The sun., 1900-07-09
THE CRIMINAL POWERS
English People Want Lives Saved In
China Above Everything.
HURRYING TROOPS EAST.

The Nation lis Tired of "HarmOnfOus
Accord" and Wants Japan to Have
Full Sway-British Shipbuiid-
ing Trade Enjoying Boom.
London, July S.-The present situa-
ton in China is generally referred to by
the average Britisher as "crime of the
powers" This view is shared by almost
everybody not connected with the for
eign office. With the uncontradicted re-
ports that the helpless European women
and children were tortured to death at
Peking there has come home to all class
es, all papers and all parties keen sick
cning sense of Great Britain's helpless
ness. Some go even further and de-
scribe Great Britains attitude as one Of
ignominy uncqnaled i'll her history. 1t
must not he gathered that this self criti-
cism excludes equally severe criticism
upon the other powers concerned. The
preponderancc of criticism is only direct
ed against the home government in the
apparent hope that il will bring some
result The cry is, 'What was the good
nf Lord Salisbury saying the intcrnation-
nj understanding is harmonious when
that harmony will not avail to let ia
pan step III and save the lives of Our min
lister and the men, women and children in
his charge?"
The events and rumors of the week
have completely changed the public atti-
tude toward China. 1t is no longer a
question of spheres OF influence and the
maintenance Of British power in the far
east, hut ii is matter of saving human
lives if possible and if that is bailled an
overwhelming desire for a speedy and
terrible revenge Emperor Williams
stern invocation Of vengeance has had a
heartfelt echo in Great Britain, and there
are indications that the foreign Office is
awakening to the strength of this feeling
and is taking such steps that interna-
tional harmony shall not in future inter
ferc with Independent action when great
emergencies arise.
Hurrying Troops to China.
The naval stations have become cen
ters Of activity and ships and troops are
hurrying eastward. Parliament will be
asked for an additional million pounds
| for the navy, and the inefficient vessels
will be fin;Sy ordered to be struck off
the efficient list.
| The attitude of the United States to-
ward China is but little understood and
is generally believed to he entirely CON
trolled by the political considerations of
the ante-election period. 1t is hoped that
Japan's star will now arise in the east
and save the situation. The popular de-
mand is that whether or not Russia
agrees Great Britain speedily make her
self strong enough to unite with Japan if
the exigcncies of the situation demand
such action. The nation is tired of ''har-
monous accord" that is barren of result
| 1t is useless to speculate upon how fal
Lord Salisbury will be able to meet this
popular demand by means Of the negotia-
tions ut present progressing, though hy-
potheses regarding their outcome fill
countless columns in the British papers
The News From south Africa.
While the news from China continues
| to completely ovcrshadow events in South
Africa, these have by no means ceased
to be worthy Of record. When it is un
derstood That tho last months casualties
from June ) to July >, amounted to over
5000 men, including LOO deaths, III
will he realized that the later chapters ot
the war, though comparatively uuhcrald
ed, have been terribly grim. "Wheu i,
it going to cnd?" is the question heard OF
all sides The measure Of the organized
Bocr resistance is evidently no criterion
of what the cost win hc 10 Great BItail
in precious lives. Unless Lord Roberts
is planning some move Of which the news
Is carefully kept in England it seem.
likely that there arc still many wear!
weeks of guerrilla fighting ahead of thu
British forces.
The political feature of the week wa
the defeat Of the government in the hous'
of lords by its own supporters over thu
proposition to appoint II commission t.
inquire into the losses sustained by til,
Irish landlords. This however, is mere
ly a repetition of what happened last ses
sion and cannot he taken as any sign o.
detection among the Conservative peers
upon topics outside of the Irish lane
question. The Liberals voted with tn,
government, but Erin's representative
overwhelmed them. ~ -
BaIfour's somersauIt.
J The Duke of Abercorn, a brother o
, Lord George Hamilton, the secretary o
state for India and brother-in-aw of th
Marquis of Lansdowne, the secretary o
state for war and Tory of the deepes
dye, speaking during this debate, voiced
i what is frequently heard outside th
house of lords by frankly saying he wish
ed the government had more pluck. Ii
the house of commons this lack of plucl
is especially noticeable. Last week Mr.
/ A. ]. Balfour, the government leader
with little grace turned complete som
ersault under the pressure of those VIII
wanted to increase the number Of th
: committee appointed TO investigate MI
Burdett-Coutt's charges of maladminis
tration of the hospital service in Soutl
Africa. These charges continue to Great
no end of discussion and still hang owe
the government like the sword of namo
: cles. One of the most noticeable fea
lures of the debates under this head wa
the transformation of Mr.. Balfour H
has been noted for his impcrturbabl
good humor, but he has become irritable
J ard graceess in addition to losing tn
! grip he formerly held on the house.
The social season, thanks to the ri
: mored approaching visit of the czar, vii
he heightened out to the end of thi
I month. The queens garden party a
Buckingham palace will be the larges