St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-08-18
CRISIS IN CHINA.
The Foreign Fleets May Shell the
Stubborn CeIestiaIs.


SHANGHAI, Aug. 17.-There is no use
in ignoring the fact that crisis in af-
fairs political exists in this country at
the present moment, and the combined
fleets of the powers may be called upon
at at time to take effective action. The
danger clouds have been on the horizon
for months past. The smoldering fires
caused by the agitation existing against
foreigners and others among the pOpu
lace have repeatedly broken out into
fame, but apparently, without, until
quite recently, revealing the strength
of the volcano which is threatening
a most disastrous outbreak. In
ternal affairs, undoubtedly, are the
inward and main cause of the displays
of ill-feeling against foreigners which
are only the outward signs of the move
ment in progress. In this city at pres
ent state of great excitement prevails
at the increased and still increasing
tension between the Chinese govern
ment and the ministers of the foreign
powers. From all the appearances The
former are obstinate in their refusal to
redress injuries. Some people say that
the government dare not take this step,
j
powers, for fear of incurrlng storm OF
popular disapproval; in any case, there
is no doubt as to the ObStinacy of the
government to right the wrongs in
flicted upon the foreign residents Of
Shanghai.
On the other hand. there is also no
reason to doubt that if the Chinese au-
thorities do not yield to the firm de-
mands of the ministers of the powers,
concerted hostile action upon the part of
the war vessels of the various nations at
present in these waters is imminent.
Too much damage has been done and
too many Outrages have been perpe-
trated upon the foreign residents of this
city to permit of the powers submitting
any longer to be put off with vague
statements, which, in the main, actually
mean that China cannot, or will not, re-
dress the wrongs done to peaceful resi-
dents of foreign nationalities, and that
China does not admit that the latter
have been outrageOusly treated in their
persons or in their possessions, by Chi
nese mobs over which the authorities
seem to have no control.
Such is the state of affairs, and it is
now known that the foreign ministers
have been compelled to inform the
Chinese government that joint naval
demonstration of an effectiye nature, Sin
which the French, American. British
and German squadrons will take part,
will be ordered in the near future unless
speedy reparation is made Tor the in
juries, outrages and abuses complained
of by the ministers of the powers.
Naturally the foreign population Of this
city, being aware of the firm stand
taken by the ministers, and having
knowledge of the ultimatum sent to
the Chinese government, is in state of
considerable anxious expectation, and
will so remain until the reply of the
Chinese government is made known.
The Standard to-day, commenting
upon the Chinese situation, says: Should
China persist in her present attitude
grave consequences are threatened, and
no one can foresee the issue. This is
what the shrewder spirits of the Kolao
and other secret societies desire. They
hope to embroil the government with
the foreign powers, and thus distract it
while it followed its own schemes,
knowing that if the foreign powers at
tackled China doubtless the empire
would collapse, and the whole land
would fall into state of anarchy which
would no be suppressed IN our time.
Happily some of the diplomats
of Europe understand the condition of
affairs, and knowing how fragile is the
imperial authority in China, will per-
suade others to deal with it in the most
| gihgerly manner.
TEN TsfN, Aug. 1.-THE ministers
of the foreign powers nave Increased
the pressure which has been placed
upon the Chinese government, insisting
upon the punishment of the rioters and
Of the officials who neglected to afford
protection to foreigners and to the lat
ter's property. The foreign ministers do
notaemand peeuniary indemnity, hay