The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-11
Circulation Statement.
The Decision to scuttIe.

istration. and to admit that its FEAR OF
domestic consequences, in a partisan /
sense. excuse it for an evident desire
10 scuttle out of China in any way pcssl-
BILE. it must also be seen that the policy
adopted by Mr.. Mckinley in Selling
upon the first excuse to recognize Ii
Hung Chang as the accredited peace en-
yoy of the Chinese Government, and in
preparing to treat independently with
him for a truce and peace, is open to
serious criticism.
We think so because Ii Hung Chang
represents the anti-foreign Empress
Dowager. who VIGOROUSLY. through sue
cessive imperial edicts. has melted the
Boxer movement, approved and reward
ed the authors of its atrocities, decreed
the butchery of American and other for
eign missionaries, decrced the extermi-
nation of all foreigners in the Empire, and
inspired and ordered the attempt to mas
sacre the Ministers and inmates of the
legations in Pekin Recognition of Ii Hung
Chang Involves the committal of this coun-
try to conformation of the crimes of this
she-deYil and her restoration to power;
for it is from her alone that the Chinese
reace envoy derives his authority.
Until the stupid diplomatic blunder of
the United States in agreeing to back the
Russian coup was made. the general pur-
pose of the powers, heretofore in appar-
ent harmony, was to set up the suppress
ed Emperor Kwang Hsu or some other
legitimate prince and to make terms
Of peace with a Chinese Government
which might be presumed able and
willing to give satisfaction TO the out
ragged states of Europe. America, and
Asia. and under their friendly tutelage.
restore order and guarantee foreign
lives. property. ami trade for the future.
M this prospect was destroyed by the
American amateur diplomacy embodied in
rhe american compact. Up TO the
time when that ridiculous diplomatic mis-
fake was committed it was admitted in
Washington. as well as elsewhere, that
the only hope of a satisfactory solution
of the Chinese question lay in the united
and harmonious action of all the parties
TO the war of invasion. Our State De-
psrtment understood and acted upon the
presumption that a settlement could only
be reached by a conference of the inter
ested powers. and the formulation Of a
single Joint bill OF damages. 1t was fully
admitted that for any single State to act
independently in negotiation with. China
would spoil the chance for sane settle
rneut with that barbarian Government. II
was also tacitly understood that Russia
would be benefited by the establishment
of conditions which would preclude gen.
cral settlement to the terms of ~hich she
would have to become party.
It was at this point that the shrewd and
deep Muscovite diplomacy scored against
the powers. with the fatnous assistance Of
M McKinley's ad interim amateur diplo
mats NJ de Wollant, Russian Charge
dAffaires in Washington, certainly de-
serves the Collar OF ST. George for his
brilliant play in drawing the Administra-
ton into his baited trap. II the response
bic heads of the State Department had not
been absent from their posts. we doubt if'
he would have tried what he did so sue
cessfully. AS it happened. his schems
worked to perfection, and he was able to
commit the United States to an engage
ment which has made it automatically
ridiculous. and one defensive of American
interests in China and destructive OF
American prestige and influence in the Far
East
France has suggested the policy that
ought to have been followed. as represent
ing a minimum of force necessary to i
solution. The French Government an
nornees its willingness TO retire from
Pekin. but only after satisfactory pre-
IImiraries OF peace have been arranged.
Unlesz we wish to leave ourselves out In
the cold. that also should be our minimum.
As The Times has repeatedly urged, a re-
treat OF the United States forces from
Pekin in advance OF a settlement with
china-which. to be effective, should be
common settlement with all the invading
powers-wouid imbue the Chinese with the
iueradicable idea that the Americans had
been whipped and driven out of the coun-
try. Aside from that consideration, wa
know that the Chinese Government viii
fight hard against the pecuniary punish
ment which will be imposed. and that sur
render will only be made to the imms-
date force maieure. With Russia and the
United States out Of the way, that will
be the joint force Of Great Britain, Ger
many. France, Austria and Italy. Those
powers conformity viii impose terms and
conditions which viii ignore the inter
osts If non-participating States, and viii
leave the Chinese helpless to satisfy the
claims OF the latter And, it may be added.
the adjustment Of those claims may be Of
. character impossible to realize without
disrupting the agreement between Chlua
and the European powers dealt with on
:he ground.
In other words, if this country, or is
Administration, ever had an idea OF really
collecting damages from China. or of safe
guarding the lives and property OF its
citizens, and the future Of it's commerce
with the Empire. its obvious policy would
have been TO play waiting hand, to pro-
mote Instead OF disrupting the concord
as il has, and TO trust TO common inter-
national action to protect its interests
rTd secure punitive damages for its out
ragged flag and citizens.
But no. VIC are sorry 10 be forced to
the conclusion that the Administration
has deliberately determined to sacrifce
all such advantages. in view of the ext
gencies of domestic politics. The official