The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-04
The Chinese Problem.

tn OUR foreign intercourse the dominant ques
tion has been the treatment OF the Chihese
problem Apart from this our relations with the
powers have been happy
The recent troubles in China spring from the
:anti.iorcivn agitation which for the past three
wears has gained strength in the northern pro-
vinccs Their origin lies deep in the character
of the Chinese race and in the traditions of their
government. The TAPPING rebellion and the open.
ing OF the Chinese ports to foreign trade ana
settlement disturbed alike the homoGeneity and
the scclrsion of China.
Meanwhile foreign activity made itself felt IN
all quarters not alone on the coast. but along
the great river arteries and in the remoter dis
tricts carving new ideas and introducing new
associations among a primitive people which had
p,,rsucd for centuries national policy OF isola'
tion.
The telegraph and the railway spreading over
their land. the steamers plying on their water
ways the merchant and the missionary pcnetrat'
ing year by year farther to the interior. became
to the Chinese mind types of an alien invasion.
changing the course of their national life and
fraIght with vague forcbodings Of disaster TO
their beliefs and their sclt-conrol.
For several wears before the present troubles all
the resources of foreign diplomacy, backed by
moral demonstrations of the physical force OF
Hrcts and arms, have been needed to secure due
respect for the treaty rights of foreigners and to
obtain satisfaction from the responsible author.
ties for the sporadic outragcs upon the persons
and property Of unoffendng sojourncrs, which
from time to time occurred at widely separated
points in the northern provinces. as in the case
of the outbreaks in Sze.clmen and Shantung.
Posting Of anti.forcign placards became Il daily
occurrence. which the repeated reprobation OF
the imperial power failed to check or punish.
These intammaory appeals to the ignorance ami
superstition OF the masses. mendacious and absurd
in their accusations and deeply hostile in their
spirit. could not but work cumulative harm.
They aimed at particular class of foreigners;
they were impartial in attacking everything for
cgn.
An outbreak in Sian-tung. in which German
missionaries slain. was the too natural
result OF these macvoent teachings The post
ing of scditious placards, cXhoring to the utter
destruction ot foreigners and of every foreign
thing, continued unrcbukcd. Hostile dcmonstra-
tioiis toward tho stranger gained strength by or.
ganizaton.
The Boxers.
The sect. commonly styled the Boxers. dcvcl.
opcd greatly in the provinces north OF the Yang
Use and with the collusion Of many notable Off
rialS, inclnling some of the immediate councils
"i the throne itself, became allrmingy aggrcs.
siy". y" foreigner. life, outside of the pro.
tcctcd treaty ports. was safe, 40 foreign inter.
est was secure from spolia,ion.
''fhc diplomatic representatives oi the powers in
pckip Nlrovc in vain to check this movement.
rrutGs, was followed by dcnand and demand
hy renewed protest. 10 he met with pcrfunctory
odlicts from ihe palace aud cyasve and futile
assurances from The t-ung-li. .yamen. The circle
of the RoXnr influence narrowed about pckin.
and while nominay Stiginatzed scditiouS, it
was felt that its spirit pclvaded the capital IL
sell, that the imperial forces imbucd with
its doctrines and that the immediate counseors
nj the Empress Dowacer in full sympathy
with the ant.foreign movement,
The increasing gravity Of the conditions in
China and the mmincnce Of peril to our own
diversified interests in the empire, well to
those Of ali the other treaty governments, were
soon appreciated by this government, causing it
profound solicitutlc. The United States from the
earliest days Of foreign intercourse with China
had followed policy Of peace, onitting no or.
casons to testify good will. to further the extern
sion of lawful trade, to respect the sovereignty
of its government and TO insure by all legitimate
and kindly but earnest means the fullest meas.
nrc "f protection for the lives and property OF
nui, lIw'abiding citizens and for the exercise Of
their bcIFfcent callings among Lor Chinese peo.
,arg The Open Door,
Mingk Of This il was felt TO he appropriate
that -.an. purposes should be- pronounced in ia.
ror 81 such, course .ls would hasten united action
oi the powers al Pckn to promote the admins
ing the Imperial government and maintaining
the Integrity N China, in which we believed
thd wliole' western world to he alike concerned.
rocthtse ends caused to he addressed TO the
several powers occupying territory and main
tainilg spheres Of influence in China the crcu.
lar pr9poSals of lsQ9, inviting from them decla-
rations Of their intentions and views Us to lne
desrahity OF the adoption of measures insur-
ing the benefits Of equality OF treatment of all
foreign trade throughout China,
With gratifying unanmty the responses co.
incided ir this common policy, enabling me
TO sea, the successful termination of these me-
eotiaJgs proof Of the friendly spirit which ami.
mat4ia the various powers interested in the nm.
trammsled development OF commerce and indus.
try in, the Chinese empire source oi vast
beneft'to the whole commercial world
In this conclusion, which had the gratihca-
tion 10 announce as a completed engagement to
the"intere5ted powers on March 90, 1900, l hope.
fully ,dlser0ed a potential factor for the abate-
ment sit Ftbe fdisrust OF foreign purposes which
for y pear Ipast had appeared TO inspire the poll
icy of the imperial government, and for the Of.
fectiye eSertion by II OF power and authority TO
quell the critical ti.foreign movement In the
northern provinces most immediately influenced
by the Manchu sentiment.
Seeking 10 testify confidence in the willing.
ness and ability OF the imperial administration
To redress the wrongs and prevent the evils We
suffered and feared, the marine guard which had
been sent 90 Pekin in the autumn Of 1880 for the
'rotectfon OF the legation, was withdraw at