The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-31
The Chinese Revolution.

The Chinese Revolution.
The critical situation in China is what
might have been expected from the
character and temper OF her people,
wrought upon by recent events. It is,
in erect, a popular revolution against
the influence and domination OF foreign
powers within the empire. The spirit
that directs the attacks of the BOX
ers' on foreigners and foreign interests
everywhere is the spirit OF unchanged
and Interchangeable China. 1t Is the
genius Of the race that walled itself in
for centuries; that opened Its ports only
at the lannon's command; that regards
the allen and all his works as allied
with the devil. and unites in opposition
to him the hatred Of race with the
fanaticism OF religious ideas and ma
tional traditions OF immemorial an
tiquity.
The Chinese government has been
helpless before the Entertainments Of
foreign powers. The success Of Japan
left It dazed and covering. 1t had lost
confidence in itself. Intelligent men
among those in power saw the hopeless
ness OF resistance, the inevitable pass
ing Of national isolation. They were
content to make what terms they might
to secure the empire itself from crush
ing into mere mummy dust under the
pressure OF civilization on every side
But in their hearts was hot wrath and
humiliation. For at bottom coolie and
mandarin are one. And although the
understand possible consequences bet
ter than the populace may be to put
down the disturbance quickly and forci-
bly,. 1t Is perfectly easy to understand
why their troops desert to the Boxers
instead OF fighting them.
The secret society which appears 70
be the source of the outbreak Is only
a representative of the Chinese method
Of accomplishing things These asso-
Citations have a peculiar fascination for
the Chinese mind. and most Of the trou-
bles of the empire. as we'll as OF au-
thorities In this country who ATTEMPT
to enforce law and order amongst the
Chinese. have been with these oath
bound organizations to which their
members yield an obedience and a loy
atty superior to that which they give 10
the state. 1t has been convenient
way OF organizing what we might call
the 'Know-nothing" sentiment OF Chi.
ma: a passion that has swept awav al,
restraints in its determlnat ton to be rid
Of the despised and execrated foreigner.
The Chinese does not accept his des-
tiny tamely. not only because IL is dis
agreeable but because he does not I'M
| derstand II. To him the outIander is a
totally inferior being Temporarily this
invader may win some advantage by
the exercise Of malefic powers and by
| Chinese shortcomings: but probably the
! orthodox Chinese believes as implicitly
| that he viii be driven out ultimately
as the American Indian once believed
! that the Great Spirit would eventually
sweep the pale-faces back into the sea
across which they came It Is against
minds 80 constituted. minds made prac-
tically incapable Of entertaining new
impressions by the oramplng and stag
nation Of thousands OF wears. that the
| practical facts Of the situation beat IN
| vain for entrance.
1t is probable that the actual disap-
pearance OF the Chinese empire will suc-
coed Its virtual control by European
authorities and influences, The status
which has existed these ever since the
spheres OF influence" were established
| presupposes a submissive and acouies-
cent people. That the Chinese can be.
! come only after thorough conviction OF
the inevitable, and Of the supremacy
OF the power above them The mass CT
the nation has not yet reached this
stage. Through the millions OF these
inconcelvably ignorant yet intensely
proud people has run the secret word
! that they and their country are ylrtu-