The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-02
SUNDAY, JANUARY Q, 1898.


The indications seem 10 be growing that
there has been some unnecessary excite
ment over the movements OF Germany and
Russia in the direction OF China. II is
stated in a sort OF authoritative way
in Washington that our State Department
has assurances from both countries that
no such thing as a partition Of China IS m
contemplation. The Germans assure us
that they mean nothing more than an en-
forcement OF their demands upon China
for naturalization on account Of the muir
dered Germans. The terms imposed are
vigorous and severe; nevertheless. they
can be easily complied with, ana Germany
says she will be ready TO oyauato Chinese
territory as soon as they are complied
with. Russia assures us that her occupa-
ton of Port Arthur is in conformity with
. treaty she has had with China for sew
oral years under which China consents
that she may winter her fleet I'm Port
Arthur, and that as soon as the winter
weather IS over. she will evacuate the
port. Our State Department may have
these assurances or TT may not have them.
We give the statements rs they are made
1t Is possible. how cver that this is all
CANNON. ana that ;Ae worlds opinion
that China's downfall and partition is Mt
hand is correct. J. this be so, then IL is
Idle for rs 20 disguise the fact tina: II IS
going 20 10 q cause Of serious trouble in
this country. and we had - well be con-
Iidering the case and making up or
minds what we are going 70 DO about it.
We have very great trade interests with
China. and there are mary and very pow
trful interests I'm this country deeply con-
ierned in the case. Tho New York Jour
nal of Commerce has had the heads %
he chief houses In New York city inter
viewed concerning ;he matter, and the po-
nt.on is generally and aggressively taken
that this country Cannot stop. in case
China IS to be partitioned, with demand
ng that American rights as now guaran-
ieed by treaties shall be respected. The
Chinese trade they say, will grow to in
renewable dimensions. and they insist
thai when che partitioLing is going on,
This country must intervene ana demand
that IN each section OF tho divided empire
sit.zens Of tho United States shall have
all the privileges IN trading that the most
favored citizens OF any other country have.
IT will certainly be a contamination 10
be greatly desired if such a result as this
could be arrived at in case China is
partitioncd. but before We enter upon any
great project. prudence suggests that
We should sit down calmly and quietly
and count the cost Suppose we do in
tervone when the pariitonirg commences.
md make this demand and no attention is
paid 10 our demand. ARC We going to war
with the partiuonins parties TO compel
them TO concede what we ask? 1t seems
10 The Times that neither our self-respect
nor common sense will permit us to assert
such a demand anloss We arc going to fol-
low 1t up with war in case the demand is
disregarded. And. in case this should be
tho view OF the country. then. is it not
well. before We make the demand that
we should determine whether the game
Is worth the candle? VIII such trading
privileges in China be worth great for
eign war?
For ourselves we nave no difficulty in
saying that they will not be. We insist,
therefore. that this country shall not be
tempted into parting with It's national pol
ley OF non-intervention in foreign quar-
refs by any such speclous arguments as
those advanced by the interested parties
who want us to NEEDLE with Chinas fate.
We have many rights and privileges now
guaranteed 10 US by treaties with China
and these. OF course. we Will defend even
n II requires war TO assert them. But
there Is no danger Of our being excluded
from an equal footing in any event that
VIII Justify our becoming cntangled in the
disputed questions that will arise II Eu-
rome lays violent hands upon China Let
us stand by our traditional policy OF as
serting wha, IS ours under any and all
circumstances and everywhere. but leay-
ing foreign questions 10 be settled by