Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-29
Interests Involved Which Cannot Be
Ignored.
IN Case OF PARTITION OF CHINA
The Oriental Question as Viewed
in Diplomatic Circles.
DIVIDING THE TERRITORY

The more the Chinese situation is exam
ined by men in Congress capable of grasp
ing the subject. the more convinced they
becone that this government has interests
involved which cannot safely be ignored.
The contention between the foreign powers
for territorial Ioothold has for its object
the control of the oriental commerce. This
country has treaty rights which will un-
doubtedly be respected SO long as the trea-
ties exist, but if China is dismembered and
divided among the powers those treaty
rights will no longer exist, unless we have
taken steps In advance Of the catastrophe
to China to secure their continuance by the
powers in control, or unless we fight to re-
gain them after they have been lost II
China is not dismembered, but is placed un-
der the domination of one or more Of the
foreign powers, treaties may be abrogated
by the direction of the controlling powers
1t is not believed that this country can
safely rely upon the voluntary generosity
or the governments contending for COM
mercial supremacy. Such philanthropy Is
no. expected between nations. 1t is be-
| lieved that the safety of our interests can
be insured only by an early demand that
nothing be done by the powers with re-
spect to China which does not include per-
petual security to our treaty rights and
commercial interests. This security being
assured, il is held, we can have no interest
further in how the territory may be divided
| or which of the contending powers has ad-
vantage over the others which is dis
n.embered or destroyed in its power. We
will not care who owns the spring so long
as he does not muddy and befoul the wa
ter which flows from it through our farm.
An eminent authority on international
affairs said today that a situation might
develop when the United States would
be called upon to so much further than
protect American interests at the treaty
ports in China. This situation would come,
he said, If the scramble for Chinese ter
ritory went to the extent of the eXtinc-
ton of China and the complete absorption
of the old empire by foreign nations. Such
was the apparent drift of the present move
ment he said. and if it became reality,
then condition would arise similar to the
determination of Poland. Poland had es-
tablished a precedent in international af-
fairs, he said, and following that preca-
dent if China was to be absorbed hen 1t
was question which the United States in
common with all the nations of the world
must take cognizance of. Until this final
movement occurred. however, it was plain
that the United States had no interest in
the fencing of European nations and
Japan for coaling stations and ports on
the Asiatfc coast.
May nc Brought Up in Congress-.
1t has practically been decided now that
resolution en- the subject will be brought
up in Congress, unless some word from the
administration is received which will show
it to be unnecessary.
Speaking on the subject, prominent
member of the Senate said to a Star re-
porter that there was nothing inconsistent
with our policy of non-interference in af-
fairs remote from this continent in our
insisting that our commercial interests and
existing treaty rights shall be regarded and
protected in whatever great International
policies are rut into effect He said that
he would favor giving notice to the powers
concerned that we would resist the carry
ing Out of any policy in China which would
deprive of our commercial privileges
though we ould in no way participate in
the grab for territory.
4 Japanese Diplomats View.
In the meantime however, the diplomats
are much concerned in the movements of
their respective governments. leading
Japanese diplomat. said today: II do not
look at the question as involving the parti-
ton of China, and no event has occurred
thus far to indicate that China is about to
be divided among the powers.
The only tangible fact is that Germany
has occupied Kaio Chau bay and Russia
has a fleet at Po.t Arthur. But Germany's
action was taken to collect an indemnity
for an indignity to German missionaries,
just as she enforced indemnity from Hay
ii. Beyond this Germany may seek to es-
tahlish a naval station at Kaio Chau and
thus have naval base Of operations on the
Pacific. Blu. that does not involve the
taking of any considerable portion of Chi
nese territory and it is yet to be shown
that Germany will take more than a coast
PORT ard such land Immediately adjacent
to give the port proper facilities. II 1t
comes to taking territory. the course OF
China must not be overlooked. While Chi
ma is weak from a military and naval
standpoint, yet she has an enormous num-
ber of men ready 10 take the field, while
the entire fcrce of Germans at kaio Chau
fey1
a weak nation Is strong in defending its
own territory.
.'There are reports that Japan would aid
China in an extremity, but there Is notning
In that Japan doubtless will act alone If
there is any reason for, acting at all. Thus
far, however l know Of no steps that ia
pan has taken or contemplates toward tax
fng part in the controversy. My impression
is that she will remain an Independent and
neutral observer. Her position will be
much stronger by such a policy than it
would be by an alliance at the outset. AS
an observer, If she sees that the partition
of China Is at hand, doubtless she would
have some part to take, but for the pres
ent there is no evidence that such an emer-
gency Is near.
An Old Story.
Another Japanese diplomat said: "All
the powers have known for the last year
that a secret treaty was made last year
between Russia and China by which Rus
sia was to have the right to winter her
fleet at Port Arthur. For that reason the
presence of the Russian fleet at Port Ar
thur does not lead other nations to fear
that Russia has begun movement Of ter
ritorial aggression on China. On the con-
trary. Russia and China are nearer to-
gether than any other two nations in the
present contest, and If China is to get
any outside relief 1t will come from Russia
1t is quite plain from recent events that
Russia has not got ready yet to have China
partitioned, and until Russia is ready for
that step 1t will not occur. Moreover. there
is a misapprehension as to the Russian
occupation of Port Arthur. 1t is not
land occupation, but Is merely a quarter
ing of the Russian feet in the outer har-
boz. Vladivostock being icebound, without
connection with the Shore"
Reports ExagRerated.
A Chinese diplomat said: 1.-THE alleged