Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-03-27

indemnity question; that Germany affects
great friendship for China, and literally
supplies her with guns and iron-clad ships,
and has secured the contract for building
line Of railway i'm China, and finally
that British officials are urging the Chinese
Minister to push his indemnify claims.
All this sounds very like story concocted
under Chinese tutelage, to influence the
passage of an indemnity bill. Indeed, a
later dispatch declares that the belief OBJ
tains that the publication Of these sensa-
tional stories was secured by Chinese
diplomats for that express purpose. Reason
forbids that the idea of German or Eng
fish interference should be entertained,
however much they contrive, as they
rightfully may, to gain broader foothold
in China. On what possible ground could
such interposition be based? Do the men
who gNe currency to such absurd stories
imagine that Congress can be frightened
by these impossible tales into passing any
bills whatever? The very last thing in
the world England or Germany desire is a
war with the United States. They would
probably make commercial profit out of
an open rupture between China and our
Government They could not be blamed
for 50 doing. The American people I'M
derstand this clearly. But on this side of
the continent, at least, they are perfectly
willing that the consequences of shutting
of Chinese immigration shall be visited
upon the United States. The trade
OF China, were it hundred fold
greater than it is, cannot compensate for
the barter OF the American birthright.
In this question of contending civilizations,
commercial loss or gain, no matter what
1t may be, should cut no figure, since it is
inconceivabie that our Government should
ever contemplate the trading off of the
prosperity of the working clslsses for pots
OF ginger and mats of rice. China viii
buy where she can trade to be- advantage !;
she viii sell where she can secure the
highest price. The inhibition upon the
free incoming of her people TO America
will never be considered a factor in the
game of cent per cent by her merchants
and money and goods dealers. The policy
of China has always been an exclusive
one she does not desire the exodus of her
people, her rulers and patriarchs are not
favorable to much emigration. II is not
conceivable, therefore, that because we
restrict Chinese immigration the Chinese
Empire will break off relations with us.
1t may threaten if we refuse to pay its
people for loss at the hands Of American
mobs; indeed, retaliation might follow re-
fusal, but that China would lw the greater
sufferer in the event of such an act of war
Is certain. The response of the President
and Mr. Bayaid to the claim for indemnity
was such as Should satisfy the Chinese
Government /; the introduction by Mr..
Belmont of ! ill in accord with the spirit
of the suggest on of the President, GER
tainly testiiess to readiness to do even
handed iusticek If, however, China is at
tempting to lrowbeat and force Congress
by menaces Of retaliation into a speedy
action, it is prbbable that the scheme will
fail. The American people are the very
last in the void to be driven. As for the
idea that Gerrhany and England propose
to hazard all heir vast commerce with the
United States in the interest of China by
aiding her in the recovery of hundred
thousand doll Ars or so, it is, as we have
already said. :hDsurd.