Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-25
ORIENTAL QUESTION
Attitude of the Administration in
Respect to China.
AMERICAN INTERESTS ARE INVOLVED
Assumption That the United States
Will Be Aggressive.
SUMMARY OF SITUATION

The course of the administration with
respect to the Chinese situation is going to
be watched with much interest by Con-
| gress. The exact meaning of the decision
reached by the President and his cabinet
| at the cabinet session yesterday Is not I'M
! derstood. The proposition to carefully
| watch American interests, but not to par
| ticipate in any grab of Chinese territory,
| may be variously interpreted. If given the
broad Interpretation that the situation
| seems to require. there will be much in the
| future to occupy the attention of the peo-
pie of this country. If 1t is merely he
usual perfunctory proposition there will
probably be something heard from in Con-
| gress on the subject, and, if it amounts to
nothing more, it will rouse a new political
| issue.
This Chinese question puts a problem of
foreign relations to the United States in a
different light from that in which ii has
| ever been presented before. This country
| is not interested in the expansion of en-
pires, and the policy adopted by Wash
ingtOii in the beginning and religiously adj
hered to ever since 9recludeS this govern
| ment from participating in the partition of
China. if that partition is to occur. But
there is more in this question now pre-
! scented than the acquisition of territory or
supremacy of empire
As it appears to those best qualified to
judge. the United States has an interest in
the fate of China and the action of the
foreign powers not conceived of in the
policy of isolation laid down during the
youth of the republic.
1t is held by some Of the broadest visoned
men in Congress that the policy of indif
ference toward the international politics of
European AMI Asiatic powers does not eX-
tend to our commercial relations with those
powers nor to the action of those powers
,trh foo rnfn yny1C
Such an Interpretation of that policy as
would ignore an injury to our commercial
development, 1t is held, would place restric-
tons upon us which would ultimately be
distinctive.
Duty Of This Government.
1t is the opinion of careful students of the
situation that the duty of this government
is to participate to the extent of securing
| in perpetuity such commercial rights and
privileges in the orient will admit of the
| indefinite development of our commerce on
the Pacific. 1t may be a matter of indif-
ference to the United States what terri
torial dominion is acquired in China by
Germany, Russia, England or Japan, pro-
vided their extension of empire does not
carry with it the power to place upon our
trade-or prospective trade-wlth the orient
such a restriction as they may see fit
In other words, it is held to be our duty
to claim certain commercial privileges in
dependent OF tNe caprice OF cOutenOlDS f1ft-
tons our share of the general division
OF Spain and that We should not consent TO
the carrying out of any policy as to China
hich deprives us of that.
This view of the situation is one that
looks into the future. In the life of a ma
ton a few generations count for little. If
this republican form of government Is to
survive, there must be no restriction upon
its development which does not rest as well
upon other forms of government. A
| healthy DEVELOPMENT for country like
this does not involve, necessarily. terri
torial expansion. 1t Is naturally confined
To internal progress and advancement in
production, in manufacturing and the arts,
and the opening UP of markets to be reach
ed with our commerce.
The protective policy of the administra-
ton and the natural resources of this coUn-
try may be expected to lead to the highest
internal development, and the home mar
ket will naturally expand. foreign mar
ket is necessary, however. TO render avail
able the profits of this capacity for pro-
duction. In Germany, France, England, and
cy of protection to American industries Is
met by retaliation and competition. There
is well defined limit to the expansion of
our trade In that direction. The orient
alone is open, or may be opened and there
the trade is undeveloped and subject to al
most unlimited devel o2ment in the future.
Future Possibilities.
If dominant rival powers are to dictate
the tariff laws. and sign commercial treat
les for China, to grant or take away at
their will commercial privileges we may
seek or now enjoy, 1t is foreseen that a
great wall will gradually be constructed
around the United States, and we will sink
to q low place among nations. being the
hewers of wood and the drawers of water,
with a prospect of. in the course of time,
finding ourselves in the condition China
now is.
Those who see the situation in this light
confess that they may be looking a hun
bred years or more ahead, but the fruits Of
a policy of government are slow of devel-
opment, one generation planting for gen.
erations remote.
1t is not felt that this government need
assume an attitude of hostility toward any
power engaged in the scramble for China
but we should not let foreign governments
think indifferent.
The comments of the foreign press show
that it is realized abroad that our interests
are seriously involved, and the disposition
Is manifested to assume that We will follow
| a more aggressive policy than is at all like
ly. This, 1t is thought, renders it easier
to make a conservative but firm policy
more effective.
1t Is expected that soon after Congress
meets the administration will receive as
surances of being sustained in any steps
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