The record-union., 1898-01-04
THE LATEST PLRATICAL NEWS.

If no more than one-half is true
charged against Germany in the mat
ter of her occupation Of a Chinese prov
ince. that nation will wear whatever
honor-s attach to the title 1.-THE Rob
Der Nation" That she has seized
upon Chinese territory without suffl-
cient cause is now undeniable. For the
mob outrages upon her missionaries
Germany certainly had a right to de-
mand 1eparation, but it appears that
she never gave the Chinese opportunity
to do the fair thing. But few hours
were allowed for a reply to the Ger
man demand, not time enough in which
subordinate officials could possibly
communicate with the Imperial Gov
ernment and receive replies.
More than this, 1t is charged, and
the facts appear to bear out the state
ment. that there We're no negotiations
concluded through the usual diplomatic
channels, but that the commander OF
the Chinese fort on Kiaochau Bay was
tricIzed by the German naval COM
mander, who induced him to surrender
possession of the fortifcation, on the
assurance, on his word of honor, that
the Imperial Government had consented
to the occupation, and would not re-
buke the Chinese official for acceding
to the demand.
Ii Hung Chang has been recalled
from his retiracy by the Emperor Of
China to advise in the present crisis.
From an interview with him by the
New York Herald representative, it
is learned that China views the occupa-
ton Of her territory by the Germans
as nothing less than robbery. He de-
clares that the act was in direct viola
ton Of the treaties existing between the
two Powers; that China had offered to
make full reparation for the murder Of
the two missionaries and to do so
Immediately, including the punishment
OF the officials who failed to control
the mob, and including also the pay
ment Of proper indemnity. Neverthe-
less Germany occupied Kiaochau, and
the Chinese have not attempted to re-
take the place because Of a desire to
avoid hostilities. The Chinese states
man calls attention to the fact that
the lawless and riotous are to be
found in all lands, and not infrequently
commit outrages which local govern
ments are powerless to prevent. In
the case Of the murdered missionaries
they went to a province where they
knew that disorder has prevailed more
Chinese themselves often being the
sufferers from assaults by these out
laws. The aged Minister concludes
his protest in these words:
OF late years. from instruction and
observation, the Chinese have come to
regard the countries Of the Western
world as models, and eyka greater in
justice than In arms. Is 1t just to op-
press US while we are struggling to
emerge from the restraints of our an
cient civilization, while Improvement
and progress steadily continue? Should
China be distressed by having her
SA1iGS 4AAN NcACA ttAAl i4NA lElAAAOiS OINA-
pied because Of an occurrence which
Western countries would deal with by
law and not by war-an unexpected in
cident, deplored by my Government
and followed by full redress?
1t IS impossible for the fair mind and
the Just man to stihe the feeling that
China in this matter has been dealt with
most outrageously, and that Germany
seized upon the himsiest of pretexts to
broaden her possessions even at the
sacrifice Of national honor and the
violation Of the laws Of nations. It
remains to be seen If the greed for
territory viii so far prevail with other
nations as to lead them TO wink at the
action Of Germany. or whether they
will be inspired by sentiments of jus
tice, ard protest, II not resist, the au-
tocratic and conquesting procedure of
the German Emperor.
It IS reasonably to be feared that
the s6-called civilized Powers VIII take
the former course; and more. that they
will make the action of Germany a
pretext for unjust acquisition of Chi
nese territory themselves. on the plea
that the balance of foreign power in