Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-04
THE CHINESE TROUBLES.
4 Statement of Their Origin, HIstor,
and some OF the Banefuf Effects. :

4 Statement of Their Origin, History
and some OF the Banefuf Effects.
In our foreign intercourse the DOM
inant question has been the Chinese
problem. Apart from this our rela-
lions have been happy.
The recent troubles In China spring
from the anti-foreign agitation which
for the past three years has gained
strength in the northern provinces.
Their origin lies in the character OK
the Chinese races and in the traditions
OF Their government. The TAPPING re-
belllon and the opening OF Chinese
ports TO foreign trade and settlement
disturbed alike the homogeneity and
the secIusion OF China.
Meanwhile foreign activity made
itself felt in all quarters. not alone on
the coast but along the great river
arteries and In the remoter districts,
carrying new ideas and introducing
new associations among a primitive
people which had pursued for centuries
a national policy Of isolation
For several years before the present
troubles all the resources OF foreign
diplomacy, backed by moral demon
STATIONS OF the physical force OF fleets
and arms, have been needed to secure
due
Respect for the Treaty Rights
Of foreigners and to obtain satisfaction
from the responsible authorities for
the sporadic Outrages upon the persons
and property OF unonending sojourners.
which from time % time occurred al
widely separated points In the north
ern provinces, az in the case Of the
outbreaks in Sze-Chuen and shan
Tung
Posting Of anti-foreign placards be-
came a daily occurrence, which the re-
peated reprobation OF the imperial
power failed TO check or punish. These
llfammatory appeals to the ignorancs
and superstition Of the masses. menda-
cious aud absurd in their accusations
and deeply hostile in their spirit.
could not but work cumulative harm.
They aimed at no particular class 81
foreigners: they were impartial ia at
tacking everything foreign.
The sect, commonly styled the
Boxers. developed greatly In the pro-
vinces north Of the Yang-tse. and with
the collision 81 many notable officials.
including some Of the immediate coun-
sells o. the throne itself Il beams
alarmingly aggressive. No foreigners
life. outside % the protected treaty
ports was safe. No foreign interest zag
secure from spoliation.
The diplomatic representatives OF the
powers In Picking strove In vain 10
check this movement. Protest was fol-
lowed By demand and demand By re-
newed protest, 70 Be net
with Pprfuuefory Edfcfa
from TIE palace and evasive and futile
assurances from the Tsung-ii-yamen.
The circle OF the Boxer influence mar
rOwed about Peking, and while norai-
naIIy stigmatizeq as seditious, It was
felt that its spirit peryaded the capital
itself, that the imperial forces we're
imbued With is doctrines. and that
the immediate counselors OF the En-
press DoEager we're Ia full sympathy
with the anti-forsign movement
The increasing gravity OF the condi-
tons il China and the imminence OF
peril 70 our ONT diversified interests In
the Empire, we're soon appreciated By
this government.
Il was felt 70 be appropriate that
our purposes should be pronounced IN
favor Of such course az would hasten
united action OF the powers az Pekfng
70 promote the administrative reforma
80 greatly needed for engthenirg
the imperial government and main
tanning the integrity OF China. IN
which re believed the whole Western
world 70 be alike concerned To these