The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-09-28
THE FATE or CHINA.

ct Peklng Il OF Mantchu Tartar origin
and does not possess tho confidence or
affection Of its subjects. Nothing but the
skill Of European and American officers
saved this dynasty from destruction ut the
time Of the Tapping rebellion. The only
troops trusted by the government ~ Psking
are the Aantchu Tartsrs. and the Chinese
army recently defeated At Pingy sng was
composed OF these Mantchus and portion
Of L. Hung Changes provincial army. To
draw troops from southern and central
China would be 10 invite rebellion against
the present dynasty.
From this point of view II is easy to see
that Japan Is not really outnumbered in
this contest. because China can employ
safely against Japan only comparatively
small portion OF her vast population. or
course If China sues for peace she will
only secure IL at vast and permanent reduc-
ton of her present influence and conse-
quenee IN Asia. Japan IS a compact. mill
itary unit will rise TO the condition of a
frst-ciass power and will practically die
tate the fate OF China, even as Germany
since Sadowa and Sedan has really been
the arbitcr OF the fate of Austria. II Ger
many should consent to agree with Russia
upon partition of Austria, that empire
would be absorbed tomorrow as COM
pletely by Germany. Russia and Italy as
Poland was in the last century by Russia.
Austria and Prussia. Some partition OF
this sort awaits China within the next
fifty years. She is too weak to fight sue
cessfnily; her government is alien and I'M
popular with China proper: she Is defense
less because of her stupid policy of exclu-
sion. and yet the moment her exclusiveness
Is broken down her present dynasty is
likely to be driven from the throne. Then
whatf The replacement of the representa-
tives of the old native Ming dynasty would
avail little. The best thing that could
happen TO China would be the dissolution
OF her vast empire.
If Russia. England, France and Japan
should agree to the partition of China it
would be a good thing for civilization
Let Japan take Korea and the coast
provinces of China; let Russia absorb
Northern and Western China, England
take Thibet and France all of Tonquin
and Cochin China that she does not now
possess. Russian civilization is rather
rude. but il is far better than a stationary
engine of superstition and pedantic bar
barism represented by China, for Russian
| civilization would mean the introduction
| of railroads and steamboats,. Russian
| civilization has done wonders for the i'm
| provement of the barbarlans who inhabit
| Turoomania. If the powers of Europe
may divide up vast territories in Africa,
from Cape Colony to Abyssinia, from the
Barbary States 10 Soudan. senegambia
and the kongo State. Why not divide
| ChIna7
Japan. having dropped the policy of ex-
elusiveness. so far from repelling. invites
European intercourse and trade, and
eagerly adopts the ways of Western Eu-
rope. To Japan could be safely trusted
the Europeanixing of the coast provinces
! of China, while Russia, from Siberia,
could rule Northern and Western China.
| and England and France could let the
| light of day stream into Thlbei, Tonauin
| and all Of Southern China. Such result
| very likely will not take place, but in lieu
Of IL the Chinese empire wili probably die
miserable, lingering death.
II is useless 90 expect, in case japan
continues victorious. that China can ever
again be more than the nero shadow of
her former self in power and influence.
Japan has proved the organic weakness of
the Chinese system of government, and
| China wih never recover from the shock
of this discovery. II Is too late for China
to overtake Japan. and she is like to be-
| the victim heneeforth of constant rebel.
lions against her government. ending at
last in general breakup Of her vast and
| camhrous empire.
China is q back NUMBER in civilization,
aud Europe. with japan for g spearhead,
Is sure 30 pierce the ohsolets armor of her
ezelasiyeness and destroy her significance
and solidarity as an imperial unit. All
this will not take place Immediately, bat
/ IL Is not probable that there will be any
Chinese empire City years from today.
The var With Japan has exposed Chins's
| ineurable weakness. and the Celestial en-
| pire within hfsy years is likely 20 fail of its
! own weight, even il IL is not violently in.
vaaed and dismembered by foreign foes.
Furthermore, the same fate that awaits
/ Chiaa IN Asia awaits Russia in Europe.
unless Russia reforms her present govern
msnt and replaces its absolutism with a
constitutional government. like that OF
/ England or Germany. The world grows
lsss and iess patient every year with such
q government As that of Russia, because
the world sees that Napoleon the Great
| wss not far out Of the way when he said 81
So Helena that in the next century Ra-
rops would lie either aA republican
or sll Cosssck. The drift Of the world is
against aesolnsism, either in China or
| RaaiA China does not see this. and never
/ will zee /. until she wakes up some tine
morning to ind the nimsy fabric OF her
vast empire ia fragments 81 her feet
| Russia does zee 1T breads II. and viii prob
| ably some day save herself by timely
| repentance and the concession Of = con-
| ssitnsional TORN Of government 20 her
| peoels. In the meantime. Russia can help
| d'ssntesrsts and absorb the Chinese en-
/ ERE. Which 10 . vass political and social
desert. aud always vill - unii! il Is seized.
appropriated, drained aa3 cultivated By
ia civilization Of Western Europe. Tais
asxraels result may come pezceahIy OF
nay eosze hv tue rude hand Of military
| eonees.s asa eoanses:ion. and thus far
7 -s.A =. s~.ah stassstratEaH If kha tyuth -