Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-09-24

4 t"t'u an oui utdty TeldtloHS Will
China. But such would not have been
the legal result. Our three treaties
with China. that of 1874, that of 1858,
and that of 1868, were separate trea-
ties, although successive in their radi-
fication, and the later confrmatory of
those preceding. 1t is a truism in
public law that where two or more
treaties exist between nations the
fabrogation of one does not necessarily
involve that of the other, although it
may be made the pretext of formally
renouncing the other. In the words of
Vattel, "when there exists between
allies two or more treaties different
from and independent of each other,
the violation OF one of those treaties
does not directly discngage the injured
party from the obligation he has con
tracted in the others; for the promises
contained in these do not include these
contained in the violated treaty"
Even from the standpoint Of the Ex-
ecutive, which wholly ignores the fact
that China has abrogated the Bur-
lingame treaty by neglect or refusal to
carry out one of its essential provis-
ions, the formal humiliation of that
treaty would not necessarily work the
forfeiture of the two preceding. To
state the principle more briefly; while
the infraction Of one article of spe.
cific treaty is held under the code of
nations to release the opposite party
from all the provisions of that partic-
ular treaty, the abrogation OF one
treaty does not ronder other distinct
treaties void, but at the most they are
only made voidable.
In view Of the utter fallacy OF the
pro-Chinese advocacy, it may be ask
ed with semblence OF reason, why
has our government touched the sub
ject SO delicately; and why has its
action, when it has been forced to ac-
ton, been so adverse to the rising cry
from the Pacific Coast? The query ad-
mits of a double answer. 1t may be
assumed, without violation of proba-
bilities, that the same agencies which
have so sedulously cultivated de-
ceived and deceptive public opinion in
favor of the Chinese, have worked
with no less effort to secure influence
at the center of legislative and adj
ministrative control.
There is, however, another explain
alton which at first view may seem less
worthy of credence but which shows
strong claims to belief in the relative
attitudes OF the United States and
China, and the official utterances
which, unless they be taken as mean
ingless, cannot be held devoid of tim
Orous expression on the one hand and
sinister intent on the. other The veto
of the Executive, before adverted to,
speaks vaguely of dangers that might
accrue from resembling the treaty.
The American Minister to China, in
writing of the possibility of its repeal
asks "would it not, indeed, imperil all
our relations with the Empire?" Not
all of official reports or international
communications are published in the
Diplomatic Correspondence" or" For
eign Relations" The State Depart
part retains in its secret archives what
ever either far-sighted or time-ser-
wing policy may seem to require; what
actual utterances of the Chinese gov
ernment may have been communicated
to our own, or to what stress they may
have subjected our Foreign policy,
cannot at this time be fully learned.
But even with that which is open to
public, the strong, clear postulates and
decisive demands of the Chinese Cen
trail Authority are manifest. Said
Feng, Taoti, four years and half ago,
to Bradford, American Consul General
at Shanghai: Steamers, guns and
small-arms, the products of the west,
the Chinese can make for themselves"
Two months later Prince Kung, Min
lister of Foreign Affairs, hardly veiled
a threat under the forms OF diplomatic
courtesy in addressing the American
Envoy concerning an alleged assault
upon some Chinese coolies landing at
San Francisco. He charterized in in
vidious terms a portion of the popula-
ton of California and their purpose
OF interfering with Chinese immigra-
tiOn," and requested " the suppression
OF such acts, in order to the mainten-
ance of friendship between the two
nations" The full meaning of these
words is only apparant when We re-
tiect upon the studied avoidance of ex-
aggerated language which forms the
first lesson in the training of the dip
lomat, and in which the Chinese are
no less adept than are the ENJOYS Of
other nations. Nor can we find the
menace without meaning when We re-
call again that China is stronger on
the Pacific Coast in men capable of
bearing arms than ourselves, and that
she can transport ten warriors from
the middle Of the kingdom to San
Francisco at less expense than the
United States can convey a single
soldier and his knapsack from Chicago
to the Coast; that she could send veg
sells with stronger armor and heavier
guns to breach the walls Of Alcatraz