Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-31
TOTTERlNG AGAIN.

The Chinese Empire has fallen to
pieces so often of late years that the
announcement that IL Is about to oc-
cur again will naturally be received
with incredulity. The opinion, based
on previous experience, has come to be
general, that whatever happens China
will, somehow, right itself and manage
to stay on the surface of a rather tur-
bulent sea. If the Empire were left to
its own devices 1t might. indeed, Justify
ruurder all the foreign devils" period
ically; glut the thirst of the malcon-
tents for blood by the butchery of n few
hundred thousands of its own teeming
millions after the supply of foreign vic
Tins was exhausted; and pursue strict
ly Chinese methods OF business and
government, China would doubtless
hold together for some centuries yet.
These conditions. however. will not be
tolerated. China will not fall to pieces;
1t will be cut to pieces. The division
has already begun. and there Is scarce
ly an infinitesmal chance that 1t will
not continue until there Will remain of
the oldest Empire. now in existence,
nothing but spheres OF influence"
fragments held for exploitation by the
nations of Europe, and. mayhap, by the
United States as we'll.
1t is this commonly accepted view OF
China's future that gives the Boxer"
outrages international Importance. Has
the time arrived for the final partition
of China? Will the foreign forces
which may have to be thrown into
China to protect life and property ever
be withdrawn? Is the immemorial
Eastern question about to receive final
settlement, and will it be a peaceable
or a bloody settlement? These are
questions that can not be answered
with any assurance by anybody at this
time. 1t depends mainly upon the pro-
portions reached by the Boxer" upris-
atrocities are carried.
So far as Russia is concerned 1t will
doubtless be disposed to force final
partition at this time. England's hands
are tied. 1t could not. at this time, af-
ford to go to war with Russia. But
there is Germany to be considered; and
Under the present imperialistic auspices
-ithe United States. Russia will per-
haps never again have so excellent an
opportunity to work its will in China.
1t is the only nation that Is in a posi-
tion to throw any considerable army
into China at this time. 1t is rcputed to
have 100000 men in striking distance OF
the Celestial Empire. 1t has been pre-
the world has believed. Will the blow
be delivered now?
The situation is fraught with interest
and with possible peril. Russia is
powerful, interruptions and far-seeing.
If Germany can be satisfied and the
United States keeps aloof. there is no
reason to believe that Russia (Which
only the other day openly violated a
treaty with England by acquiring a
seaport in Corea) will hesitate to play
for the vast stakes of the Chinese EN-
pire. The report that $1,000 Russian
troops arc already in motion gives color
to the assumption. The fact that the
Empress Dowa ger sympathizes with the
Boxer" outrages, and the open refusal
of the Chinese army TO meet the NAL
contents in the field seem TO make IL
certain that to restore order outside in
tcrference will be necessary. Russia Is
alone in Il position to interfere effect
lively and to deal aggressively with the
rebs is. 1t is the opportunity of a gem
erAtion.