The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-08-08

Americans, no unnecessary khllng,
That presents fine contrast to tn,
reports of wholesale and indiscriminat,
slaughter by Russian troops and to th'
German emperor's alleged command t,
his trocps to give no quarter and tak,
no prisoners" We may confidently be,
lieve that march conducted on th,
lines Of American policy will be expedi'
tious and triumphant.
There has been. it is true. some dis
pute as to the propriety OF undertake
ing this march. The Chinese govern
ment is reported TO have offered tC
deliver Mr.. Conger safe and sound a
Tien rsin IL the United States would
abandon its advance upon Pekin and
withdraw its forces from China, and
indeed. thus 20 deal with all the pow
ers on like terms, 1t is understood
that the offer was firmly declined and
that the advance upon Pekin is now
to be pushed as rapidly as possible
There are those who appear TO regard
this decision OF the government and
Of the powers as mistaken. and to think
that the Chinese offer should have been
accepted. For their benefit it may be
well to review some pertinent consid-
erations in the case.
It is now about six weeks since COM
munieations between this government
and its minister at Pekin were suspend
ed. 1t is intoierable that such a state
OF affairs should be indefinitely con-
tinued. There is every reason to be.
lieve that the Chinese government
might have restored communications.
at least in a considerable measure, If
it would. But it has not done so. Is
it reasonable to expect this govern
ment to accept such an offer without
being permitted to consult its minister
about it? Is the accredited representa-
tive Of a sovereign power TO be selz-
ed. locked up and finally bundled out
of the country as though he were a
bale of freight. without being permit
ted to express his wishes in the mat
ter? 1t so. diplomacy is indeed played
out. Common reason would seem to
require that communication be restor-
cd between this government and Mr..
conger. so that this government can
earn officially what has happened in
Pekin since the middle Of June and
ian consult its minister as to his wishes
and his judgment as to his future ac-
lion. This government cannot be ex-
Dected to regard its minister as a mere
,hattel.
Again. it has been made known that
IS long ago as July 20 the Chinese
government was considering the send
ng of the ministers down to Tien Tsin.
General Yung Lu is said to have urged
hat measure upon the government. A
lew days later 1t was said the Chi
lese government had decided upon that
course, and last week the further an
was made. upon eminent
'hinese authority that the ministers. or
ome Of them. were actually being sent
lown. But now it appears that no
tart has been made. Yet in all that
ime, since July %. and, indeed, since
. much earlier date. no advance has
'een made by the foreign troops to-
yard Pekin. There has been plenty Of
ime for the Chinese government to
end the ministers out. Why has It
lot done so, IL its present offer is made
n good faith? What reason is there
o suppose that the ministers would
'e sent out any sooner if our troops
we're withdrawn?
There is just one way in which the
,hinese government can vindlcate it's
good faith in the eyes of the world
md check what 1t deems to be an in
'asion of its territory. That is by put
ing the ministers at Pekin into free
communication with their governments.
Jntil that is done it must not be
leemed unjust for the powers to decline
o accept Chinese statements concern
ng the ministers or undue aggression
or them to advance upon Pekin. Com
nunication. not conquest, is their pur-
pose. 1t will be the part Of wisdom for
he Chinese government to command
is troops not to oppose but to Coop
rate with ours in its execution; and
here need be no surprise if in the near
'uture it shall do that very thing.