The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-20
POSSIBILITY OF WAR WITH CHINA,

POSSIBILITY OF WAR WITH CHINA.
1t is not an thing that the
performance of duty involves the assump-
danger. Our present action in China does
both. AS to the duty of the United States
to protect its citizens in China there can
not be two opinions. In most countries Ii
would hold the government responsible for
the protection of Americans temporarily
living there, and If they were murdered or
injured would demand and enforce repara-
ton. But the Chinese government is not
amenable to civilized rules. Besides, il is
evidently in sy mpathy with the Boxers.
If not encouraging and aiding them. In
these circumstances there is nothing for
other governments to do but to act without
reference to the Chinese government and
protect their own citizens. Not to do so
would be to repudiate one of the highest
duties Of government. Even If this reason
were not conclusive the material interests
of the United States in the East would
require this government TO join with others
In performing a duty which the Chinese
government Is unable or unwilling TO per-
power would not stand a minute IL we
stood back and declined to assist other
powers In protecting all foreigners, includ-
ing our own citizens. If we were to do that
there would be for us no more open door
in china no more claim to share in the
trade of the Orient, no more domination
in the Pacific. Other powers would say
that, having declined to assume our share
of u grave responsibility and to assist in
the pacincation of China. thereby taking
not come to the front In time Of peace and
claim a share in results which we had no
hand in bringing about. Plainly, therefore,
IL is the imperative duty of the United
States to cooperate heartily and as eff
fectively as possible with other powers in
protecting foreigners in china The Presi-
dent and the administrator have done
right In assuming the responsibility of
prompt and vigorous action in the matter,
and the country will fully sustain them.
~ 1cAtot Inns oCtfO4A may AiNOiNt ID
impossible to foresee at present. 1t GER
tainly involves the possibility of a war be-
tween the western powers and China, or,
as a London dispatch puts it. between East
crn and Western civilization. This is by no
means a certainty, but il is a possibility.
present outbreak may prove. like many
others that lave occurred in China. of
short duration. When the Chinese govern
ment comes face to face with the possibility
Of war with the powers now actirg to-
policy that will avert a general war. though
it cannot escape responsibility for acts al
ready done. But hatred of foreigners ana
the proverbial vanity and stubbornness of
the Chinese may lead the government to
take up the cause of the Boxers and thus
precipitate the long-predicted and much
talked-of war between Eastern and West
ern civilization. Such a war might prove
to be one of the greatest in the worlds his
tory. The Chinese are not homogeneou
nor patriotic as we understand patriotism.
Their government is weak and corrupt and
their military forces u~norganized. But they
embrace nearly one-third of the population
of the earth. more than all of Europe COM
bincd. and IL once reused their mere inertia
would be an element of almost irresistible
strength A people that ave preserved
their national integrity for six thousand
years, growing stronger and more compact
all the time. surviving all changes and all
revolutions. must possess extraordinary
racial forces. Once reused in a war be-
lieved to be for self-preservation these
forces might prove tremendous. In such a
conflict. involving as its logical result the
ACKNOWLEDGMENT and partition of China. 1t
is doubtful If either Japan or Russia would
side with the Western powers. The former
is wholly Oriental, and the sympathies and
interests of the latter are so largely so that
it Is very doubtful if she would take part
ir a war that looked to the partition of
China The United States should not be
drawn into such a war If it can possibly
avoid 1t with honor, but ii must not sh.rk
the present duty because 1t involves the
possibility of SUCH an event.