New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-23
MAKING TERMS IN CHINA.

The Chinese Government is in a hurry to
make terms Of peace-too much Of a hurry,
one might think. Whatever the usually de-
nberate and procras1nating Oriental mind may
think Of it. to the American mind it appears
that the time for haste is past and the time
for elaboration is here. There was need of
haste when the Ministers in Picking were In
mortal peril; and this country made haste while
China did all she could TO cause DELAY But that
need Is past. Thanks to our celebrity and zeal
despite Chinese prOcrastnation and opposition
the legations have been relieved and their oc-
cupants rescued There is no more occasion
Tor haste. It is more fitting to pause and look
carefully about and investigate matters and
proceed with deliberation. We do not want
TO be hurried into committing ourselves to terms
OF settlement until we know fully what has
occurred and what there is to be settled and
Win whom the settlement is to be made We
must have Mr.. Conger's full report upon what
has occurred at Picking since early in June
And we must know who and where is the re-
sponsible sovereign Of China
Moreover, IT must appear to Ii Hung Chang
% Mr.. WI Ting Fang and to all thoughtful
Chinese statesmen that the Chinese Govern
ment has placed itself at grievous disadvan-
tage in not acceding TO the eminently proper and
moderate suggestions made by the President
on July %. Had it done so, had 1t recognized
and cO-operated with our relief force in IFS
progress toward Picking II would now be in
position to demand IN return full credit for ifs
good faith and benevolent intentions and could
fairly ask that the settlement Of terms be made
a matter Of friendly mutual Negotiations. in
which each side would have an authoritative
voice Unhappily. il did not do So and did not
win that advantage On the contrary it COM
PEELED this country 10 proceed in spite of it. and
70 act very much after the manner of a con-
queror. Since that is so. it must occur to the
Oriental as well as TO the Occidental mind
that there would be ample reason for making
a decided change in the attitude of the negotIa-
tors. The United States will have to appear
as one that is under no obligations to China,
but has won the vindication Of its rights with
its own good sword. In such circumstances It
would be following nothing more than the ordi-
nary course Of procedure for the terms of set
uenent 10 be reached by dictation rather than
by negotiation on equal terms Indeed. any
other course might well be deemed one of ex-
ceptional generosity on the part of a much
wronged but triumphant nation
Much confidence Is expressed in Furone that
whatever settlement is made with China the
United States VIII continue 10 act in concert
with the other Powers. The reason for sucb
confidence is not apparent and neither is the
reason for such action on the part of this coun-
try. There can be no possible objection TO this
cOuntrys taking the lead in the matter. as IT
did in the operations for the relief of Picking
because TO a certain extent-probably to the
full extent Of the United States claims for set
flement-its demands upon China coincide with
those Of the Powers. theirs coincide with its
demands. But there Is point at which Amer