The papers of Friday week published a remarkable and daring
proposal with regard to Manchuria made by Mr. Knox, the American Secretary of State. He has proposed to Great Britain, France, and Germany that they should join the United States for the purpose of "taking the Manchurian railways out of politics." This could be done only by vesting the ownership of the railways in China, and as China could not afford to buy them, the four Powers would provide the money and would supervise their working. Thus the railways would be " neutralised" ; the principle of the "open door" would be preserved; and the railways would be used entirely for commercial purposes instead of largely for political or strategical ends. This singular proposal probably means that America has somehow found herself at a commercial disadvantage in Manchuria, and wishes, with the help of other Powers, to prevent, before it is too late, the stereotyping of the privileged positions held by Russia in the North of Manchuria and by Japan in the South.
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