Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-01
REPLY TO MR. HENDERSON
OUR COUNTRY HAS ACTED WELL
WITHIN ITS RIGHTS IN CHINA.
There Are No Good Grounds for At
lacking the Policy Of the
Admin lat ration. -
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:

unworthy Of thought, for such as they mis-
take noise for patriotism, peanut politics
for craftsmanship, and coarseness and vul-
garity for intellect. But when a man who
has just claims to patriotism craftsmanship
and refinement gives vent to such fiery, I'M
founded and illogical statements as that In
Thursdays Star emanating from ex-Sena-
tor Henderson we are shocked and horri-
fed and are constrained to ask, in spirit
Of charity, whether this distinguished citi-
zen Is not laboring under a temporary aber-
ration. or. If not that. has the cause which
he represents become so weak that he Is
forced to grasp at every straw, no matter
how weak. in hopes that it will save him
and his cause from humiliation?
We will discuss three important items IN
his communication. First, the attitude Of
this government regarding our entry into
Spain. Second, the acceptance by this gov
eminent of the services Of Count Waider-
see commander-in-chief Of the allied
forces. Third, the rescue of our minister
and our present attitude toward China.
As to the first count, your correspondent
intimates that we had no right to enter
China to rescue our minister and others VINO
were besieged and threatened with death
and even worse, and by our entry we COM
mitted an unconstitutional act and at the
same time practically declared war against
"the Chinese" who have no malice against
one of imperialism, and that 1--WE must join
In the filthy banquet, take our share OF the
wicked spoils. or else suffer the usual fate
Of the robber bandit who avows a con,
science" Now, in answer to this wicked
declaration will merely quote that part
of Secretary Hays note of July to the
powers, in which he says: In this critical
posture of affairs I'm China 1t is deemed ap-
propriate to define the attitude OF the United
States far as present circumstances per
NIT this to be done We adhere to the
policy initiated by us in 1857 of peace with
the Chinese nation. We regard the
condition at Pekin as one OF virtual anarchy
whereby power and responsibility are prac-
t.cally devolved upon the local provincial
authority. So long as they are not in overt
collision and rebellion. and use their power
to protect foreign rights and properly, we
regard them as representing the Chinese
people, with whom we seek to remain In
peace and friendship.
The purpose of the President Is, as 1t mas
been heretofore, to act concurrentiy with
the other powers. first. in opening up com
municatio with Pekin and rescuing Amer
lean officials; secondly, in affording all pos
s!ble protection In China to American life
and property: thirdly. In guarding ana pro-
tecting all legitimate American interests.
and. fourthly, In aiding to prevent spread
of the disorders to the other provinces of
the empire. -" But the policy Of the gov
eminent of the United States is to seek So
luton which may bring about permanent
safety and peace to China. preserve chinese
territorial and administrative entity, pro-
tect all rights guaranteed to friendly pow
ers by treaty and interna tional law, and
safeguard for the world the principle of
equal and impartial trade with all parts of
the Chinese empire" Now, as If to en-
phasize the foregoing statement, the Pres
ident in his reply of July % to China, ask
ing him to act mediator, says: Il have
received your majesty's message Of the 10Th
of July, and am glad to known that your
majesty recognizes the fact that the gov
~ a mi cd
sire of China nothing but what is just and
equitable. The purpose for which we land
ed troops in China was the rescue of our
legation from grave danger, and the pro-
lection of the lives and property of Amer
leans who were sojourning in China in the
enjoyment of rights guaranteed them by
treaty and International law. The same
purposes are publicly declared by all the
powers which have landed military forces
in your majesty's empire.
Can any fair-minded man say there is one
word in those two state papers to Indicate
In the slightest degree that our act in land
Ing troops in China was that of a nation
seeking to take undue advantage of an
other? No! But. to the contrary, our whole
aim was proper and humane, sanctioned by
interna tional law and constitutional right
Now coming to the second count in the
indictment, your estimable correspondent
says: "American troops, without pretense
of law, are to be placed under command of
the German emperor, who openly proclaims
against the Chinese the war of Israel
against the Amalekite." Of course, in an
swering this statement we know that your
correspondent denied our right to enter
China at all; but as we did enter he would
have had us act independently Of the other
troops, make the forward movement alone
and take the chances of having our soldiers
butchered, rather than to have the allies
act in concert under the command of one
superior officer He Is not willing to con-
cede to that humane mission what he is
willing to concede to a political leader who
EN- IL Ill
yer republicans. anti-imperialists and
croakers But no better answer can be
given to this charge than. to quote the
words of President McKinley's qualified ac-
ceptance of Count Waldersee. follows:
1.-The government of the United States
will be much gratified to- secure the
command of so distinguished and eX-
perienced an officer Count Waldersee for
any combined military operation in which
the American troops take part. after the
arrival of that officer in China. to attain
the purposes declared by this government
in the circular note delivered to the powers
under date of July 3.
The general commanding the American
forces in China has already been author
lied to agree with other commanders as to
a common official direction of the various
forces in their combined operations, pre-
serving the integrity Of his American di-
vision as separate organiza ton"
By this 1T will be seen that we are ac-
cepting the services of Count Waldersee on
the same terms as the President has the
right to accept for our army or navy the
services of any American or foreigner who
possesses sufficient courage and courtesy
to offer himself when crisis arises. 1t will
also be noted that the general commanding
the American forces Is to preserve 1.-The in
tegrity of his American division as a sep
arate organization" by which it is under
stood if the powers without just cause de-
clare war on China can and will with
draw our troops from the command of
Count Waldersee without offense to any
nation and maintain a separate organiza-
ton for whatever purposes we deem neces-
sary. Surely your correspondent ought to
read up on both sides of the question before
he offers such a lame excuse for an attack
on the administration.
Coming to the third CONT, 1t is asked, eff
the army was really sent to Pekin to res
cue our minister, why does the army re-
main there after the minister and all his
family. his friends and his visitors have
been rescued?' This question is so silly
that it is scarcely deserving of attention
1t does not seem possible that your CORE
spondent could expect our men to turn
round and come out of Pekin the very day
they entered the city, when some of them
had journeyed 10000 miles and endured
hard fighting on the way to get there even
though other conditions were favorable
Had our men countermarched by them
selves at that time not one would have sur