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First
Open Door Note
1899
At
the time when the Government of the United States was
informed by that of Germany that it had leased from His
Majesty the Emperor of China the port of Kiao-chao and the
adjacent territory in the province of Shantung, assurances
were given to the ambassador of the United States at Berlin
by the Imperial German minister for foreign affairs that the
rights and privileges insured by treaties with China to
citizens of the United States would not thereby suffer or be
in anywise impaired within the area over which Germany had
thus obtained control.
More
recently, however, the British Government recognized by a
formal agreement with Germany the exclusive right of the
latter country to enjoy in said leased area and the
contiguous "sphere of influence or interest"
certain privileges, more especially those relating to
railroads and mining enterprises; but as the exact nature
and extent of the rights thus recognized have not been
clearly defined, it is possible that serious conflicts of
interest may at any time arise not only between British and
German subjects within said area, but that the interests of
our citizens may also be jeopardized thereby.
Earnestly
desirous to remove any cause of irritation and to insure at
the same time to the commerce of all nations in China the
undoubted benefits which should accrue from a formal
recognition by the various powers claiming "spheres of
interest" that they shall enjoy perfect equality of
treatment for their commerce and navigation within such
"spheres," the Government of the United States
would be pleased to see His German Majesty's Government give
formal assurances, and lend its cooperation in securing like
assurances from the other interested powers, that each,
within its respective sphere of whatever influence--
First.
Will in no way interfere with any treaty port or any vested
interest within any so-called "sphere of interest"
or leased territory it may have in China.
Second.
That the Chinese treaty tariff of the time being shall apply
to all merchandise landed or shipped to all such ports as
are within said "sphere of interest" (unless they
be "free ports"), no matter to what nationality it
may belong, and that duties so leviable shall be collected
by the Chinese Government.
Third.
That it will levy no higher harbor dues on vessels of
another nationality frequenting any port in such
"sphere" than shall be levied on vessels of its
own nationality, and no higher railroad charges over lines
built, controlled, or operated within its "sphere"
on merchandise belonging to citizens or subjects of other
nationalities transported through such "sphere"
than shall be levied on similar merchandise belonging to its
own nationals transported over equal distances.
The
liberal policy pursued by His Imperial German Majesty in
declaring Kiao-chao a free port and in aiding the Chinese
Government in the establishment there of a customhouse are
so clearly in line with the proposition which this
Government is anxious to see recognized that it entertains
the strongest hope that Germany will give its acceptance and
hearty support. The recent ukase of His Majesty the Emperor
of Russia declaring the port of Ta-lien-wan open during the
whole of the lease under which it is held from China to the
merchant ships of all nations, coupled with the categorical
assurances made to this Government by His Imperial Majesty's
representative at this capital at the time and since
repeated to me by the present Russian ambassador, seem to
insure the support of the Emperor to the proposed measure.
Our ambassador at the Court of St. Petersburg has in
consequence, been instructed to submit it to the Russian
Government and to request their early consideration of it. A
copy of my instruction on the subject to Mr. Tower is
herewith enclosed for your confidential information.
The
commercial interests of Great Britain and Japan will be so
clearly observed by the desired declaration of intentions,
and the views of the Governments of these countries as to
the desirability of the adoption of measures insuring the
benefits of equality of treatment of all foreign trade
throughout China are so similar to those entertained by the
United States, that their acceptance of the propositions
herein outlined and their cooperation in advocating their
adoption by the other powers can be confidently expected. I
enclose herewith copy of the instruction which I have sent
to Mr. Choate on the subject.
In
view of the present favorable conditions, you are instructed
to submit the above considerations to His Imperial German
Majesty's Minister for Foreign Affairs, and to request his
early consideration of the subject.
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