retain them. Pressure will.
therefore, be brought to bear upon the
administration. and it may have no
option but to take some action I have
Pressure Apparently Came.
Apparently Hippisleys forecasted
pressure was applied, for Ambassador
Hay was made Secretary of State and
within q month Americas notes ia
thering the open door were on their
way to the powers. Yet only short
time was to elapse when the open
door had to be bolstered with the doc
trine Of Intervention to protect the
of China and toward the
SAOoC VI LilC oOAeT outbreak, Wnen
President Mckinley urged the with
travail Of American troops, Secretary
Hay was impelled to write a mem
orandum to Adee. expressing in tones
If disgust:
THE inherent weakness Of our po-
'ition IS this. We do not want to rob
China ourselves, and our public opin-
on will not permit us to interfere
with an army to prevent others from
'obbing her. Besides, we have no
army. The talk of the papers about
,ur pre-eminent naval position giving
authority to dictate to the world is
mere flapdoodle
Americas position today Is the same.
Without desire to rob any other coun-
ry and with public opinion against
lrmed Intervention, there can be lit
lie chance Of war spirit developing.