New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-25
PLAIN WORDS ABOUT CHIEA.

PLAIN WORDS ABOUT CHIEA
After the diplomat the warrior On Wcdnes
day evening Mr.. WI. the Chinese Minister
discussed for us from his point of view the re-
lations between lis country and ours. and his
words were eliminating and inspiring on
Thursday evening Lord Charles BeresfOrd. one
Of the ablest men IN the British Navy, dis
cussed for us the relations between China and
all the commercial nations Of the world. and
his words as was to be expected Of those Of
man Of action were full of nervous energy
and of warm red blood. At this rate 1t will he
our own fault if we do not gain a particularly
perfect understanding Of what. for better
term. we may call the Chinese question. In
deed these two addresses form in themselves
q cycOp9dia stateSman'S handbook and sys-
TEN of political economy upon that subject.
Lord Charles Beresford puts the matter TO
Us as directly and as cOnvincngly rs he put
the COndors CannOn-balls into The rebel forts
al Alexandria. China if left 10 herself Is 60
ing to smash Her antiquated revenue sys-
TEN is insufficient for her present needs. Her
primitive army is not able 10 suppress rebellion.
Moreover, at least one European Power IS actu-
ally promoting the threatened smash. Now
there lies before all the commercial Powers in
tcrestcd in China this choice, To let the smash
come or to prevent IT, Lord Charles thinks It
Will he to their interest 10 prevent it; in which
he is doubtless right Should the smash come
the empire would be partitoned. and some
Powers would get parts Of it. and some would
he crowded out altogether. The latter would
he shut out of Chinese commerce. and the
former would be restricted 10 commerce in
their own spheres of influence. and would.
moreover be subject to endless friction and
chickering's among themselves Vastly better
would il ne 10 avert the smash. keep the Chi
nese Empire intact and give MI nations a free
and equal chance 10 trade with II according 10
their commercial capacities.
But how is that To be done? Lord Charles
points out the way. First let the nations come
to commercial agreement. not an alliance
but an agreement. TO maintain the open door
That means that no nation will try TO shut the
Chinese door against tho others. Next, make
the room beyond the door worth entering. That
Is TO he done by helping China to reform her
system Of government. 10 mike her taxation
honest and equitable and her revenue adc-
duate TO her needs Nor is that impossible
There IS good ground on which 10 build. Notc
that Lord Charles exactly echoes Mr.. WIS
patriotic declaration that there are plenty Of
honest men In China II have nothing but
good words to say for them" he says. But
Just rs the gods strive In vain against folly. 50
the best men in the world can do little good
with n hopelesSv bad system The need is
that the nations should confess themselves
their brothers keeper. and instead Of gloatlnG
over China like buzzards over some dying beast
should lend 10 China their knowledge and
strength 10 keep that empire alive and mako
II prosperous. The Chinese are we'll able to
keep their empire going II they receive only
The aid and encouragement every humane ma
ton owes 10 its neighbOr.
Nor IS This work to he done for China with
out recompense. The nations that do il will
have their reward. Their commerce in China
intact will be vastly more valuable than in
China smashed 10 pieces. In return for their
aid China Will let them come IN and build rail
roads and open mines and develop her re-
sources in all Of which there Will he great
profit for them. That is the Quid pro quo.
Those who keep the door open will have the
right 10 enter through that door. II Is inter
esting TO observe Lord Charess notion Of
An open door. 1t is not as our domestic
Cobdenuncules vanly pretend. Free Trade
Questions Of tariff are the nations own af.
fairs No nation can teach another" And
so China may maintain n tariff, and yet
the door will be kept open. Indeed, Lord
Charles explicitly declares that China does not
get az good-that is, as high-a tariff as she
ought 10 get. He would have her Increase her
tariff rates. and he declares that would not in
the least interfere with the policy Of the open
door
What IL most 70 the point for Us in Lord
Charles Beresford's earnest address. rs well
IN Mr.. Wus. is the demonstration Of our Ma
tiona interest in the Chinese question. II Is
not Jingosm. There are no entanglins ALI
nnces IN It. II Is merely a humane desire to
promote the general welfare Of the world, and
q shrewd desre-which is not in the least in
congruous with the other-to promote our own
commercial welfare. Let us read again some
of Lord Charless ringing words. He is speak
ing of both Great Britain and the United States