The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-19
OUR POSITION IN CHINA.


The situation in China is fast develop
ing, if it has not already developed, into
one in which all the energies and re-
sources of the powers should be exer-
cised fer the restoration of public order
and the protection of public property. If
the news which represents the foreign
eonsulates in Pekin as in the control of the
mob. or the other dispatches which rep
resent the imperial authorities as using
violence toward the representatives of the
foreign nations has any foundation in
fact, there is a plain duty confronting all
the nations In the discharge Of which
rtvalries and unite for the common good.
The immediate future may produce
such conditions In China as to lead to
the embodiment of contending foreign
interests. But the prospect of such a re-
suit is not all clear at this time. Whether
through the seriousness of the South
African undertaking or from natural con-
servatism, England's position in China
indication of a desire to meet the ex-
pectations of those who are so busy pre-
dieting grave trouble between Russian
and British interests. Should it develop
that the imperial authorities set them
selves up in hostility to European inter
vention, and that that attitude is due. as
many observers are disposed to- think
even at this time, to Russian diplomacy,
there is no prediction of trouble that has
thus far been made which is not pos
sible of fulfllment
Whatever the immediate outcome may
be, such a point has been reached, view
ed from this distance, as imposes much
more serious obligations on the United
States than the mere protection of the
lives and property of American citizens
The main demand at this time is to Sc
cure the domination of civilized influences
in the conduct of Chinese national af-
fairs. The Boxer rebellion represents
semi-barbarous retrogression. It must
be met by the full show of power by
in China. Nothing short of the. complete
wrestling of all control of the national
resources from the leaders of that re-
bellion and from the imperial authorities,
if they are shown to be acting in sustain
ment of the rebels, will meet the require
ment of the case.
The very sensible suggestion made re-
Gently, and said to have originated with
the Chinese emperor, of a joint suz-
erainty on the part of the powers, seems
not to have received as much considera-
ton as it is plainly entitled to. Some
such arrangement must come at once, if
there is to be permanent domestic tran
quillity. Into such an arrangement the
United States should enter or not accord
ing as it may be necessary to the safe
guarding of our commercial rights and In
terests in the empire. Unless it is plain,
however, that we would be placed at
some enduring disadvantage by withhold
ing from all participation in such adjust
ment, we ought not to become parties to
it. But we ought not to leave undone
anything which is necessary to the fullest
protection of our right as a people to
participate on terms of complete equality
with all other peoples who engage In the
opening trade of China.
Our representatives in the Orient may
be relied on to represent the actual condi-
tions and to recommend the best policies
for adoption, at least for the present.
The great present end to be achieved is
the suppression of the prevailing trouble.
Once that is assured the way remains
open for some such adjustment as that
already suggested The sending of an
American regiment from Manila may be
the beginning of a policy that will re-
ceive the unqualified condemnation of the
American people. But it is too early at
this time, in view of the entirely incom-
plete reports of actual conditions, to con-
denim that action. It may be necessary
In the interests of humanity and 1t may
be legitimate occasion for public re-
joicing, that we have been in a situation
to send so impressive a military force
to the scene of the disturbances. We have
become involved. to some extent at least.
in the difficulties now prevailing in China,
and we should not withdraw from our
present position until we have done all
that could be expected from a civilized
nation with large interests at stake.