The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-09
THE SITUATION IN CHINA,

THE SITUATION IN CHINA.
The situation in China is serious
enough without any resort to alarming
exaggerations such as certain newspapers
are indulging in as to the menacing de-
signs of Russia and the aggressive re-
sentiment of Japan. A large part of China,
embracing most of the districts where
most apparent, is overrun by a horde
of ill-armed, truculent patriots, intent up
on driving the foreigners into the sea.
The interests and the subjects of all for
eign nations have suffered from the fe-
rocity of these Chinese patriots Mis-
sionaries, merchants and civilians of all
nations have suffered at the hands of
the armed mobs which have seized upon
cities and villages and successfully en-
cOuntered the imperial troops. The out
break owes it's origin to misguided pa
standpoint of the foreigner. The BOX,
ers' favor a China for the Chinaman,
and regard with hatred the encroach-
ments of the foreigners in their land.
They undoubtedly have the support and
countenance Of that powerful element In
the governing classes In China with
whom conservatism is religion.
From a strictly Chinese point of view,
the Boxer demonstrations are not only
excusable but meritorious, and similar
action would follow similar causes in al
most any civilized country in the world,
though the degree OF savagery might
not be so great in some.
The right assumed by foreign nations
to assume control of Chinese territory
and Chinese commerce is one which any
nation would bitterly resent, whatever it's
degree of civilization. But in the deal
ings Of the powers with China, might
has been right and one of the conseuuen-
ces of such policy is the present out
break against foreigners and foreign in
fiuence. If the foreign powers are to
maintain their hold upon all they have
wrested or secured from China, 1t will
be necessary to do so with the strong
arm; that they will do this cannot be
doubted, for it may be seen that they
surround China like troop of wolves
acting in concert while they pursue their
victim, and when 1t is pulled down.
! quarreling and snarling among them
selves over the spoils
lAd off
! foreign fleets numbering in the aggregate
81 vessels of war. with a tonnage of
1859 tons, and carrying 2,O14 men ana
2,024 guns. Russia is pouring armed
men into Northern China, and Japan
stands prepared to do the same, while
the foreign fleets threaten all the sea-
ports. Apatriotic Chinamani If there is such
oeing-and there is no reason to be-
lieve but that Cinnamon may be patriot
ic-sees in this a terrible danger to his
country and threat against it's inde-
pendence. So that it can be understood
that there is some excuse for the Chinese
| outbreak.
1t may be some consolation to the Chi
nese patriot to know that if his country
Is stolen from him, the spoilers Will rend
one another during the partition of the
plumber. 1t may rejoice the heart of ths
Chinese patriot to know that japan ara
Russia are ready to fly at each others
throats, but he would like to see the
fray commence before they seize his
country. And it is on the. prospect oe
such falling cut that many ilnagina,
| tive newspaper correspondents are at
present exercising their imaginations.
But Judging by the past and concedina
to each of the predatory nations the
true unsclfish instinct. it is improbable
that they will fight over the prey before
| 1t Is hunted down.
| The strength of the foreign nations noU,
eyeihg China so hungrily is too evenly
balanced to create the belief that any
ona or combination eff them all will at
tack the others. The Russian land forces
are probably offset by the armies Of
Japan, while the other nations have no
| land forces to speak of. The naval
| strength of Japan and Russia shows no
great disparity. and if the naval strength
| OF England and Japan was Joined. It
would equal that of all the other nations
| combined. With the navy of the United