The Savannah morning news., 1900-06-17
THE SITUATION IN CHINA.

The situation in China is viewed by our
government with the gravest apprehen-
sions. No one can forsee the outcome of
the troubles there. 1t is evident that the
government cannot be depended upon TO
quell the Boxer disturbances. 1t cannot
depend upon its own army. Indeed, it is
not yet certain that the real government
of China is not in sympathy with the
Boxer movement. The troops are all the
while deserving and joining the Boxers.
The lives of all foreigners are in danger.
Some foreigners, particularly mission
aries, have already been murdered. The
Japanese minister has been killed and it
IS reported that the German minister has
met the same fate. 1t is clear that the
fanatical Boxers intend to murder all for
eigners and native Christians, and they
will carry out their intention unless pre-
vented by the forces of foreign govern
ments.
But the foreign governments are not as
! harmonious as they ought to be. At first
it was the understanding that they would
act together in preserving order and re-
storing the situation to what it was be-
fore the Boxers began to commit out
RACES. Now, however, it is said that
Russia is disposed to take sides with the
government of China. That complicates
the situation. Russia wants to dominate
in the affairs OF China. 1t is believed TO
be her purpose to annex the whole of the
northern part of the empire. Japan is
jealous of her influence with the Chinese,
and Is. at the same time. offended at her
efforts TO reap all of the benefits of the
successful war which the former waged
against China a few years ago.
A war between Russia and Japan is
therefore one of the probabilities of the
troubles in China. And in the event of
a war between those nations there may be
| serious trouble between other nations
which have large interests in China.
Neither Great Britain, Germany, France,
| Italy nor the United States intend to yield
any of the privileges which they now en-
joy in China. If they cannot harmonic
their interests they may resort to force
to settle their differences. All of the COM
merciaI nations are looking for new mar
kets. China promises to be great mar
ket. She is, in fact, a great market now
| Dut Her commercial possibilities are just
beginning TO be developed. If a struggle
should be begun by the commercial nations
for her trade it would not end, in all prob
ability, without China's disappearance
from the map as a nation.
Although the United States are keeping
clear of all entangling alliance in con-
nection with Chinas affairs, they may
not be able to adhere to that policy and
at the same time protect their interests
Al any time complications may arise thai
will force them to abandon their indie
pendent position or lose the advantages
they now possess. 1t is apparent, there
fore, that there is enough in the Chinese
situation to cause our government grea
deal of anxiety. If all of the Powers were
| sincere, and were willing to trust eacf
other they would stand aside and le
Japan settle the Boxer trouble She has
the army and navy to do it, and it il
thought, would do it, if permitted, bu
Russia would never consent to anything
OF that kind. Her plans do not contemplate
any increase of Japan's influence in China