The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-01
An American policy.

| As Americans we like to be leaders
| We hold with great satisfaction the
new principles laid down in the earlier
days OF the republic. We are proud
| OF the Monroe doctrine. not only be-
cause It is a guarantee Of our national
independence Of foreign intermeddling,
but because II is distinctly American.
The feeling is abused. as when dena-
gogues appeal to the people to support
an american" system of finance.
which is as sensible as supporting an
| American multiplication table in oppo-
sItion to the old-fashioned sort. But
| at bottom the instinct is sound and
wholesome And especially so is It
when applied to foreign relations. where
our IDEAS and interests are apt to diff
fer materially from those OF the rest
OF the world.
Icy in dealing with disturbances in
China that should I'll the American
heart with satisfaction and pride. For
we have shown that we can act in
concert with the nations Of Europe for
a common object. vital to us as to them.
ana yet avoid entanglements and hold
ourselves free from the jealousy and
greed that prevail among them.
Through the difficult and dangerous
waters OF the past months the admins
tration has steered the course OF this
country safely and successfully; and
its policy In China In one which the
most vgilant enemy. even in the heat
and animosity OF national campaign,
cannot attack with success. 1t Is
highly American IT satisfies at once
the demand OF our people that national
dignity ana honor be upheld and their
deep moral sense OF the duty of the
United states as leader in preserving
the peace OF the world and restraining
territorial depreciation.
In the first stages OF this trouble. our
course was marked ont clearly. Amer
erywhere and maltreated. They were
compelled 70 fee for their lives and
their property was destroyc3a Our dip
lomatic representatives, with their
families and attendants and a little
band Of refugees, were besieged in Pc
king, with death looking them In the
face. There was but one duty. which
was to rescue these people at all haz-
/ ards and at any cost. So the gov
! eminent did not hesitate 10 cooperate
/ with the other interested parties. to
| Join Its forces 20 theirs. 20 make the
/ relief OF the legations its first consid-
/ Grafton and 10 require their deiwerance
/ "a an ultimatum. None but eheaR souls
ana cowardiy mailgnanss have had a
word Of censure for that.
/ The relief accomplished. the difficulty
/ Of next step presents itself The
/ United states has reiterated upon all
occasions It, desire that the territorial
/ integrity os the Chinese empire be re-
Speeted. The Chinese themselves have
I put the main obstacle ia the way ny
their folly they have invited partition.
as by crime and folly together they
compelled the invasion OF their cOun-
try Authority has disappeared from
the empire The imperial family are
refugees There is no guarantee Of or
der. there Is no one with whom the ma
,ions can deal with assurance tina,
agreements entered into wifi be carried
out Z, Is a chaotic situation. that
brings a puzzled frown TO the brow Of
the slpiomasls, II In playing fairly tn
80 the hands ~ those who will the de-
strnct,on ~ the empire.
Al this moment the United states
takes a definite stand IN favor ~ a pol-
ley that may restore peace ana avert
territorial division. our government,
has acqulesced cordially In the move
suggested by Russia, We VIII unite
with her IN Withdrawing our forcss
from the Chinese capital 20 Tlentsln,
there to await further Developments
This IL "a The hope that the imperial
government VIII return 10 the capital
and resume IS authority. In any even,
1, involves m danger; for the advance
from Tientsin 10 Picking was made once
without serious diiaeulty by a small
force. and could be made again II nee
essary. But the retirement may con-