Italy's Minister to the United States laid before this government his country's plans in China the first of last week. The United States replied that this country would maintain an attitude of disinterested neutrality in reference to the Ttalian designs on Sanmén Bay. The effects of this reply are shown by two statements; one from a prominent member of the diplomatic corps at Washington, whose name obviously cannot be given; the other from the Chinese Minister, Wu Ting-fang. Says the diplomat "The answer of the United States to Italy is a remarkably brilliant stroke of diplomacy. The natural inclination of the United States Government would have been to favour the move of Ita'y, for the opening of Sanmén Bay would give another. port to the growing American trade in China, but as this would have excited the animosity of China, your Government decided upon " course of disinterested neutrality.' offence to Chi ud at the same time Italy and the world large take notice that the United Stutes will interpose no obstacle to the acquisition of Sinmén Bay or other Chinese ports.
"Te is most important to all the Powers to know that the United States has no purpose to interfere in behalf of China even to the extent of exerting her moral influence towards continuing China's integrity. For that reason Ilook upon the American answer to Italy as the most in portant development in the Chinese situation that has arisen in recent days and I think it will be so accepted in all the Foreign Offices.
Sx people will not fail to observe this strong evidence of yood will. It is not only another bond between the two countries, but it has a special significance just now. While the other World Powers seem moved by a spirit of rapacity, the United States takes that lofty position of equity, justice, and humanity which has characterised her dealings with other international questions of late, and instead of joining the encroxchments on China, assumes an attitude of strict neutrality."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.