The sun., 1900-08-12
EUROPE is MORE HOPEFUL.
BELIEVkS THE WARNING 70 PFKIv
GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN EFYECrIvy.
Early Collapse Of Chinese Resistance WsulA
Not Re ssrprisins-Good sign In the Easv
Agreement OF the Powers ON . German
Chief = British Policy II
the Yang.tss Valley and Our Attituda.
Spsefa. Cane Dsspaieh to THE SUN.

Spsefa Cane Dsspaeh to THE SUN
LONDON, Aug. ii.-There Is no tendencv
to beunduly sanRuine over tho Chinese situs-
ton. but the European peoples and Govern
ments are beginning to give some credencs
to the reports that resistance 10 the Powers
may soon collapse. II is recognized that a,
all events each fresh aggression of the allied
forces seems to diminish the strength Of the
Chinese opposition and their bellicose spirit
This alone is sufficient vindication OF the for
ward policy Of the allies and threats to sac.
rifice the legations unless the invasion is absn-
doned no longer seriously alarm the European
Powers. II IL believed that the Pekin authori.
Ties are now duly impressed with the wal ming
that any harm hereafter inflicted upon the
foreigners will be met with the infiction Of the
severest personal penalties. This Is something
which appeals even to themost fanatical Orr.
entail and the successes already Ga ned by tho
allies are sufficient indication of their powss
to execute the threat.
No one has clear idea OF what authority
Is really In control al Pekin. but it makes uttle
difference II fear Of reprisals or any Other
motive Is sufficient 10 protect .the legations
until their rescue Is complete. The best sigu
OF all Is the prospective easy agreement Of the
Powers upon a German commander-in-chief.
Count Won Waldersee. II sgnaizes harmony
In the Western world Sufficient to deprive China
OF any possible advantage during the military
portion Of the crisis and this so far as China
Is concerned means that her case IL absolutely
hopeless The Pekin authorities, whoever
they may be, cannot fail to be duly impressed
with this fact.
The attitude Of France Il dramatically inter-
esting. Fiyeyears ago the idea OF such intimate
mill tary cooperation with the conqueror of 1870
would have been absurd. There has been a GER
tain amount OF angry comment In Paris over the
proposal, but nothing approaching . general
popular protest has been observed The Wal
deck Rousseau Government finds itself In diffi-
cult position, because It will be denounced by
Its opponents whatever 1t does; but there Is
little doubt that II will acQuiesce In one form or
another, and the country will accept the sita-
alton with good grace.
Much surprise Is expressed by the Foreisu
ONCE here al the pother caused by Admiral
Seymour little deal with the Yans-tse vioeroy.
and the disposition is to charge the grumblers
with rank ingratitude. According TO
dispatches to some Of the London nswspapers.
the grumblers include people In Washington.
II Is even suggested that the State Department
Is not altogether satisfied with Englands action.
but such a suggestion Ia secuted here as II.
credible. because Secretary Hay must have
known through Ambassador Choats what was
coming and he gave not the slightest hint Of q
disagreement. II there Is ono idea moro firmly
rooted In the British oficial mind than any other,
II is that British and American intArests In
China are Identical. Consequently, he aston
Is 70 be Identical
1t 10 explained that the British action In
Shanghai q purely precautionary. Whatever
may happen elsewhere England 4 dstermined
to keep the YanE-tss valley open to the worlds
trade. n this can be done by ths maintsnsnos
OF Chinese authority unimpaired. 20 much
the better; II not, British authority win step
into the breach. That 1t b urged. b Q per-
fecty simple and Straightforward policy.
II It is not good enough for tho Washingtsn
statesmen they are quito At liberty TO asosr-
tain what they can get elsewhere. bearing IN
mind always that England Is perfectly prepared
to fight for her own hand in the Yans-tse valley.
The foregoing statement may BE- accepted a.
a semi-oficial exposition Of the British policy
on part at least Of the tangled Chinese question.
Doubtless British action In other respects will
depend on circumstances. and the same may
be said Of most Of the others Powers. But
British statesmen appear to b resigned to
the prospect OF Germany and Russia demand
Ing and obtaining territorial compensation
one for the murder Of its Minister, and ths
other for wanton aggression on the Siberian
frontier