The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-16
The World Danger in China.

the Chinese situation as 1t has developed
ominously during the past few days.
Whatever may be the events of the imme-
date future, and they promise to be sem
sational, if not appalling, there turks be-
hind the scene the prospect that the tiou-
BILE and bloodshed in sight cannot be c3n-
fined TO struggle on the part Of the civ
ilized powers to restore order in China.
but will spread and end in an international
war
The improbability that all the powers IN
interest can agree upon a common plo-
gramme is illustrated in the attitude of the
various legations at Pekin regarding the
native dynasty, reported just before tee
graphic communication was cut of. Then
it was stated that representatives of Eng
land. Germany, Japan. Italy, and Austria
were in favor of deposing the Empress
Dowager and restoring KwangSu to the
throne with guaranty of Eniop an assist
ance to maintain himself in power; but that
the Ministers of Russia AID France insisted
that the young Enpeior should not b. re n
stated, while the Empress Dowager should
under joint European control.
There are good grounds for the concur
sion that there is an understanding be-
tween st. Petersburg and Paris in relation
TO the policy and programme of the tro
Governments in China. The French Minis
Ter of Foreign Affairs has limited as mueh
in aesiatement that as France has no par
ticular political interest in northern Gina,
she will follow the lead OF the Gar in the
belief that such course will best promote
peace. What really is meant, no doubt, is
that Russia and France have determined to
stand together against any effo:t by t-e
other nations to put the pro-Wes:e. lib
erals under kwangSu in power again at
Pekin, inasmuch as they are favorable 20
the British influence, and that, in turn, is
on the side of Japan in its struggle agai st
Russia. The alternative proposition Is
hardly to be considered as practicable. Thu
terms upon which Russia and France would
be wiling to join with England ard TIE
Others IL a scheme of joint control al d
administration would be sure TO prove tn
acceptable especially TO Japan There
would surely be demand for the dalimita-
ton Of spheres of influence and areas II
individual occupation that the British Gov
eminent would resist and the island En-
.pire bitterly resent Sooner or later, the
conditions prevalent promise to bring the
situation to an impasse, only TO be over
come by war.
Just for the moment, it is possible that
the deadly peril 10 which all civilized peo-
pie are exposed in China may prevent an
armed collision between the hostile foreign
elements, but even that possibility might
be swept away by the occupation of Pekin
in force by Russia. should such a step
be taken, the chances are that Japan
would throw off the mask and march her
army into Korea and Pe-Chi-Li without an
instant's delay. War would follow at once,
and, as things look today, it would almost
certainly involve England and France and
perhaps Germany, Austria, and Italy. The
United States, too, might be compelled TO
share in the proceedings, or expect to
have the open door" slammed in its face
In the ultimate peace settlement.
Nothing could be palmer than that the
Teu;oBic family of natione-Germany,
Great Britain. and the United States-can-
not afford to view the possible Russian
izing of China or even of northern China,
without uneasness, If not alarm. This is
by no means only because, thereby, all but
Russian trade and enterprise might be ex-
ciuded from the regions affected. There
&c in hat ni,,hf
result from turning horde of Cinnamon
into soldiers under Russian or Russian
trained officers. II has been satisfactorily
proven in many ways that the Chinese
when properly drilled and led, are as good
troops as any European army can produce.
That being true. it is easy to conceive
what an irresistible force could be built
UP in twenty years or go by the application
OF Russian Methods force which might
readily overrun all Asia, drive England out
of India. and shortly make the whole con-
tinent part of the Muscovite Empire.
When political and sociological thinkers
talk about the future struggle between
the Slav and the Anglo-Saxon for the
dominion of the world, they only discern
half the truth of the crux which is coming
for Western civilization. Russia is at
bottom more Oriental. more Asiatic, than |
Slav. whatever may be the strength and
importance of the Slavic element in Eu-
ropean Russia. The power and ability OF
the Russian Government TO assimilate and |
utilize for its purposes The populations of |
annexed or conquered Asiatic States is |
only equaled by the power Of the Ameri |
can people to impose their language and |
customs upon immigrants from all other |
countries. The Russian capacity for po- |
liiical and military assimilation, to which |
We have referred. amounts to genius. and. |
In view of the Asiatic awakening which be- |
gins to make itself felt after racial sleep |
Of many ages, amounts also TO a menace
10 the remainder Of mankind The middle !
Of the twentieth century may ind 1tsiia
awake and across the Danube again, and
China, Persia, and India marching In his
train.
The Teutonic nations have differences
among themselves, but they are unimpor-
tant compared with the common stake
they have In the future. race bund
Of the British, German. and
Governments and peoples, would