The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-22

Absorbed though we are at present in
our own affairs. we cannot be indiffer-
sns to the condition Of affairs ia Asia
IL Ii no. partition Of China that viii
take place but disintegration. and I'M
less we look TO II we shall be shut out
from one OF the best markets for our
products and be forever precluded from
sharing In the development Of the
Orient.
The only policy we need to care about
In that every port opened to = foreigner
should be . free port. Under the most
favored nation clause we would no
doubt be able TO make some claims. il
that In Included in our treaty with
China. but there is a possibility of dodg
Ing 1t through the ninety-nine-year
lease scheme. We are not compelled
TO recognize 1t unless we choose TO take
advantage Of the subterfuge az an ex-
cusa for not interfering.
The plea OF Russia for attempting to
exercise greater influence In China Is
that the question II resolved into
whether the white or the yellow race
is to dominate. X Japan In not isolat-
ed. the Russian government says. 1t
will unite forces with China and the
advance OF the whole white race is
checked. The Russian government Is
said to have used the word doomed"
but that Is an exagKeration. No doubt
the partition OF China or further sub
lection TO the white nations would be
stopped for a time. but the survival OF
the Caucasian is inevitable. 1t Ia pro-
ceeding now, and nothing can stop It.
TERED by any mistaken notions OF SYM
pathy. All we need do is to attempt
10 make the decline OF the decadent
nation as comfortable as possible. and
tc live up TO standard Of honor our
selves In refusing to enter upon any
plan Of determination. All we ask OF
other nations Ia that we shall not be
Disseminated against but be permitted
10 have a share OF the business Of the
world.
The Manchus are failure as a gov
erning dynasty. The probability is that
the court and capital will be removed
frem Picking to Nankin. and this IL
only the prelude to n change In the
reigning house. The governors OF the
provinces will probably elect new en-
peror. and China will be concentrated
orcs more Manchuria viii break off
aud IL viii be either separate govern
nsent for time or IL will a, onfe sur
renter To Russia. with whose subjects
Ia that region they are more akin than
tn the genuine Chinese.
So long as the English and French
were united as the only nations having
AT interest in or possession of any par,
C China its government had no fear ef
partition. Russia was kept I'm check
and Germany was not suspected OF se-
rlods designs, New. England is utter
IL unable 10 go 10 the aid OF China. and
the land of the Mongols Is at the mercy
uf Russia. Indeed. It's ministers admit
that they cannot resist the demands
Of Russia. Yielding tn them is only
as surely opening the way FOR more and
giving peacefully what Russia would
attempt to take by force,
Into these matters this country would
rot lind II prudent 70 gu- We could
not think of taking possession az any
Chinese territory but Nc have q rizht
to ard should Insist upon being admit
tel n 81 fair share Of the business Of
every per' og@faed az TO any foreign ma
ti0n.