Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-20
4 Significant Difference.

Chinese situation. and shows the strik-
ing difference between the attitude of
the Old World empire and the New
World republic.
In his speech to the German marines
departing for China. Emperor William
told them their mission was one of VEN
geance. Monday of this week lead
ing German newspaper, the Gazette"
Of Cologne, took up the theme and en-
larged upon it. ''All Western civiliza-
ton must now arm for vengeance" it
said. 1.-The Chinese must be treated as
cannibals, and Pekin razed to the
ground. Then the Chinese must be
compelled to rebuild it as free city,"
letc.
dent Mckinley's view of the situation
and the duties it imposes on us, as
made known to the world fortnight
ago. His sense of the atrocity of such
an uneXampled crime against the jus
gentium as the massacre of the ENJOYS
and the other foreigners in Pekin is
probably quite as keen as Emperor
Williams. But Mr.. Hay, speaking I'M
der the Presidents direction and speak
ing for the United States, said to the
world: IF wrong be done to our citi-
zens. We propose to hold the RESPONSE
BILE authors to the uttermost accounta-
bility." He said further that it is the
Presidents purpose to cooperate in
the task of reOpening the road to
Pekin, to rescue any Americans who
may be in danger. to protect American
property and legitimate American in
terests in China as far as is possible,
and to second the efforts Of the Eu-
rOpean and japanese governments to
confine this cOnflagration of fanaticism
within its present limits and prevent
any more CONGREGATIONS of the same
sort.
But the President has nothing to say
| about vengeance, nor about treating
|
razing Pekin to the ground. In the
absence of positive proof he refrains
from holding the Chinese government
or the Chinese people as whole re-
sponsible for the atrocities. He is for
maintaining friendly relations with the
viceroys and local authorities who
\ thrown in LOT Ia
ianarchical assassins. He desires peace
with the Chinese nation. THE policy
| of the government of the United
States he says through Secretary
Hay lis to seek solution which may
bring about permanent safety and
peace in China, preserve Chinese ter
ritorial and administrative entity. pro-
tect all rights guaranteed to friendly
powers by treaty and international
law, and safeguard for the world the
principle of equal and impartial trade
with all parts of the Chinese empire"
If this isn't craftsmanship, and a
rather high grade article of statesman
ship that, the Courant is by no means
alone in the error of thinking it SO. The
"St. Louis Globe Democrat welcomes
it as one of the most important Pres
idential utterances since Jams Mon
roe spoke out in 1923. president Nc
| Kinlcy's words are as clear as Presi-
dent Monroe's were.' it says. The
New York Press" is convinced that
Mckinley has made a doctrine, as
Monroe did, and that the circular of
July 3, 1900. will have great place in
history. A Democratic journal of in
telligence and character, the "Brooklyn
Eagle" thinks it hardly too much to
affirm that this frank and timely dec
laration of the views and purposes of
the United States has saved China
from ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 'The circular
will live in diplomatic history" con-
tinues this non Republican but honest
critic. 1T will take rank as an inter-
national chapter of the most profound
Importance. There is little necessity
for saying that it will be assailed as a
phase of high and mighty imperialism
by those who are almost prepared to
take the ground that We should desert
our countrymen in China. Chinese
the circular and more particularly on
the President. But it has already vim
dicated itself. 1t has been accepted by
that this acceptance implies, it may
almost be called settled addition to
torn into shreds by any power on the
globe
The withdrawal of Debs in favor Of