The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-27

A Delicate Chinese situation.

a growing disposition to regard it with in
creased anxiety. AS far as may be con-
jectured. the identical note to the powers
prepared by our State Department, in
wiling them TO advise us of their views
concerning future allied movements, and
suggesting the ACCESSIBILITY of an inter-
national conference, has not reached any
of them as yet Ii does not argue well
for the success of the American propos,
tion that a despatch from Berlin, dated
August %, states that the Foreign Office
considers the idea of such a conference
as premature, and desires the allied COM
manders to exercise control in Pekin ard
the occupied parts of China until Field
Marshal Count Won Naldersee shall lave
assumed command and had time to report
on the situation Ii this is really the
attitude Of the German Government, there
does not seem to be much encouragement
for a hope that President McKinley's pres
ent effort to bring the war to a close will
be fruitful
The chances for az immediate cessation
of hOstilities are further deprecated by
the apparent intention of Russia to en-
tinue hostilities and to abandon the fc-
ton that the war in China is not war.
The Administration is hopeful that the
alleged announcement of the Russian gen
eral at Pekin, that his country is tech
nieally as well as actually at war with
China VIII be either dlsproved or dsa-
vowed in St Petersburg. The fact will
remain in any event Russia, after re-
pulsing an attack by Chinese army upon
her territory in the Amur country. has in
turn invaded the Chinese side OF the
Amur River and annexed its lower bank.
1t is not TO be expected that the Gar
will stop until he has Manchuria and the
Laio Tung peninsula in occupation and
under control because Otherwise his rail-
way communications with the Gulf of Pc
chill and Port Arthur would be open to
renewed destruction.
Germany and Russia have well defined
grievances in addition to those Of which
the other powers have cause to complain.
An have been commonly affronted and
outraged by the attempt of the Chinese
Government to butcher their diplomatic
representatives. But the German Minis
ter actually was murdered by the body
guard Of the Empress Dowager and. be-
yond any reasonable question by her
orders Germany. therefore, possesses the
undoubted right 10 infict punishment for
that crime Russia can show the invasion
Of her territory as ample excuse for puni-
tive operations.
What weuld happen If the United States.
Great Britain. and Japan were to join
forces and insist upon the adoption, say
OF the American position. with war as
the alternative is beside the question
The United States. while desiring 20 main
tain the integrity OF the Chinese Empire,
and TO secure the open door, would
certainly decline to fight in order TO at
tain those objects. Great Britain has her
leg caught in a trap in South Africa. and
could i'll afford to engage In an adventure
the first results of which might be
Russian advance on Herat. and French
expedition to grab the northern coast
littoral of Morocco. and thus break the
lock that British Gibraltar keeps on the
western mouth of the Mediterranean.
Without the active alliance of Great Brit
ain at least, japan would be -powerless-
So it would appear that, if the European
powers have anything like common
understanding and programme. it is not
probable that their designs can be block
ed. as the situation stands
Outwardly. at least, France advocates
course and settlement in line with the
propositions OF the United States: but in
case her ancient enemy over the Channel
were to be drawn into any new and seri-
Gus complication Of a war-lille nature. the
natural inference is that France would
take advantage Of the situation and pro-
coed 70 get even for Fashoda, British SYM
pathy for Dreyfus, the boycotted Ey-
position. and on many other old scorer
Germany. it is believed, does no,
object to the acquisition OF Manchuria BIZ
Russia, but would consider that enough
for the Cars slice. For his own part.
what the Kaiser wants is yet to be learn
ed; but. as one Of yesterdays cable let
tiers suggested, If he exacted the impor-
tant port OF Kiao-Chou with considera
BILE hinterland for the murder Of two negIi-
gible missionaries, it may well be surmised
that he would NOT regard the whole prov
inee Of shantung as more than moderate
compensation for the assassination of his
Minister.
II may be said with truth that all the
signs point 10 a land grabbing settlement.
Without any conceaiment Great Britain
appears % be making preparations to exact
her share in case it comes to such a solu-
ton although the British Government
would greatly prefer to see the Empire
preserved intact, with equal trade privi-
leges 10 all nations. AS to the strictly
monetary indemnity that Mr.. Mckinley
and his advisers are hoping for as a basis
Of settlement, It is 10 be doubted that
such thing is possible. II certainty can
not be so considered. except conditioned
upon a sweeping reorganization of the
entire fabric OF the fiscal and tax Systems
throughout China. As Count okuma, the
Japanese Premier. says the public debt
OF the Empire already aggregates six bun-
dred million taeis. and at the end of tie
war ii is beyand hope that the Chinese
Government will be in a position even to
pay the interest On that sum-
II thorough harmony and corporation
among all the interested powers could be