The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-17
Jol,n RulI in lac china shop.


few days ago everything was peace
and pleasantness in Pekin. The ministers
we're all agreed upon a final and positive
IL last farewell protocol, the Chinese en-
voys were reported as willing TO accept
the terms proposed in the document. and
nothing important remained 70 be done
hut to await British instructions 10 Sir
Ernest Satew to sign. But Lord Salisbury,
just at the point where it was thought be
would do the expected. did the other thing.
and like me elder Mr. Weller. objected to
HE expression =circumscribed' IN the
agreement and eabIed that ''circumvented''
would be a better word. In short the no
bic marquis, who has been IN hurry VIXEN
ether people we're dilatory, has suddenly
decided that he wants time to look around
Accordingly he finds fault with the phras-
eology Of the protocol, II matters not spe-
-cially vital. but in way which viii ne
cessiIate correspondence, fresh instrue-
lions on all hands. and probably weeks Of
delay al best.
Perhaps &c DO not dc the British Pre-
mier an injustice in suspecting that he is
not SO particular about minor details OF
the Chinese settlement IS he is rot TO
permit any settlement at present, while he
IS again uneomfcrtably preoccupied in
South Africa. The preliminaries at Pekin
once agreed to by the Powers and China.
questions would be apt 70 spring up in re-
gard to occupation, indemnity guarantees,
revenue, and administration which Great
Britain would not care to meet with hands
tied as they are at present. Moreover, it
is possible that Lord Salisbury may think
he holds card or two TO play for or
against America in the Far East, and de-
sires to hold tasm pending the Hay
Pauncefote issue. In any case. he is the
cbstrncting element in the Chinese situa-
tion today, and IS as likely as not TO be-
come more so before the end of things
The latest attitude and tendencies of the
British Government toward matters In
which this country is deeply concerned
would seem 10 justify an inference that
the Mckinley Salisbury secret alliance
has received a severe jolt. Not that we
suppose the personal relations OF the
High Contracting Parties have undergone
any change for Tie worse; but that, po-
Iticaily speaking, they find that their
careful work of four years has been rem
dered futile by the temper of our Senate,
and the Irresistible force Of American
public sentiment
Recognizing these facts, ii naturally oc-
ours to both OF the allied Foreign Offices
that the project to give Great Britain
control Of the proposed American inter-
oceanic, canal. &c cut the throat OF the
Monroe Doctrine. and to divide the coast
and interior OF Alaska with Canada, is
liabis to go by the board. Therefore,
with mutual respect and affection surviy-
ing in an undiminjshedz degree, the part
nership is practically of far the time be-
ing, because OF the american partners in
abilits, to furnish an agreed Part OF the
firm capital
Even at the price Of some annoyance in
China. and Of a possible necessity for ex-
peEing by force the Canadian squatters
now occupying The American Poreupine
district in Alaska, tho people Of this
country would be glad If these differences
we're sufficiently serious to break the Sc
cret entente seen lately to subsist be-
tween the administration and the British
siinistry. II the United States ought to
avoid entaagiiag alliances with Eurcpeau
states, Of defined and Acknowledged
character, much mere should cur Cav
ernmeHt resent and Hsnish anY atlemns or
sic part OF is executive branch 10 estas-