The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-30
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W u llHb ans tAt NuAiVnS NlAAiatSA
20 the United States, has given an inter
view to the press. in which he makes
some very pertinent suggestions regard
ing the movement OF the European pow
ers against China, and the evident in
tention to partition that country and
virtually blot the ancient empire from
the map of the Old World. He INDUCES
in some fine sarcasm, and makes some
points that should enlist the sympathies
OF fair-minded people OF all countries
against the European scheme of aggran-
dlzement when he inquiries: what has
China done that she should be divided up
and parcelled among the powers? What
IS her offense against nations and clvill-
cation? They talk of Remembering
China. Why do they not partition Tur-
key? Everybody knows her history.
Every schoolboy knows she was long the
scourge Of Europe, and dime and again
has made bloody conquests, some OF
which she still holds on the other hand,
the Chinese have kept well within their
own territory and have never disturbed
the peace OF Europe"
This statement of the Chinese minister
Is literally true. 1t Is true that China
Is pagan nation and Is centuries behind
modern civilization, but she has been no
menace to the peace OF the world. Tur-
key has been not only dlsturber of the
peace. but her whole history is written
in blood and her prosecutions other I'M
fortunate subjects gained By conquest
have been a blot upon civilization and
she herself is even now bone Of conten-
tlon among the powers Of Europe, threat
ening at no distant day an upheaval.
China never has been an aggressive
power, and Is content to keep herself in
tact without infringing upon the rights
OF other nations. why not seize Tur-
key. which Is a disgrace to civilization
and a constant menace to the peace OF
Europe, and leave China, which Is at
peace with the world to work out her
own destiny" asks Minister WI Ting
Fang. Why no., indeed? The supersh-
tious fanaticlsm OF the people OF China
Is a matter that Is offensive TO Christian
nations, 1t is true; the absolute monarch
zeal form OF government. and the Gus
toms OF the pass ages, which stIll pre-
vail, together with the on-progresslve-
ness OF the country, are odious to civil
ICED nations, but what nation suffers but
China herself? What has she done to
the European powers that they should
pounce upon her with the presumed in
,entlon OF blottlng her out and dividing
her UP among themselves, to satisfy
their own greed for more territory?
II is beginning to dawn upon the re-
mainder OF the world that there is some
thing back Of the whole movement
something aside from the interests OF
civilization. The trade of the orient IS
the prize, perhaps. The United States
lust now enjoys a fair share of Il, and
the signs are that that our oriental
trade viii grow to enormous proportions
Involved in The movement which is now
being witnessed, and which may yet re-
eul, In an international complication that
bodies dire results is the selfish greed
which seeks to check this American
trade
This may be only an incident, but 1t Is
serious one. In the meantime II is
time for Inc United States government
20 look 70 rs owa interests in the mat
ter. Hawaiian annexation ia u factor In
the situation which becomes more I'm
portant each day In view OF the deyel-
opments that are rapidly reaching crit
,cais.agc tho annexation Of this vantage
point In the Pacific Is not n matter OF
continent. but an imperative duty.