The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-26

ducts abound In various parts OF their
stupendous empire. the Chinese arc prac-
tlcally debarred from the enjoyment
OF any Of their natural resources. And
how? BY reason OF having an autocrauc
and utterly corrupt government. There
IL no argument TO be made against the
Socialist theory Of government so strong
as the hare mention of China's law.
There the government Is everything ana
there the government is utterly corrupt IN
all its departments and stages and the
consequences is the people are held
down in a state Of degradation vice and
other subseivlency.
The world can. OF course, only conJec-
;ure what is contemplated by the Powers
Of Europe Ia their present extraordinary
activity In Chinese spheres Russia's
seaport at Vladyostock is utterly mad
equate 10 answer the demands for an
eastern port which her rapidly develop
ing Siberian empire and her trans-contl.
mental railway are now making every
day. 1t Is too far north and 1t Is frozen
up several months of the year, so lhat
fl is far from answering the purposes OF
what she needs. 1t seems. therefore, 10
be generally conceded throughout Europe
that Russia is going TO possess herself
by fair means OF foul Of the Chinese sea-
port. Port Arthur, as an eastern ter
minus for her railway. The German
Emperor's seizure of the port he now
holds may be retaliatory measure 10
keep Germany even with Russia In her
eastern acquisition. II that be its pur-
pose then a general division Of CHINA IS
at hand and it is hardly TO be supposed
that England and France Will fan 10 step
M 70 demand their share in the division
OF spoil5 1t may be, however that Port
Arthur being tacitly conceded TO Russia
as a thing that is indispensable TO her'
the other powers propose 10 DO no more
than divide China off into districts. in
eacb of which one European Power will
exercise an influence without actually
disturbing the theoretical ownership
and control of China over all as one au-
tono1nous country. The opinion is grow
ing in well-informed circles that the
present movement, by an understanding
of the Powers. will go no further than
this. In that case England will have her
sphere Of influence. Germany, hers, Rus
STA hers and so on.
Much as the human mind Is naturally
shocked at the suggestion or strong
Powers ruthlessly dominating weak ones
without their consent, it will neverthe-
less be a great day for China and the
rest of the world II Europe really con-
templates taking China in hand after this
fashion. The abuses of a corrupt gov
eminent which now grind the people
down in the dirt will then be corrected.
and the Chinese will be allowed institu-
lions which will permit the individual
citizens to develop themselves along the
lines pursued by individuals in the civil
lized world at large. China Is now en-
trely without roads and the only method
Of transportation there is by navigation
OF her rivers. Roads will then he con-
structed all over the country and her inn
mense population will be brought INTO
contact with conditions that Will supply
il with the conveniences Of life that Will
turn her people from beasts into human
beings An immense demand will there
by be set up for all the thing that the
rest of the world produces, and an ac-
celebration to productive energies Will be
contributed that will produce an influence
in the rest of the world that is simply
incalculabe We repeat, it will be "a
great day for China and the rest OF the
world il Europe really contcmplates a
disposition of China such as We have
outlined
Meanwhile. what are we going to do
about it? That is question which seems
TO be giving all Of Europe the very great
est concern. But 1t may quiet its mind
entirely, We are not going TO do any
thing at all about il SO long as Europe
and the Chinese respect the rights of
Americans there and interfere in no way
with those trading rights which our
treaties with China give to Americans.
We want no Chinese country ana we
want no sphere of influence in China. All
We want is the liberty to our citizens
TO trade and traffic with the Chinese
upon terms Of perfect equality with the
people Of all other nations which our
treaties now secure 20 us, and that being
left undisturbed. the United States will
have nothing to say about what takes
place in China.