The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-21

I Nothing is yet known definitely as to
the attitude which the Administration will
assume in regard to the German note. 1t
viii be discussed at the Cabinet meeting
today and reply which has been sub
stantially prepared already will be sent
| out, probably III the form of circular,
tonight or tomorrow. The chances are
that the Administration will neither ac-
! cept nor reject the German proposal to
secure the punishment of those members
| OF. the Chinese Government who are re-
sponsible for the crimes and atrocities
! of the past four months. as condition
precedent to peace negotiations; but will
temporize and-to put it plainly-wobble
again.
Mr. Mckinley and his advisers must see
that the time is nearly at hand when
they will have to adopt a definite policy.
Russia has removed one important source
of embarrassment in reconsidering her
determination TO evacuate Pekin, but that
does not restore this country to the po
sition it held before the pitiable blunder
OF the Russo American compact was COM
mitted. 1t is possible for Mr.. Mckinley
to redeem himself. but that can only be
done By pursuing a course which it is
strange he has not already entered upon
without any incentive other than respect
I for Justice and humanity, and knowledge
that II us the course endorsed by a vast
majority of the American people. i
We do not pretend to guess what he
=, viii do. Today he may intend one line
of action and tomorrow face about and
decide upon something Numerically OPP
posite. But there does not seem to be
| any room for doubt concerning his plain
duty in the premises. AS we have. cen
tended from the beginning of the out
RACES and war in China. the position Of
Germany is right. and the only one that
could accord with national dignity and
| the inteeests of civilization. 1t is all
very weTf to say that the principle of the
| German proposal would be amply pre-
served in 3making the punishment of the
| guilty. Chinese officials a matter for ne
gotiation, rather than to demand it in
advance; but such an argument woald
| be puerile, in the face of the fact that,
| in the first instance, the powers would be
negotiating for punishment with the rep
resentatives and appointees OF the very
persons whom it is chiefly necessary 10
| punish, if there is TO be peace with
| honor. 1t is intolerable that the powers
| should consent to treat at all until the
wretch who reeks with the blood of tor
tured American and British women ard
children has been deposed. if rot be-
headed, as she richly deserves to be. Mr..
| NcKihIey would be taking wild chances
with the temper of the country were ii.
TO align himself with Russia. France. or
| any other State, in recognition of the
fendish Empress Dowager. His fright
| ened anxiety to find some excuse for
scuttIing out OF China should be subor-
diuated to a wish and willingness to pro-
| tect and promote American interests in
! China He was not doing that when he
ruthIessiy smashed the concord of the
powers by Swapping at the bait so clever
| ~ rendered him by the Russian Charge
| d'Anaires He would not be doing IT by
refusing to Join with Great Britain. Ger
many, Austria, Italy, and Japan in dig
mined programme. which should Include
! imperatively the dethronement of the
Empress Dowager, the arrest of Tuan,
and some other princes and generals. and
the restoration OF the Emperor Kwar
Hsu as the responsible ruler of the En-
pire.
Once more the conditions seem to make
the United States the determining weight
| in the diplomatic scale. II that weight
is thrown with the powers which have
a reasonable and honorable policy, the
chances are that the whole concert viii
unite upon it. Nobody knows what the
outcome of Mr. MeKinley's medi atoms
may be- What it ought to be he proha-
bly, understands as well as anybody else
But he may be assured that any policy OF
peace without punishment win be ex-
tremely unpopular from end to end of
the United States.