Presidential addresses and state papers, Volume 2 (of 7)Roosevelt, Theodore
History
Presidential addresses and state papers, Volume 2 (of 7)
Roosevelt, Theodore
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919; United States -- Politics and government -- 1901-1909
The Chinese Government has agreed to participate financially in the
work of bettering the water approaches to Shanghai and to Tien-tsin,
the centres of foreign trade in central and northern China, and an
international conservancy board, in which the Chinese Government is
largely represented, has been provided for the improvement of the
Shanghai River and the control of its navigation. In the same line
of commercial advantages a revision of the present tariff on imports
has been assented to for the purpose of substituting specific for _ad
valorem_ duties, and an expert has been sent abroad on the part of the
United States to assist in this work. A list of articles to remain
free of duty, including flour, cereals, and rice, gold and silver coin
and bullion, has also been agreed upon in the settlement.
During these troubles our Government has unswervingly advocated
moderation, and has materially aided in bringing about an adjustment
which tends to enhance the welfare of China and to lead to a more
beneficial intercourse between the Empire and the modern world; while
in the critical period of revolt and massacre we did our full share
in safeguarding life and property, restoring order, and vindicating
the national interest and honor. It behooves us to continue in these
paths, doing what lies in our power to foster feelings of good will,
and leaving no effort untried to work out the great policy of full
and fair intercourse between China and the nations, on a footing
of equal rights and advantages to all. We advocate the “open door”
with all that it implies; not merely the procurement of enlarged
commercial opportunities on the coasts, but access to the interior by
the waterways with which China has been so extraordinarily favored.
Only by bringing the people of China into peaceful and friendly
community of trade with all the peoples of the earth can the work
now auspiciously begun be carried to fruition. In the attainment of
this purpose we necessarily claim parity of treatment, under the
conventions, throughout the Empire for our trade and our citizens with
those of all other powers.
* * * * *
We view with lively interest and keen hopes of beneficial results the
proceedings of the Pan-American Congress, convoked at the invitation
of Mexico, and now sitting at the Mexican capital. The delegates
of the United States are under the most liberal instructions to
co-operate with their colleagues in all matters promising advantage
to the great family of American commonwealths, as well in their
relations among themselves as in their domestic advancement and in
their intercourse with the world at large.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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