The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-07-18
DR. REID ON CHINA.

Of tie International institute OF
China, located at peklD, has 81: article
in the May nGmoer OF ;he North
American Review entitled The Pow
e,s aud the Partition OF China, I"
which is rendered more interesting
by very recent events occcning
since the article was written Dr.
Reid in his work for the institute has
come ir contact with Influential aud
thinking men of other countries.
especially with those Gaos: deeply
interested IN and responsible for the
relations existing between China end
the rest of the world-ministers Ct
foreign countries chiefly.
Dr. Reid does not attempt to give
authorized statements of the views
of the ministers of their countries,
but only the impressions gathered by
him, with his grounds for his belief
He takes the pations up in order and
discusses the attitude of each
Great Britain was for long time
in favor of the integrity OF China,
because it predominated the country
commercially. Of late it has become
much concerned about "maintaining
British influence )" it has abandoned
the "open door" policy for "spheres
of influence" Great Britain would
prefer to see China remain intact, but
seeing her owo predominence threat
ened, is making eforte to get strong
foothold in the rich Yang.Tse valley.
China's wishes and rights are entirely
ignored The only question is, what
is best for Great Britain. Lord
Charles Beresford upon his return
from his recent tour of commercial
Investigations in China recommends
one of two propositions either 10
train the Chinese troops for the pro-
lection of the Yang-Tse valley OF
else to organize an alliance with the
United States, Germany and Japan
as against Russia and France
Dr. Reid thinks Russia is much
misjudged that they really have
much stronger feeling for the Chinese
than for the Germans aud English.
Russia has not taken possession of
Manchuria province, which still pays
it's taxes to China Russia really
inserferes less in the internal affairs
of China than sny other nation. The
building of the great Siberian rail
road b on Ruesia euch immense
advant ,es that the jealousy of other
countries has been aroused, and they
think she will try to acquire large
share of China DR. Reid says that
while Russia would like to exercise
dominant influence il: China, as other
nations do, she would much prefer
that the empire should remain iDtact,
but since dismembermept is "in the
air. she is strengthening her situa-
ton 80 as to be able to take posses
sion of Manchuria and Mongolia and
the city of Pekin whenever the scram
bic comes This 20 doubt accounts
for what is regarded as Russias sell
fish policy since the recent troubles
began
frances interest in China is mis-
sionary more tbaa commercial She
has all Catholic missions under her
protection. France does not enter
largely into the question Of dlsmem-
berment aud only because of be7
sympathy with Russia on account of
financial obligations.
The murder of two missionaries In
the province OF ShantuDg two years
ago gave Germany the occasion Of
acquiring large influence in that ter
ri,ory, together with the important
port of Kiao Chow.
Japan, though lately at war with
China, would not naturally op
pose cismemoerment Being so
much in the same condition as China
she would herself eventually suffer
the same STAKE
Mr.. Reid belie7es that America
would prefer to see China remain ia
tact, hut that if dismembermept
takes place the United States will
have 10 BE consulted with--which
means she would demand a share.
He says, what we all know, that the
average American has very little re
spect for the Chinese az race This
is shown in our excluding them from
this country
DR.. Ried closes his article as fol
lows:
"Tbus through mutual jealousiee
of the nations, China may be held to,
gether. All seek their own interests
first, from what some would term
patriotic motives, and yet this very