Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-28
OUR OWN NAPOLEON.

OUR OWN NAPOLEON.
The dispatches of Sunday revealed a
distinct. If not entirely new, phase of
the Chinese question. and one of alb
sorbing interest for Americans. 1t
was made tolerably plain by both
Washington and London advices that
the United States and England have
reached u definite Understanding as to
n line OF policy 10 be pursued in common
oy INC hto countries. while 1t is more
than limited that Japan is willing TO
be member of tripartite alliance
having for its object the dominat ton
of the situation in the far East Com
ing. as this does, Immediately upon
the heels Of Russia's declaration that
the Empress Dowager must not be de-
posed, 1t is not at all difficult to con-
lecture at whom this move of Eng
land, America and possibly Japan, is
aimed. The inevitable clash of con-
hicting purposes and interests is Wis
bly, nearer than at any time since the
Boer troubles began.
Coinc!dent with the announcement
that Ambassador Choate has had
satisfactory conference with Sails
bury on the Chinese situation, and has
communicated the results to the State
Department. is the manifestation of
increased energy in hurrying troops
from Manila to China, and the semi
inspired declaration that strenuous
efforts are being made to put the
country on a war footing and to have
the whole army and navy in a condi-
ton ito give a good account of them
selves
These things are capable OF but one
interpretation-the Administration has
determined to throw off its DISCUSSES
and to project the United States into
the Chinese question, forcibly IL neces-
sary, and is preparing for any emer-
gency that may result from this open
extension of the policy of Imperialism
to China. These martial preparations,
offensive and defensive. are plainly not
aimed at China, any more than is
Russia's preparations to send n new
army corps at Port Arthur. They are
contingent on expected opposition to
the purposes, as yet obscure, of the
Anglo American, or rather of the Nc
Kinley Salisbury understanding and
agreement.
This new condition of affairs makes
it sufficiently clear that the repeated
assertions of a secret alliance with
England are we'll founded. That also
accounts for the apparent nonchalance
of the Salisbury government in the
Of
overthrow of Englands power in the
East. while her available forces are
engaged in the glorious war on the
Beers of the Transvaal and Orange
Free State. Backed by the United
States. she Is in a position to dictate
terms TO any coalition that is possible.
in view of the hostility that exists be-
tween Russia and Japan.
If late developments mean anything,
Hon. William Mckinley seems to have
taken -iake-ef-the cartoeAists-auite-
seriously and Is disposed to play the
part of n Napoleon in dead earnest,
rs far as the circumstances Will per-
NIT. Not content with the arbitrary
power over the Philippines, Cuba and
Porto Rico, which a complainant Con-
Gress has unquestioningly left him,
he is preparing to play the role of
arbiter of the fate of the Monaghan
Empire and to dictate at Pekin terms
to the nation that his illustrious proto-
type so signally failed to overawe at
Moscow. To this end Mr.. Mckinley
usurps the prerogative of the United
States Senate to contract alliances, and
the powers OF the whole Congress 10
declare war. All of this he does on
the pretcXt that he is merely seeking
to protect American lives and property
in China. And yet some guilcless per-
sons arc not able to understand what
Imperialism means.