Show AMERICA HAS AIDED ENGLAND FORCED THE OPEN doall IN CHINA FOR BRITISH COMMERCE new york jan 4 A dispatch to the new york tribune from london says the position at Co lesberg is by no means clear but it is apparent that without reinforcements gen french is finding considerable difficulty in driving the boers from the hills surrounding the town from ladysmith Lady smith it is reported that all is well although this statement must not be taken in connection with tho news that sickness Is increasing while the times correspondent mentions that medical appliances are not too abundant indications that gen buller may take the offensive before many days elapse are not wanting but more than one hard fought action will probably bo necessary before the relief of lady is the open door principle was tho foundation of british policy in china during the protracted negotiations which followed german awl russian acquisition of harbors and territories on the chinese coast nothing came of it and the british government ended by taking possession of a harbor opposite port arthur when the spanish war came on england was acx boits to havo the americans retain the philippine islands and operate cooperate co with her in the maintenance of the open door principle in the tar east the first object was secured when the treaty of peace was negotiated in paris and tho second has been accomplished by the diplomacy of the cabinet at washington the vigilant washington correspondents of the dally chronicle and the manchester guardian have announced tha success of the mckenley government in securing pledges from great britain germany france japan and russia to a guarantee that america shall have equality of treatment in all portions of china under foreign influence with the exception of purely naval stations the assent of italy alone Is lacking to render this collective guarantee of the open door principle operative what england was unable to bring about the united states government has virtually done and the british press Is slowly awakening to a sense of En glanda obligations to america certainly it the americans were tinder obligation to england for friendly services during the war with spain the avor has been fully returned and in a characteristic american way while the slate department has been working out the solution of the open door lom in the tar british cruisers have been attempting to close a neutral port in south africa against american breadstuffs bread stuffs and establish a fatal precedent against england in the event of war with any great european power the contrast between these two policies requires no comment the london press today is filled with contradictory dispatches from new york and berlin respecting the disposition to be made 0 question but it is confidently fi assumed in diplomatic circles hero ithac compensation will be made lor the seizures and that foodstuffs wilt not be classed as contraband of war |