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

OnlD., iOCateu NJ IeklD, NaS an artlCle
in the May number OF the North
American Review entitled THE Pow
ers aud the Partition of China"
which is rendered more interesting
by very recent events occurring
since the article was written DR.
Reid in his work for tho institute has
come in contact with influential and
thinking men of other countries,
especially with those most deeply
interested IN and responsible for the
relations existing between China and
the rest of the world-ministers of
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 bis belief
He takes the nations 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 hss sbaud udoued
the "open door" policy for "spheres
of influence" Great Britain would
prefer TO see China remain intact, but
seeing he wn predominence threat.
ened, is m.2iug efforts 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 to
train the Chinese troops for the pro.
lection of the Yaug-Tse valley or
else to organize an alliance with the
United States. Germany and Japan
as against Russia and France
DR. Reid thinks Russia is much
micjudged /; that they really have q
much stronger feeling for the Chinese
than for the Germans and English.
Russia hes not taken possession of
Msnchuria province. which still pays
its taxes to China. Russia really
iuserferes less in tho internal affairs
of China than any other nation. The
building of the great Siberian rail
road has given Russia such immense
advantages that the jealousy of other
countries has been aroused, and they
think che will try to acquire q large
share Of China DR. Reid says that
while Russia would like to exercise q
dominant influence in China, as other
nations do, she would much prefer
that the empire should remain intact,
but since dismemberment is "in the
air. she is strengthening her situa-
tion 80 a. to be able to take posses.
sion of Manchuria and Mongolia and
the city of Pekin whenever the scram
Bile comes. This no doubt accounts
for what is regarded as Russia's sci.
fish policy since the recent troubles
began
frances interest in China is mis-.
sionary more than commercial She
has all Catholic missions under her
protection. France does not enter
largely into the question of dlsmem.
berment aud only because of her
sympathy with Russia on account of
financial obligations.
The murder of two missionaries in
the province of Shantung two years
ego 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 dismemberment Being 90
much il the same condition az China
she would herself eventually suffer
the same state
MIR. Reid believes that America
would prefer to see China remain in
tact. but that if ACKNOWLEDGMENT
takes place the United States will
have TO be consulted with--which
meana che would demand share.
He says, what we all know. that the
average American has very little re.
speCt for the Chinese az a race This
is shown in our excluding them from
this country
DR.. Ried closes his article as fol
lows:
"Tbus through mutual jealousies
of the nations, China may be held to.
gether. All seek their own interests
fret, from what some would term
patriotic motives, and yet this very
self interest is dependent on the
preservation of China. A scramble
for conquest, possessions. sovereign
ty, in China would endanger the
peace of the whole world. Even q
sfruO0Ie fnr oat hliehod ouhoros of