The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-07
FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER :, 1900.
MR. MckINLEY,s BLUNDER.

we fear Mr.. Mckinley made a. blunder
when he answered the Russian noie Pio-
posing action in respect to emma ids.
MCKINLEY is conscientious man ano
wants To do right we believe, but we ieaf
politics and the pending Presidential elec-@
lion tad more 10 do with the reply ne
save to Russia than a due consideration
for the interests Of this country in the
East The Russian proposition was never
clear from the beginning. 1t was never
clear whether China should be entirely
deserted or whether it was proposed TO
withdraw the military forces from PelSln
to Ten Tsin. Nr. Mckinley ought to
sshaye required that this should be made
perfectly clear before he made any an
swea since the withdrawal of our forces
dron Peidn to Ten Tsin Is one thing,
whilst the evacuation Of China Is quite
another thing. But in any event, Mr..
Mckinley ought to have consulted all the
other Powers Interested before he gave
any answer at all. 1t is all essential 10
the due and orderly solution OF this Chin
ese problem that the entente between the
/ IUStIs5 S.I1ll be itSSSiNtu Niu1 e-AfAI ~
served. we are sure to get solution
Just to all and that viii probably pacity
China. With separate action amongst the
Powers there can be nothing but discoTd
traught with the most tremendous peril
But the Presidential election was on and
The opportunity to meet the cry of inn
perialisrps was 700 tempting Rnd Mr.. Nc.
Kinley accordingly could not help yielding
TO it and has seriously jeopardized the real
interests of our country.
1t ought 10 have been perfectly plain
that disngenuous power, such as Rus.
sia has always shown herself to be, had
her own objects to gain in approaching this
Government and those objects ought to
have been plain enough. The last thing
which Russia wants at this time is the
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the Chinese Empire. She
wants that apple preserved whole until
She is ready to fasten her teeth in 1t;
she can never be ready for that until
her raitroad to the Paca.ic IS completed.
If there should be a ACKNOWLEDGMENT now,
and England, Germany, the United States
and France should install themselves il.
the territory south OF her railroad, her
opportunity Tor making that seizure of
Chinese territory, which she ceutempiates
when her railroad shall be finished, would
be very different from what il would be
sc that same territory Were held and oc-
cupied by the weak and inefficient Chinese
Government. II ought TO have been plain,
therefore. that Rnssia's game was 10 get
everybody out Cd China as soon as pos
s.ble, that the present danger of dismem-
bermcnt might be passed over, and Mr..
Mckinley would probably have seen this
if the Presidential election had not been
on his hands. "a
Lord Salisbury has taken far more of the
statesman 3 view Of the case. He has said,
de: us stay at Pekin until China IS pact-
fled. A stable Government for her is pro-
sided and there has been proper settle
] ment of all pending questions. He knew
Rnssia's Implicitly. and he knew the Chin
ese character. He knew that il the allies
moved out OF Peisin the Chinese would rep
resent it TO their people as an act dictated
by fear. and that all of the good accom-
4si4<oA1ss MOQf0 OS-sS'Sk
and his position was dictated by sound
sense. The allied forces should stay in
Pekin until this whole case is wound up
and scttled. and In that way. and in that
aaone. NH they eyer bring the Chinese
Nation 10 proper appreciation of the
60
Mr.. Mckinley. yoa have made a b,un-
der. and the best thing 10 do when a
blundH Is made Is 10 acknowledge 1, frank
IL and Ye;race the false steps. You should
notify Rnseia iaa. You hare acted has
ssIy. 1.sat you Will not wilhnraw the United
& & states troops from Pekin. except In con
& ocet with All Of the other Powers and
Z: h st,e chooses to nit draw her troops
& IL mi have p do 50 rpon hes own &c
sss and without any assistance or en-
ai.Kx