The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-09-05
THE MANY DANGERS OF THE CHINESE SITUATION

an inspiring spectacle to behold the Unit
ed States debating to the world, but the
reflection comes naturally that there
would be something anarchistic in the
greatest modern republic in practical ALI
ance with barbaric, colored power
against the Caucasian civilization The
question ar SEES whether we should be
willing to fight for the integrity of such
q government as China may possess, for 1t
is not conceivable that the powers would
relax their grasp ON China at our de-
mand. And yet to withdraw without maxi
ing the demand would be a violation OF
our word and a de- .berate abandonment
of all chance for the extension OF Alneri
can trade in China,
Would the people of the United States
favor meeting a world in arms for the
sake Of lot Of barbarians? If not, would
they favor our governments retirement
from the field and the abandonment of
trade advantages? Or would they prefer
that this government break Its word
already pledged to the Chinese people
through Ii Hung Chang, and JON with the
powers in the partition of the empire and
take a slice thereof?
That Is the proposition that is now fau-
ing our country. The United States
troops might not withdraw until the Chl-
nese question is settled, but the Chinese
question never Will be settled SO long as
the European powers hold a foot Of Chi
nese territory. and this will be the case
even after the deposition Of the dow
eyer empress may be accomplished and
with 1t the restoration OF Kwang Tsu TO
power with a council of liberal reform
ers. Kwang Tsu may favor reform and
toleratlon OF fore .gners. The Chinese
people do not, and the people are more
powerful than their rulers. This has been
amply demonstrated in the late uprising.
Either the United States must abandon
emma TO anarchy and the conflicting in
terests of the European powers, or 1t
must stand ready to fight civillzst on In
behalf OF barbarism, or it must partIclnats
IN some way in the partitioning of the
empire. The powers, as committee OF
safety for the government of China. must
iall out And in that event it mighr he
lgnominious for the United States simply
TO withdraw and watch the dismember-
ment from afar.
The United States in alliance with
China would be absurd. The United
States in alliance tn partitioning row
eFs would be violation of our profess
sions The United States drawing Off
ana leaving China to its fate and ABANDON
Ing United States interests would be cow
afdly and be repudiating all the promises
mat we have lately made to Oh no
through the state department The Unit
cd States policing China without com.
pensation would be waste OF men and
'lme and money. What. then, are we
gong to do about the matter? which
horn OF the dilemma will we takee
1t IS suspected. and not without reason.
mat Japan is not so unfrlendly toward
emma as most of us imagine Blood is
thicker than water. and Chinese and Ian
anese have much in common. They are
neighbors. Japan being near to China
mus fear Russian and other aggression
yeere as menace to her growing power.
~ me European powers control China,
SSpan must abandon hope OF expanding
~ mere, Japan could not even take Korea.
Il 'apan could combine with China, could