The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-10
The DIPLOMATS Situation in China.

The Di,lo.natic Situation in China
At latest accounts the Enjoys 81 Pekin
were only waiting for the announcement
OF British acceptance of the final proto-
col TO sign and serve It on the Chinese
pIenipotentiaries- II is not thought that
Lord SaIisbury's assent is in douba or will
be materially delayed. But a hitch may
come when the agreement CT the Powers
is ready for delivery. 1t appears that, so
far. Ii Hung Chang and Prince Ching
have been unable to produce formal ere
dentials, and lately have admitted that
the only evidence Of their appointment
and powers is an ediet the text Ct which
they received by telegraph The minis
tiers of the civilized States know better
than 10 open negotiations with China
men with no better authority than that
conveyed in a telegraphic despatch which
the Imperial Government would be certain
to disown and denounee as a forgery
should such q course suit its convenience.
The matter may very likely lead 20 some
further delay which is regrettable as
conditions point TO fresh and serious
outbreak in China before many days that
perhaps might be ayerted OF mi1fmized
were it known that the Powers were
again in accord and agreed upon def
mite common policy in treating with the
Chinese authorities.
The warning of Sir Robert Hart still
holds good, albeit the resumption of hos
tiIities did not occur in November. as he
predicted. Reports from Tientsin and
other threatened points give the impress
sion that the 2ntf-foveign princes and
mandarins have selected December 19 fer
the first general assault upon the allies
and their citizens or subjects wherever
found. Interior missions are still under
siege. where they have not been carried
already. and their defenders and inmates
tortured and butchered Minister WI
thinks /: queer that missionaries whose
Lord and Master admonishes them to love
their enemies should be shouting for ven
geance upon the authors of the PGoting-fu
and like horrors. He quotes the golden
| rule of Confueius TO them. It might be
better to quote it 80 the hends who. IN
der direct orders from his Government,
are attempting to repeat the sickening
atrocities of Paoting-fu at other places.
Kansas and Brer Rabbit
There is breezy confidence in their re-
sources, infaIlibility and manifest destiny
about the people of Kansas that is al
ways deserving OF respect and admiration.
It is not altogether groundless, because
the world must admit that a Common
wealth which can produce the PETER style
of whiskers, a soekless Simpson, and the
Mary Ellen variety Of Lease. has SO many
| possibilities behind it that one should
never be surprised at anything emanating
from it, from record breaking grass
hopper crop to a Sheldon newspaper
''as Christ would run it
| Just now our interest is excited by news
of most important measure which is to
be introduced IN the State Legislature
shortly after its meeting on January 1. A
new member. one Of the Kansas Smiths,
has prepared 4 bill providing for the ere
alton of a rabbit commission: not, as one
might suppose to get rid of the rabbits;
but to nurse and encourage their increase
as the people of Australia once did, and
have been Fepenting ever since.
! Still no doubt the Kansas statesman's
idea has meat in ft--mere arl better meat
and the foundation Of many canneries
His general idea IS that the tough speei-
men Of q stunted kangaroo, known as the
jack rabbit. is not edible enough to com
pete with the Philadelphia capon, the Po-
toznac shad, CT the Chesapeake diamond
back terTapin, hence he is open to inn
RToTement which it Is TO be the duty Of
the rabbit commission TO secure The
father Of the bill believes that crossing the
jack rabbit With tie Belgian hare win pro-