The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-17
rhe Chine.c situation.

While il may be aeid that much Of the
Irritation produced by the Russo-Amef-
lean proposal has apparently disa1-
peared. the diplomatic situation win
regard to China is by no means cleared
of doubt and difficulty. On all hands it is
admitted that it is desirable and neees-
sary that the powers Should get tcg ether
and agree among themselves on terms
OF peace to be dictated to Oh ma. but no
one appears ready to propose the inter
national conference that all. Russia per-
hans excepted, wish to see convened.
The inability of the various foreign Of
fees to secure satisfactory communiea-
tion with their representatives in Pc, In
is creating feeling that the legations
would better be established at TieHtsin
or perhaps Shanghai, and that it would
be well 20 have preliminary interna
tianaI meeting at some European centre.
It is possible that Berlin, Vienna, and
Washington may have been waiting TO
see what Lord Salisbury would do after
his return TO England, and he may yet
give the word that will bring the cues
ton OF a conference to an issue.
1t is painfully evident that suspicion
and distrust are at work TO hamper u
movement toward a settlement, and thus
10 play China's game. 1t is possible,
however that even If the conditions were
OF the most harmonious and satisfactory
character among the invading States. any
hone of an early solution would be illus
Dry. Fair words from Ii Hung Chang
and Prince Ching are not of sufficient
weight 10 Offset sinister evidence that
the Empress Dowager and Prince Tran
are not in earnest in asking for peace.
II the insulting appointment Of General
Yung Lu as one of the Chinese peace en-
yoys were not proof enough of the IN
broken spirit of the de facto imperial
Government, the fact that large Chi
nese army is being modified against
the line OF communications between the
capital and the coast. ought to be suf-
ficient to show the treachery of the Chi
nese authorities.
The report to which we have just al
luded is no Shanghai story. 1t comes
direct from Sir Robert Hart, who has
warned the foreign commanders to be
on the lockout for resumption of hos
tilities by the Chinese within a few
weeks. The latter appear TO be only
waiting for cold weather, when they
think the problem of supplying the al
lied troops will be difficult, at best TO
reopen the war. And this view of the
matter emphasizes the strong conviction
of all Europeans and Americans who live
or have lived in China, that the Chinese
will have TO be much more severely chas-
tised than they have been, before they
can be made 10 realize the resistIcss
force behind the Western powers il is
asserted that the native populations in
Shanghai, Hongkong. and Canton do not
believe today that the foreigners ever
entered Pelrin. They denounce such re-
ports as lies manufactured to brighten
them. They are still satisfied of the abil-
sly Of their Empire TO fight the powers
and to drive foreign armies out of the
country. The defeats at. Teintsin and
Yangtsun have made little impress ion
upon them. They fully expect that fresh
Chinese forces will soon attack and an
initiate the foreign devils.
II AHtHt circumstance there NOseh mol
appear TO be much encouragement TO ne
gotiate with chineGe peace commissioners.
Indeed. their apr,intment is probably a
mere pretenee, since the Empress Dow
sger certainly must have known that the
powers would refuse to recognize enc OF
them-Yung Lu, who led the attacks on
the legations. But, II that difficulty were
out OF the way. Joint negotiation with the
CommisSien would be hopeless OF result.
because Il Is announced that Germany
will insist upon the punishment OF every
person implicated in the murder of Baron
Won Ketteler, ind that would include both
the Empress Dowager and Prince Tuan.
il Hung Chang and Prince Ching would
not dare to etnvey demand of The pow