The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-28
CROPPING IN THE DARK.
Everybody is Waiting For salisbury's
Chinese Policy.

OA40S0 GO44cys
New York, Sept. 2S.-A dispatch to the
Tribune from London says:
There have been no fresh canards
within twenty-four hours from China,
where diplomatic fictions easily in
vented for the purpose of creating dis
sension among the powers. Lord Sails
bury's reply to the German proposals is
still awaited with anxiety in Berlin and
intense interest in other capitals and
meanwhile the English press is cropping
in the dark for the real policy of the
British foreign office His delay IN
sending an answer to Berlin is not ade-
quately explained by lack of information
from Pelxin when his facilities for COM
munication have been as good as those
of the other powers He is probably
casting about for some effective methoo
of dulling the edge of refusal and
opening the way for an amendment OF
the German proposals.
The general principle that the guilty
must be punished can be accepted easily
enough, even If the ways and means
proposed by Germany are rejected. The
opinion which has prevailed in Fleet
street-that the British foreign oIllce
will strongly support the proposition
that negotiations cannot be entered into
until the leaders of the anti-foreign
movement are surrendered for punish
ment-is not held in diplomatic circles
here Lord Salisbury is not beneVed TO
favor so drastic a proposition what the
best informed men are expecting IS ms
refusal to assent to this method or pro-
cedure, but they are also conndent tnat
the divergence of views Will be mini
nized and concealed as far as possible
If these forecasts are correct Lord Sails-
bury's reply will surprise the Englisn
electors who are expecting evidence that
England is shoulder to snouluer IN
China with Germany and the triple ain
ance For this. reason Lord Salisbury
may be deliberate in drafting and dis
patching it. He has himself referred 20
the China complications as one OF the
reasons for having as large majority
as possible in the next parliament ana
he may be reluctant to have the text OIL
his reply published on the eve OF eiec-
ton.
His silence, however, does not exempt
him from criticism. The Westminster Ca
zette is already condemning his lnactlon
with fine irony and explaining that the
foreign office could not be expected to
make up its mind about the German CIR
cular within ten days, and that the en-
press and the ringleaders are likely 70
have another three weeks for erecting
their escape before the international
steam roller is in motion.
Foreign policy apparently is not who'll
ly separated from domestic politics even
in England. There is need for caution. for
the Unionists are not wholly satisfied
with the prospects of the elections Inc
Liberals are doing better work than was
expected and there is much apathy on
the Unionist side. Liberal imperialists
largely outnumber the Radicals in the
| opposition list of candidates and while
there is a general acceptance of the re-
suits of annexation there is also much
effective criticism of the military blum
ders and lack of political foresight on
the part of the Unionist government
The elections will probably go heaVily
Unionist but the demoralfzed Liberal
party has contrived to pull itself to-
gether and make a vigorous fight.
For this reason it is doubtless conven-
lent for the prime minister to keep his
China policy in the background as long
as possible.