The Washington weekly post., 1900-08-21
Shall We Stay in China ?

The presence OF the American army IN
Pekln requires neither explanation nor
excuse. FTom the moment that Minister
COnggr's danger became known 1t was
jbe duty OF the President % hasten al
he available military and naval resources
Of the United States to his rescue Now.
however, that the rescue has been accom-
p.ished. what is 10 be the next sIep?
The question ought to be unnecessary.
II ought 10 ne taken for granted that
ghe American army Is 10 be withdrawn at
once from China, bringing away the Min
Ister and his party and leaving Emperor
William 90 indulge his CORY tastes and
Great Britain 10 crafty her propensity
Tor land-grabbing The United States
wants neither blood nor territory, ari
ought 10 hold aloot from the sorry carni-
val OF spOlIatiOn IN which the European
nations are about TO engage. For this rea-
son We are inclined 10 receive with some
doubt the limitations which are finding
gheir way into inspired organs, that Tie
administration proposes to hold our army
ia Pekin Tor an indefinite period. II il
hardly possible that President Mckinley
ccntemplates a step so foreign to the
sentiment OF the American people, so
greatly at variance with his own declara-
tiOns. 1t is true that "a war for human
ity and with no thought Of conquest"
against Spain did result in the acquisition
Of Porto Rico and a vast archipelago in
The Oriental seas. and in the establish
mert Of q government over the very PEE
pie for whom wc so righteously went to
waT-a government which is still fastened
upon the CUbans-but we cannot believe
that the same influences which led the
President 10 demand from Spain the en-
lire group Of Philippine Islands and every
inch Of territory in the West Indies viii
now be potent in inducing him to seek a
fOOthOld in China
Our participation In Chinese events
mp 20 the present time has been
IN pursuance Of a sacred duty. We have
hreathed no word OF vengeance, We have
harbored no selfish thought. Let us keep
cur record clear.
There is no doubt that some expansion
ists would hail with delight definite an
nouncement that an American army is to
be maintained I'm China. Some interviews
which have already appeared make this
fact plain. Thus We find senator Chand-
Ter insisting that the army shall stay III
Chira; Senator Morgan asserting that
duty calls for its retention: Senator
Thurston arguing why the army should
not be Withdrawn, and Senators Mcmillan
and Pritchard and other echoes of the adj
minlstration chanting the same chorus
On the other hand. Democratic Senators
generally, like Bacon, Daniel, and Money.
want the troops Withdrawn before We be-
come involved in an international war,
while Senator Burrows, who, although a
Republican, has never felt much enthusi-
asm for his party's foreign policy. IS
equally emphatic in suggesting the imne-
date withdrawal of troops ALREADY
therefore, political complexion is being
given 10 the Chinese question, and the
loyal Republicans are preparing TO com
mend the President, no matter what ex-
IRENE he may reach. II seems Ia us. how
''tA' NAdb TIC lIGSlutul ought not 10 De-
Influenced by partisan feeling in this ma
Ter. The United States, as a nation. Is on
trial before the world. We have through
he President uttered lofty sentiments Of
seif-denial and righteous purpose. Let US
be careful that the greed for territory does
not tempt us 10 the abandonment of our
high Ideals and prove US to be made OF
the same clay as our European brother.
The continued presence of the American
army in Pekin VIII make il aImos: impos-
~ible for US TO avoid entanglement in the
broils and frlcticns Of foreign powers.
This. OF all things, must not be allowed TO
happen. The safest way is the best way.
The army should not stay In China mo-
ment after its mission Of rescue IS COM
ulpted