The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-13
rhe scuttIe policy in chinn.

The Semitic Policy in China
Yesterday was day OF optimism in
Administration circles. 1t does not take
much to make the President optimistic in
connection with the Chinese crisis. Any
little thing calculated to feed the hope that
Congress may not have to be called in
extraordinary session is good enough. The
basis for the growing confidence OF Sstu:
day and Sunday was the theory that as
China had practically complied with two
of the three requirements stated in MIR.
McKinley's Cantcn address to the Throne,
the remaining one probably would be.
In that event. it is said by Administra-
tion people that the American policy and
| programme would be "a short horse and
soon currtdd Should the Pekin Govern
ment give its consent 10 the Mckinley
plan. and permit the American troops, or
mixed committee OF the allies, TO enter the
city uhdsrca flag of truce and escort the
| Ministers, ether foreigners. and the native
/ Christians TO a place of safety, 1t is re-
ported to be the Administration idea 10
back out of China. leaving the question Of
! war indemnity and exemplary damages to
be settled by diplomatic negotiation after
the war. and also leaving the task of
| reducing the Empire TO order 10 the 9th T
! civilized nations.
1t is quite apparent that the Presidents
advisers regard the course outlined above
as most excellent politics. That European
Cabinets will be nonplussed and not know
whether 10 laugh or swear at such policy
will make no difference to the Republican
- l.
bawbee how many Americans may have
been or may be massacred in China, nor
how many Of our brave officers and soldiers
may have been slaughtered al Tientsin and
/ Yungtsan, or may be booked for heroes
graves at Lang Fang, Pekin, and else
/ where What the bosses are after is the
effect that the wobble and scuttle policy
may have upon the Presidential vote in
tire middle West. where the fortunes of
the imperial, trust. and monopoly party are
Just now at a low ebb. As We have pre-
viously remarked. if il should also furnish
color OF excuse for refusing TO assemble
Congress, that also would be considered
| providential.
For our Own part, we do not believe
that any policy with the object of seuttling
out OF China before tho Government OF
that Empire has been held to just account
for It's duplieity. treaehery, and its murder
OF our citizens and the destruction OF their
property would have the support of the
| country What would the world say of an
alleged first-clasg power, possessed OF
ample military and financial resources,
/ which having been compelled TO land an
/ army and fight battles with the regular
forces of hostile nation in order TO save
It's envoy and his family. staff. guests and
/ guards from massacre, should Immediately
turn tail and run after accomplishing that
I initial purpose. and continue to preserve
the fiction OF amicable relations with the
enemy country?
! European statesmen have been complain
/ ing. and with good reason, of the wayer-
I ing attitude OF the Administration, and
! Of its constant tendency to make private
/ terms with China. irrespective of the
! rights or interests of other parties to the
allied movement. Ii the intentions now
aseribed TO Mr. Mckinley by common re-
/ port are in fact entertained by him, it is
not impossible that he may discover within
q few days that he has precipitated a sub
crisis of an embarrassing nature In other
words, If Germany Russia, France, and
Japan, and perhaps Great Britain, should
really reach the conclusion that the Wash
| ington Government has reduced It's war
| policy in China to the simple terms of get
| Conger and scuttle." leaving them to bear
| the brunt CT subsequent operations and
dangers. it is conceivable that they might
not like II.
Suppose they did not; what then? In
that event it would not surprise us to learn
/ that joint note had been presented TO
! This Government demanding a definition OF
| the American policy and purposes, and
/ limiting in tae bland language of diplomacy
/ that. If the United States shall refuse to
participate in the occupation OF Pekin as
a means Of securing indemnity, and in
such military undertakings as may be
| necessary to the restoration of order and
he future protection of diplomatic and
consular officials and other foreigners le-
Ultimately domiciled in China, then the
UAited States must expect to find itself
ignored in and by the congress Of inter-
cgtcd nations certain to be convened for
the settlement of the Chinese question. II
is 10 he doubted that such notice would
please the President and his advisers. If
carried into effect as It would be were the
Administration to adhere to what is be-
Iieyc to be its present scheme. this coun
try would be LEFT out in the cold and com
PEELED TO negotiate with China alone and
without the smallest chance OF success. |
! Because. unless the United States is al
lowed 10 be 4 party to the international |
congress, and thereby is in position to
demand consideration in the matter of
pecuniary claims which Will be then and |
there apportioned among the signatories, |
there will be nothing left in China unmort-
gagged. and the Western Republic will find |
itself in the position Of the tramp who |
refused to saw wood and consequently |
had to go without breakfast
In view of the foregoing. 1t seems TO us
that it would be the part OF wisdom in
Air. Mckinley TO instruct Magcon 20 pre-