The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-30
WHICH is THE JINGO.
American Diplomatic Methods Com
traste6 with European Bluff.
The Independent.


Not long ago some American missionaries
in China were murderously attacked and
scarcely escaped with their lives Our gov
eminent protested, demanded redress, sent
Il commission to the spot with some show
OF injured dignity, and through the Chinese
officials, peaceably secured indemnity That
was the better American way Of doing
things. Similar outrageS were perpetrated
on the persons of American citizens in
Turkey and on their property. The Ameri-
can government made protests, but did
nothing more. The American minister said
the time was not opportune to do more as
things were in a disturbed state, and other
countries had claims not yet adjusted. This
was our worse, but still peaceable, way of
dealing with injuries done us. Not a few
American citizens have been captured by
the Spanish authorities in Cuba, some guilty
of aiding rebellion and some innocent. Our
government has used its good offices for
them, but always in the most courteous and
pacific way. There has been no touch of
Jingoism in the whole history of our pro-
ceedings in these cases
Now let us compare the European way
with the American
A colored man in Haiti, who has, some
how, got German protection, got into trouble
with the Haitian government. The German
minister in Haiti burst into the apartments
of the President az an unseemly hour, de-
manded the mans release, and threatened
the black republic with the direst conse-
quences if the man was not instantly re-
leased. Germany would listen to no argu-
ment or reason, and Haiti, though prob
ably in the right was inundated.
Two German missionaries in China were
killed by mob. The case was precisely
the same as that in which American mis-
sionares had been attacked. Before the
Chinese government, which promised
speedy redress, had time to make arrests
the commander of the German fleet in the
Chinese waters, without giving any notice
until after the deed was DONE seized very
valuable Chinese harbor required the sur
render of the fort and took possession of
the district in the name of the German gov
eminent. The Chinese government natural
ly expresses it's surprise, and states that
for the sake of preserving peace 1t had or
dered the garrison to withdraw. This is the
German way of doing things.
The Turkish authorities at Mersine had
been guilty Of an indignity to Austrian citi-
zens engaged in legitimate business there.
1t had also failed to pay to a railroad COM
pany in which Austrian money was invest
ed the proper charges for the transportation
of soldiers during the late war with Greece.
The Austrian government made demands,
instant demands for full payment of trans
portation and for the removal of the muta-
serif at Mersine. and of the vail at Adana.
Austria would listen to no apologize delay,
but threatened bombardment and virtual
war if the demand was not Immediately
granted 1t was granted in two days. That
is the Austrian way of doing things.
And let people talk about American
jingoism. Why there is no American jingo-
ism that goes further than the lips of a few
irresponsible fellows. Nobody wants war
We even hesitate to take foreign territory
as a gift. Hawaii is offered to us and we
delay and are still uncertain Santo Do
mingO was offered and we said no. If Cuba
should be offered 1t is extremely doubtful
if we would take it. Perhaps half our peo-
pie would not have the courage. Jingoism?
Why, we must so abroad 10 learn what the
word means.