27th July. We learn with great pleasure from the New York Weekly Journal of Commerce of the 20th of June, that the American Asiatic Association, the idea of which was first suggested by the Journal of Commerce, and was energetically taken
ork connected with the trade with the by lending business men in New Far East, was formally constituted on the 19th of Jane. This constitution is the production of a Committee elected some months ago, intended to specially charge itself with the protection of American rights in China. " The first result of the labours of the Committee," the Journal of Commerce says, " was the preparation of a petition, which, bearing the names of some seventy representative firms here and elsewhere, was presented to the Chamber of Commerce Committee on Foreign. Commerce and the Revenue Laws on the 28th of Tanuary last, Favourable action was taken on the petition, and at the regular monthly meeting of the Chamber held on February the 3rd Mr. Gustav H, Schwab, as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws, submitted 2 report and memorial on the subject in ques+ tion, ''he memorial set forth that in view of the changes threatening the future development of the United States trade in China, the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York respectfully and earnestly urge that such proper steps be taken as might commend themselves to the wisdom of the President for the prompt and energetic defence of the existing treaty rights of our citizens in China and for the protection and preservation of their important commercial interests in that empire.
The President, we learn, responded favourably, and the Chambers of Commerce of Philadelphia and San Fran-; cisco were induced to send him) similar memorials. Meanwhile it was determined to transform the Committee into a permanent organisation, the outcome of which was a proposed American China and Japan Association. But the war with Spain} and the success of Admiral Dewey enlarged the Committee's horizon, and it. was finally resolved to take the title: of "The American Asiatic Association." It was to formally constitute this that a meeting was held at 59, Wall St.,' New York on the' 19th of June last. "After some minor changes had been made in the Constitution it was formally adopted, and the ticket submitted the Nominating Committee was. unanimously -elected. -Article. II..of the} Constitution declares the objects and purposes of the Association to be.as} follows and commercial interests of the citizens of the United States, and others associated therewith, in the Empires of China, Japan, and Corea, the Philippine islands, and elsewhere in Asia or Oceania.
"9. To secure the advantages of sustained watchfulness and readiness for action which will accrue from united and permanent organisation in all matters in connection with Asiatic trade or legislation or treaties affecting the same.
"3, To provide for convenient ascertainment and distribution of information affecting the interests of its members, "4. Aad generally to promote a beneficial acquaintance and association of those having interests and pursuits in common concerned with such trade or commerce."
The officers elected were Mr, Everett Frazar, President; Mr. Samuel D. Brewster, Vice-President; Mr. J. R. Patterson, of Fearon, Daniel & Cv. Treasurer; and Mr. J. Ford, Secretary. The Executive Committee includes Messrs. Clarence Cary, 'I', A. Phelan, W. R. Stevens, A. Tilt, Silas D. Webb, and Capt. Zaliuski, Among the members, representatives of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Washington, D. C., Paterson, N.J., South Bethlehem, Pa., and Edge Moor, Del., are most of the prominent firms doing business with the Far East.
All Englishmen in the East will heartily welcome this new sister to the China Association, and hope that it will do as good work in the States as its elder sister has done in England. The New York Journal of Commerce has been insisting that the way of safety fur the United States in China is to join Great Britain and Jupan in adhering to the " open door" policy. In a leading' article in its issue of the 20th of June that paper says Exclusion has already begun in the North; it is certainly the purpose of Russia to monopolise the construction of Manchurian railways and the development of Manchurian mines. There is some apprehension that Germany contemplates a similar monopoly of mining and railway enterprise in Shantung. Germany's views as to general trade are more liberal; but there can hardly be a question that preference will be given, within a period not longer than it took to vary the conditions affecting the former Varkish Black Sea port -of Batoum, to Russian trade in Northern China. What France has done in Madagascar and tongking sufficiently indicates what she would do, if she had the power, in the southern province of China which she regards as naturally within the sphere of her influence.
"Of the total of the foreign trade of China in 1897, amounting to 366 millions of Haikuan taels, all bat 60 millions was done by Great Britain and her colonies. and dependencies, the United States, and Japan. If commerce be accepted as the influence which ought to dominate in the settlement of the future of China, these Powers obviously represent five-sixths of the whole interests involved. On two points, at least, these Powers are in substantial accord; one is, that there should be no further encroachment on the territorial integrity of the Chinese Empire, and the other that no special or exclusive privileges should be recognised in any portion of the eighteen provinces where the sovereignty of the Empire is still nominally unimpaired." Here the new American Association and the China Association can work band in hand to keep their respective Governments up to the mark, As we have said before, the success of Admiral Dewey has made the constitution of this new Association still more desirable than it was before. The resolve of the United States recorded by the Journal of Commerce, to hold the Philippines permanently, means that they also assume to have rights and interests in the vast preserves of the Celestial Empire. "'Phe American people clearly recognise that. their country has taken a place among the great Powers on whom must depend the future of all the Asiatic continent and islands bordering on the Pacific... The new battle-ground of European ambitions is Asia, and as to the future of Eastern Asia at least, the United States cannot afford to be indifferent." They have interests which are.precisely similar to those of Great Britain; the American Asiatic Association has been constituted to protect those interests, and it will doubtless to this end work with and on similar lines to our own China Association, and we wish it every success, 28th July.
We omitted in our leading article yesterday on the American Asiatic Association to mention the conditions of membership. This is by no means confined to American citizens; spplication for membership may be made to any of the officers of the Association, "and any person of full age, who -is or may become interested in the trade now or hereafter to be conducted by the citizens of the United States and others in or with the Empires of China, Tapau, and Corea, or elsewhere in Asin, or Oceania, shall be eligible to membership in "the Association, Corporations and firms are eligible for membership in the same manner as individuals.'
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Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.