2
restriction of production, which would only mean industrial stagnation and retro- gression. A foreign market must be frequent for American goods.
"There is no doubt that China is just the market required. The American Government, at least, has spared no diplomatic effort to secure the establishment of the open door' policy in China. The recognition of this policy by all nations concerned is a triumph of American diplomacy. It may not be regarded as an established principle of international law applicable to Far Eastern questions as the Monroe Doctrine is to purely American questions. But it must be remembered that the open door' means open competition, and leaves the law of the survival of the fittest in full operation.
4
"There are active competitors already in the field, and Americans have to take their chances with the rest. In this competition the people of Europe have resorted to all available methods to advance their interest. They receive all Chinese students who come to enter their schools and universities; they encourage Chinese merchants who come to visit their countries; they treat Chinese travellers with friendly consideration. But it has seemed good to the United States to adopt a different policy, with the result that all Chinese of the desirable class have for years past endeavoured to avoid the American shores as much as possible.
"The consequence is that every Chinese who has been to Europe becomes on his return to China an ardent admirer of European methods and European institutions, while every Chinese who has been to the United States has only a sorrowful tale to tell on his return of Americau inhospitality. I mention this merely as a matter of fact, not in criticism of the Governmental policy of the United States, but just to show how Europe wins an advance agent, where America turns away a possible customer.
"I am pleased to note the announcement by President Roosevelt of a change of policy in this regard with the view of giving the Chinese what he so expressively calls a square deal.' You may be assured that China is ready to meet any friendly advance on the part of the United States more than half-way, and I hope that the only cause of difference which has so long disturbed the good understanding between the two countries will soon be amicably adjusted. But of far greater interest to Americans is the great undertaking which the Chinese Government bas only fairly begun of gridironing the Empire with railroads.
"China proper, together with Corea, is about the size of the United States. You have about 250,000 miles of railroad in the country, and are constantly adding to this immense mileage.
"With five times the population of the United States, and about the same extent of territory, the eighteen provinces of China and the three provinces of Manchuria have only 1,500 miles of railroads. Railroad building has a great future in China."
In conclusion, Sir Liang Cheng said :--
"The national control of railroads is a problem which the Government of China, as well as that of the United States, has to solve. Perhaps some of us here will live to see a great many Pittsburgs rise from the banks of those streams whose waters swell the flood of the majestic Yang-tsze or the destructive Hoangho.”
his Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
INA TRADE.
NFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir M. Durand,
593 [November 15.]
SECTION 1.
273.)
Foreign Office, November 15, 1905. THE American Ambassador informed me to-day that the State Department had med, from the American Consul-General at Singapore, that the boycott against ferican interests there by the Chinese had taken a decidedly serious turn. It was ed that anonymous letters are in circulation, and that trade in general is at a stand- 1 Circulars are posted on all Chinese shops, and it is feared that the trouble has
begun.
The United States' Government had instructed the Consul-General to notify the authorities at Singapore of these anonymous threats and unlawful combinations, Mr. Whitelaw Reid was instructed to invite Flis Majesty's Government to consider gravity of this unfriendly action by aliens in a friendly port, with a view to the option of whatever protective and repressive measures might be practicable.
I told his Excellency that I would at once report his observations to the Colonial ice, who would, I was sure, be glad to do whatever might be in their to relieve
power situation which had unfortunately arisen in the Straits Settlements.
I am, &c. (Signed)
[2247 p-1]
LANSDOWNE.
Page 600Page 601
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.