The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-14
Circulation Statement.



Owing to circumstances which we will
not discuss too critically on this occasion,
our position as first-class power in China
is nothing to be proud of. 1t might be dit
ferent. if there had beer any element OF
truth in the Administration statement OF
six weeks or two months ago, that the re-
bellion in the Philippines was thoroughly
suppressed, and that Otis had been called
home only because his work was finished.
II that were really so, force OF troops
from Luzcn could have been spared in
time. sufficient in numbers, perhaps to
save the American Minister. his family and
guests, and his marine guards from mas
sacre. Two or three thousand American
veterans, added to the weak column OF
Admiral Seymour, possibly might have
made his force strong enough to rescue
the foreigners in the capital and bring
them safely back to Tientsin. But it was
not to be- When the emergency arose II
became at once evident that the Otis sup
preston had not been effective, and that
General Macarthur did not dare to weaken
his strength, even to the extent Of one full
brigade.
The result Is that, while our interests
In China are second only to those of Great
Britain. and possibly OF Russia, We have
bu. a beggarly military representation in
tie Aeld. and one which makes our Of
ficers subordinate to the officers Of all. or
nearly all, the powers interested. At pres
ent our marines who are fighting in T1en-
ts;n, like the doomed men OF Leonidas at
Thermopylae. are commanded by major.
Our highest naval officer in Chinese waters
is a rear admiral and in any large oper-
atoms on land or sea our commanders will
be ranked by those of England, Russia,
Japan, France, Portugal, and Spain
While We cut but poor figure from
military point of view. and have SHOWN
ourselves laggard and Indifferent IN the
presence OF a great world crisis. we have
dcrc little better in the direction oil Dip
iomacy The United States has happily
taken the initiative in defining the reason
able interests Of civilization in the future
of China Our State Department has noti-
ned the world that this country, while
willing to assist in restoring order and
Furnishing the shocking crime at Pekin,
does not seek territory and considers 1t
necessary to fu:.ire international peace
that Chinese territory should not be taken
by any of the States involved by way OF
indemnity Germany. England. Russia. and
France have all expressed their agree
meut with this policy, and no doubt will
help us to make it effective.
1t is nevertheless true that. if we are
to have an important ultimate voice in
the settlement, it behooyes us to make
q better show Of force than We have SO
far. or than We have reason to believe the
Administration intends. A mere brigade,
under brigadier general, is not COM
mensurate with our dignity or our inter-
estE. II We leave those interests. except
nominally. to the military protection OF
England, Russia, and Japan, We need not
expect those States. or the others. to give
much weight to our open door claims
when peace is restored. Nations secure
their rights in the degree that they are
able to fight for. protect. and enforce
them.
We do not forget the fact that Mr.. Nc
KInley and the Republican party would
greatly like to dodge this Chinese issue.
The Administration realizes at last that
its cynical Indifference TO the fate of our
Minister in Pekin, and the American
guards women, children. and mission
aries. penned up in that slaughterhouse.
has created bad impression throughout
the country. 1t would like. if it dared.
to bury the whole subject. but, of course.
that is out of the question. 1t will try to
temporize with the situation as it always
does, and let somebody else do most Of
the fighting. If that be possible. What are
Ministers, women. and children, guards
and missionaries. tortured and massacred
IN the capital Of China, compared with
the exigencies, comforts. and possible re- |
wards of a domestic political campaign I,
conducted from the front porch in Can |
tom Ominous Chinese name that, Not .
SO far removed in sentiment perhaps. as
IL might be. from the other Chinese town ,
of Pekin where with heliish atrocity the I
representatives of this country. and their .
wives and babies. were being slowly done .
to death, while the Republican candidate, /
who had forgotten them, was talking pros /
perity. the suppression of the Constitution :
in Porto Rico, the Hanna ship subsidy /
steal. and the blessedness of trusts 10 his |
Ohio neighbors.