Washington, Jan. 2.—The session of the cabinet today was brief, but it was the occasion of an important announcement by Secretary of State Hay that negotiations with the great powers of Europe and Japan to secure a common understanding for a continued "open door" policy throughout China had been eminently successful, and that favorable responses had been received from Great Britain, Germany, France, Russia, and Japan. The only country addressed which has not yet responded is Italy. The success of the negotiations was extremely gratifying to the president and cabinet, as it ensures to America her full share in the development of commerce with the great empire of China. Secretary Root was not at the cabinet meeting today, and therefore none of the matters which usually occupy such a large share of the cabinet's attention were considered.