Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-07-07
THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY

There 10 now but little room for
doubt as to the situation IA China. The
rumors Of the murder Of the foreigners
at Pekin have been confirmed by as IT
seems, reliable dispatches. And the
fanaticism appears TO be spreading over
the northern provinces, as IRE In dry
prairie grass. The fury OF the mob,
not satisfied with the blood Of the
foreigners, is raging against the native
Christians, too, and thousands are
probably slain.
Those familiar with Chinese condl-
lions state that the anti-foreign senu-
ment In Pekln has never been extinct
among the masses Of the people. That
the ministers and other residents were
not murdered long ago, was due to the
fear inspired by the government, and
the rigid vigilance OF the Tsung-Li-
Yamen. or the foreign board II this
Is so, the massacre Is accounted for by
the overthrow Of the government and
the ascendance to power Of the fanatic
Tuan, who a short time ago, was made
the president Of the Tsung-Li-Yamen.
The coup d'etat, that seems 70 have
taken place, was the signal 10 the mob
TO unsheathe their murderous knives.
They would have done so long ago, but
for fear Of the severest punishment by
their own government.
The awful occurrence Is rendered II
possible. sull more lamentable by the
fact that as near as can be Judged from
the dispatches, Japan was In a posi-
ton 10 render relief. The Victims held
the assasslns at bay FOR eighteen days
This is believed to have been ample
time for a sufficient army TO reach
Pekin from Japan. but the Toxic gov
eminent seems to have offered TO go to
the rescue only on certain conditions
which the Jealousy Of the other powers
would not permit them to accept. While
the diplomats, anxious lest one power
should obtain an advantage over anoth-
er were clubbing about the meaning
OF terms. such as Joint" and con
current" action, time was lost and the
crime OF the century accomplished. In
the entire history Of the civilized world
there Is not another instance OF the
automatic corps thus being abandoned
by the powers to It's own fate
But even when this is conceded the
fact remains that the crime committed
by the Chinese demands summary pun
ishment There can be no hesitation
now. Germany has given the key note
Ia the concert The flags Of the Ocoi-
dent must supplant the ensign OF the
dragon on the walls Of Pelin, and
terms OF peace must be dictated when
the people Frustrated ana humili-
ated realize the enormity Of the out
rage committed.
Unfortunately the United States can
not assume an attitude Of inactivity
in this crisis. Though we are in no
way interested in the grabbing
schemes Of other powers. we are in
duty bound to maintain the honor Of
the flag, and protect the lives Of our
citizens. Even II II were compatible
with our national dignity TO give up the
open door policy. for the sake OF
avoiding imperialism" and "entang-
ling alliances" no consideration would
Justify us In passing by the murder OF
our representatives TO foreign coun-
try. In the present case American
men. women and children have been
massacred, and probably tortured at
Pekln. In the very shadow Of the Inn
perlal palace, where they should have
found shelter and protection against the
mob That is an act TO be tolerated
only by a coward or a weakling.
The massacre can mean but one thing
the destruction Of the Chinese en-
pire. The crisis is at hand. Probably
good will come as a result Of the evil
for over all rules the Supreme Power
which shapes the destiny OF the world
IN accordance with its own plans and
purposes.