Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 56, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1899 — BERESFORD FOR "OPEN DOOR." [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BERESFORD FOR "OPEN DOOR."

English Lord Declares This Policy 4 Should Be Maintained. Lord Charles Beresford landed at Southampton from the American liner St. Louis, after six months’ hard work as the British Empire’s commercial traveler in China and the United States. When asked to give his opinion of the future of the Chinese trade, the feeling in the United States on the matter and the future relations of Great Britain and the United States, Lord Charles said: “There is only one thing to do, and that is to maintain the;policy of the open door. If we don’t have that policy, if we go in for spheres of influence, we shall drift into war. Spheres of influence mean every country grabbing something, and if

all the powers begin grabbing land in China they are bound to quarrel, and war will be the result. I am convinced that we can keep China on her feet, if we do not go in for a policy of every nation grasping territory. The thing for Japan, Germany and the United States and Great Britain to do is to agree in maintaining the open door policy, insisting that no ports shall be closed against their ships of trade. While in America I endeavored to show that with her growing trade she is as much interested as England, Germany and Japan in securing unrestricted trade with China. Of course, I do not suggest a cut-and-dried alliance between these powers, or between us and America. I don't think it necessary and I don’t suggest for a moment that America should join an alliance of that kind, but I think we might agree, working together, to maintain the open door.” Lord Charles Beresford expressed his approbation of the kind treatment which he had received in America and paid a glowing tribute to the business activity and industry of the country. He stated positively that his mission was purely commercial, not political.

LORD CHARLES BERESFORD.