Evening star., 1900-09-19
Unity First. Policy second.

Germany's present proposals as 10 Chiifi
are in exact opposition to the Russian plan
of Withdrawing troops from Pekin pencing
=. settlement OF the Chinese problem. They
are at the same time n modification or EN-
peror Williams first bloody policy of retr.-
button although they propose the punish
ment-in other words. the eyecut!nn-of the
most notorious of the leaders in the recent
anti-fore.gn agitation. Chancellor Won Bue-
low couches the plan in sufficiently moder-
ate terms to warrant its respectful consid-
grafton by all the powers.
There is no doubt that a widespread feel
ing prevails that those responsible Tor the
murders and o9trsges recently committed
in China against the foreigners should be
punished. But this feeling IS. in the minds
of the profounder thinkers upon the Chi
nese problem, subordinate To the broader
purpose to secure such a reorganization OF
Chinese affairs as will afford an effective
guarantee that similar disorders will not
recur.
Thus the ultimate aim OF the conservative
powers is to so adjust the Chinese organi-
zation, by negotiations and reforms effected
under pressure, that not only will the mis-
creants who prec-pitated the late riots be
adequately punished hut will be set
straight on the road of secure good gov
ernment under q responsible head. her In
tegrity preserved. her better elements gwen
sway.
1t may be well II the powers in following
the punitive policy laid down by Germany
shall withhold the implied pledge to alb
stain from negotiations until the leading
evil-doers have beer punished until there
is a consensus OF opinion as to the identity
of the guilty. and understanding as to
the full significance of this pledge. 1t is
sued to the limit there may not remain
should the indicted personages be appre-
hended and executed by the internatonals
any semblance OF authority with which to
negotiate
1t is useless to deny that even though
China's ruler Is theoretically the Emperor
kwang Su her actual rulers are the en-
press dowager and the Prince Tuan. The
emperor is yet puppet. held in durance by
the fugitive usurpers.
As far as can be seen their wishes are
obeyed. not only because they have access
to the imperial machinery and control over
the emperor's mind and person, but because
they are recognized by large masses Of
Chinese and by most of the viceroys as
the actual leaders OF the nation.
If the empress doWager and Prince Tuan
We're indicated by the legations at Pekin as
would necessarily be preceded by negotia-
tions with some other persons recognized as
the government of China, who would be
sustained by the powers in opposition to
the government of the empress dowager
and Tuan. The latter. of course, would not
be expected to surrender themselves for
punishment as malefactors, as a prelimi-
nary OF negotiations with themselves as
the Chinese government. If the legations
should not po-nt TO the empress dowageF
az guilty and responsible party, the mat
ter of punishment could without embarrass-
ment form one of the subjects of negot a
ton with the existing government of China
The first requisite is accurate identification
of the cuiprits and agreement upon this
point by the powers. The course of pro-
ctdure. 1t would seem, is to assent to the
German proposition that adequate punish
ments must be inflicted, to secure at once
from the diplomatic representatives at Pc
KIN the names of the Chinese officials
upon whom responsibility for the outrages
rests, and then. upon this showing to de-
termine upon the international policy as to
both punishment and reorganization and as
to the relation of punishment in point of
time to negotiations with those who are
to be recognized as cons tituting the Chinese
government
The most important object in view is not
so much this that method of ACCOMPLISH
ing an end as harmony between the powers.
Ihe greatest gains for civilizng China will
be assured by unity of action, whatever the
course determined upon by the nations. The
United States laid down this doctrine in its
reply to the Russian proposal to evacuate
Pekin. 1t will presumably reply in similar
vein to Germany. Interna tional co-opera-
ton Is first to be sought, Irrespective of the
precise methods to be employed In securing
both the punishment of the leading anti
foreign agitators and the rehabilitation or
China upon the basis of stable. Responsible
government
There Is one thing that can ALWAYS he
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