The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-07-27

been slow in waking Up to realization
OF the horrors which have been per-
petrated in China. The stories which
have come out have been so fragmen-
tarN so incoherent and so eontradie-
tory, that there is disposition to dis
credit them ana to refuse to believe
that the foreign residents OF Pekin have
really been massaered. with revolving
tortures as the many rumors from Chi
nese sources have asserted. In Europe
the same apathy for time existed, but
it appears now that the people OF the
old countries have come to realization
OF the situation presented and that
public sentiment is becoming fear
fully aroused on the subject, The
phlegmatle Germans are bitterly en-
ragged over the known murder OF their
minister at the court OF China. and IL
the rumors OF Wholesale massacre prove
true, the war spiri, OF the country
will wake up as it never has done since
the march on Paris In England pub
lie opinion Is fast assuming the phase
exhibited when the news OF the terrible
outrages acoompanying the Indian mu-
tiny gradually became known, The
Boer war has ceased to occupy pub
lie attention, save as factor in the
situation which renders Great Britain
temporarily crippled in its resources
and unable Immediately to respond to
the public demand for the embarking
of a military expedition to revenge the
Innocent blood shed and to secure the
world against a repetition OF the Pc
kin horrors Public sentiment in
France is not SO pronounced, or rather
the political aspect OF the situation is
more considered there than the fearful
account which has rolled up, and which |
must be paid in Chinese blood.
When it is remembered how the peo-
pie OF the United States flamed into
righteous wrath when the Maine was
blown up in the harbor Of Havana. and |
the war sentiment created by that act
is recalled. it may seem somewhat sin
gular that the stories OF the fearful
outrages upon American men. women
and children in China have as yet
aroused public sentiment in this coun-
try to no serious manifestation. The
truth is that the patience and conser-
vative good sense OF the American peo-
pie are at present being graudly ex-
hibited. They are awaiting the truth.
They refuse to commit themselves on
the strength of rumors which. no mat
ter how often repeated. may yet prove
to he false. 1t seems to many i'm
possible to realize that the responsible
heads of the Chinese government are
% utterly deprayed as to counsel and
permit the horrible massacres which it
S alleged have taken place; and so
ignorant as not to realize that they
in their own persons. may
pay the penalty IL innocent life has
BEEN sacrificed. ~-ss..
When the full truth is known. how
ever. and If the stories which are now
mere rumors shall have been fully con-
irmed IN all their details. then the
American people will be heard from.
The feeling caused by the Maine affair
will be as nothing compared to the
leep and abiding wrath Of the Ameri-
an people over the massacres in Pc
lin. and no sacrifice will be deemed too
Teat. no exertion Of the power of the
government too strong. until those out
ages have been atoned for by those =.
esponsible for them. And under that
wrath will be buried the cheap and
oisesome partisans who dare at this |
ime to assail the administration for
he steps which it is taking to protect
american lives in China. and to avengs 4
he blood Of murdered Americans. t
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