The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-03
Circulation Statement.
The ScuttIing Policy.

Europe is recovering from the surprise
occasioned by the Russo American coup
and by today or tomorrow there ought TO
be some hint of the return play. We are
much mistaken if it Will not disclose new
alignment of the powers. and show that tho
United States and Russia have been segre-
gated from the concert. and will be dipio,
mstitsIly opposed by Great Britain, Ger
many. Italy, and Austria. although France
is evidently not pleased with the St. Pc
1ersburg move. yet, owing to her relations
with Russia, she will be neutral.
1t is not probable that there is to be
any immediate diplomatic outbreak. Great
Britain is reported as accepting the Russo
American proposal in principle, which
means, of course. that Lord Salisbury will
1emporize until he can get out of his South
African enlargement after which he will
be ready to resume active business in
China. The Kaiser is not likely tamely
to submit to the defeat of all his projects
for revenge and advantage. The London
and the Berlin Governments thoroughly
understand that consent TO the plan pro-
posed from Washington and ST. Petersburg
woulf cut tire ground from underneath
them. as far as obtaining indemnity or
satisfaction from China is concerned. And
an even more serious consideration is is
volved III The fact that. conceding the Rus
so-American proposition. and acting upon il
in the best way Imaginable. the inevita-
bic all-around quarrel would only be post
poned for few years at most 1t would
restore TO power the vory anti-foreign ele-
ment which, headed by the Empress Dow
ager. is responsible for all the outrages
and horrors of the past three months.
In the proposed solution the Empress
nowager would be given a clean bin of
health and treated with as of sovereign
authority. Now, everybody familiar with
Oriental affairs. knows that for the powers
to recognize the murdsress of Baron Won
Ketteler, and the woman who ordered Tuan
and other of her immediate adherents
10 attack the legations and massacre their
inmates. and 10 restore her to her old po-
sitioa would be TO convince every native
OF China that the foreign devils h-d bsen
conquered by and were afrsid Of her. He.
prestige in the Empire would be enormous
IL increased and she would be able. at tie
nexf convenient season. TO make another
war OF murder and butchery upon the out
side barbagians''
It is not altogether sure that she is not
still prosecuting the present one. 1t looks
that way when an inn erial commissioner is !
sent TO the southern provinces TO investi- !
gate the conduct of their yiceroys who |
have been accused of amicable relations
with the powers. Such an inquest is usu-
ally a perfunetory preliminary TO the de-
capitation of the officials investigated. In I
addition 10 this phenemenon it IS notorious
that Pekin has been shut off from the (
world for ten days and that the lire Of
Communication between that city and Tien 1
tsin is swarming with Chinese regular and .
irregular troops. Altogether the season 4
appears to be unpropitioGs for the sudden /
adoption Of the Russo-American "scutSling /
policy by the other parties TO the war.
It Is excellently well designed to LEI Mr.. 4
Mckinley out at the nominal expense Of I
sacrificing every hope Of indemnity for the 1
loss of American lives and property and 4
10 leave Russia as master Of the situation F..
with headquarters in Manchuria. Bat 1t
does not promise anything of honor or
value TO the remaining allies. On that ae-
count we fancy that there may be some
doubt concerning the success of the rlever
play OF Nicholas the Peacemaker aud
william the Candidate