The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-21
THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS.

American Review. China is the kernel of
the question. The fate of China is the
problem to be solved. Two forces must
work out the solution. These are the
predatory nations on one side and the
Commercial nations" on the other. The
predatory nations. according to Mr., Col
quhoun's classifca ton, are Russia, Japan,
Germany and France; the commercial ma
tons are Great Britain and the United
States. The gentleman insists that the
United states have now become a world
power by their own acts, and that they
cannot escape the responsibilities which
rest upon them as such, whether they
would do so or not. He takes 1t for
granted that we are to remain perma-
uenuy in the Philippines, and says "the
Philippines without China are meaning
less"
The government of China is effete, impo-
tent, rotten" It must go. The territory
Of China is immense. rich and populous.
Its capacities for production and con-
sumption are almost beyond calculation.
The empire is a vast treasure mine, who'll
ly undeveloped in accordance with mod
ern ideas. II is the most promising field
of the world for the exploitation of capital
modern inventions and enterprise.
There are two possible fates for China.
one is dismemberment and apportionment
among the predatory nations" which Mr..
Colquhoun says they are now preparing
for The other is the saving of the en-
pire intact through the infusion of new
ideas and new blood into the decadent
government; somewhat after the manner
that Japan was revived and made a pro
gressive, aggressive and solidly- based ma
ton. This task, if it is TO be done, must
be performed by the Commercial ma
TONS" otherwise Great Britain and the
United States. No help TO that end can
he looked for from che so-called predatory
nations. Russia. on the north of the help
less empire, stands young. strong, power
full and hungry, eager to pounce upon and
seize the rich morse. Near at hand are
Japan, Germany and France. watchful
and eager to seize for themselves such
scraps as the Great Bear may not grasp
upon the first onset. The seizure of China
by these Powers would close the parts
seized TO other nations than themselves.
They desire the prey for the qualification
of their own stomachs.
England, following along the line laid
down by Golden and other statesmen of
his day, has pursued a passive, or at most
a negative policy towards China. She
has kept her hands off She has adhered
to the open door" in whatever conces-
sions she has received from China. The
United States, following the Monroe Doc
trine and Washington's Farewell Address,
have kept aloof from Eastern questions.
Their interests have been comparatively
small in China, and they have not sought
to become a controlling factor in the af-
fairs of the Far East The policies of
these Powers, according to Mr.. Colqu-
houn's views, are bound in the cerements
of the grave; they are the ideals of dead
men; they may have been sufficient unto
their day, but they do not fit the pres
emit The two countries, he says, should
act in concert in The Far Eastern ques-
ton, in order to save and enhance their
mutual interests.
The best means to the end, he thinks, is
through the infusion of new blood into
China's government. The operation will
take time and patience; and meantime the
predatory nations" should be held off
The best way to get new blood into Chi
mas veins, and new ideas into her head
is through the medium of material enter
prises. Every steam engine planted in the
empire, every factory set up, every rail
road built, every hole dug in the ground
by Englshmen or Americans, is Nthat
much of a factor towards the saving oil
| China from ACKNOWLEDGMENT and the re.
habilitaton Of her government and people
| The recent great railroad concession
granted Americans MIR. Colquhoun regards
as a very long step in advance and OF
the right line. Still the danger is not
past England and America have not ye
| taken bold enough stand. Mr.. Colqu
houn says they must depart from thei
old-time policies of conservatism, or the!
will see China a carcass" In the talon
of cultures"