The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-04
THE POPE AND THE CHINESE SITUATION


A well authenticated interview with
so exclusive a parsonage as the Pope Is
a rare piece of news as daily newspapers
90. And so the News and Observer,
even with the excellence and diligence
of the Associated Press service, was not
prepared Sunday morning to hear a.
frank deliverance from so eminent a
source, upon the wisdom and probable
consequences of Germany's recent move
upon Kiaochau, where, moreover,
that country is now intrenched. Besides
being a splendid piece of news-getting,
the few words of Leo, whose brilliance
and sweep as a statesman are not sur
passed in Europe, serve to take the
Chinese programme out of the region of
petty dispute, and to put it in its proper
relation to the larger movement of ma
tons.
Quoting from the dispatch, relative
to his audience with the Pope, Bishop
Amer said that his Holiness highly APP
proved the energy shown by Germany
in the gigantic task of opening China
and preparing her for the blessings of
Christianity and civilization
1t seems to be fairly well settled that
no rupture viii ensue over the occupa-
ton by Germany of Kiaochau, or by
Russia of Port Arthur, while Japan as
result of the war holds Wei-Hai-Wei,
with England to have as her share Port
Hamilton or the Island of Chusan, and
France the Island of Hainan.
1t is with the result after these occu-
pations shall have become history that
we have to do both as to the colossal
consequences to civilization as boldly and
broadly announced by Pope Leo, and as
to the narrower but to us distinctly vital
effect upon American interests.
While the Bosphorus in the midst of
the problem tangled by the diplomacy of
centuries, and by the present hazardous
relations of the Powers to its position,
must remain practically an abandoned
ground for the purposes of commercial
advantage, it must be taken only as a
logical necessity that the restless Wes-
tern nations would. through one pretext
or another, sooner or later, find foot
hold whereby the laws of modern COM
mercial relations could be worked out.
The first step is being taken, with Rus
STA and China clinging yet to the old
order. 1t is then with reference to
China the beginning, probably, Of one of
the greatest moves the world has wit
messed.
As to America, it has been suggested
that at this moment when the Powers
this country would be listened to with the
| greatest eagerness. The only interest
claimed for America is one of the pres
| eryation of trade relations as encou-
ragged by the present liberal terms as to
the admission of our exports to China.
Should any threatening crisis, after
lHls uIauueI, arise, Jdpdu, AAhSldHu anu
the United States will, perhaps, easily
be brought together, with Germany,
France and Russia, for different rea-
sons, unfriendly to this country. And
herein comes the gravity of the outlook,
not from the occupation of the points
which have already been discounted in
the diplomatic mind.
To students of history and commerce
and sociology, the moving Of the present
panorama is one that grows in interest
as it passes, and probably the strongest
line in the picture thus far. and the line
of deepest meaning, became visible
when the words of Pope Leo uttered al
moment so critical came, therefore
with sureness and lack of reserve
strangely significant.