New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-12
DANGER AT SHANGHAI.
BRITISH TROOPS TO LAND IN
SPITE OF PROTESTS.
Ii HUNG CHANG AND OTHER SOUTH
ERN VICEROYS ASK THIS GOV.
ERNMENTS GOOD OFFICES.
IBx TELEGRAPH TO THE TB1BUNB.l

Washington, Aug 1.-THE apathy of the
Washington Government to the danger of the
permanent closing of the chief commercial door
OF China continues to excite the wonder Of the
Continental Powers. The reasonable doubts
which were expressed in The Tribune a week
ago to-day in first disclosing England's remark
able assumption of supreme domination Of the
great Yangtse basin have been wholly re-
moved by the frank admission that British
troops are forthwith to occupy Shanghai against
the united protests of the southern Viceroys and
the foreign consuls including the American
Consul-General and in violation of a promise
giveI. by all the Powers six weeks ago. The
United States was a party to this promise, and
in fact led the maritime nations in making it.
tending to strengthen the American policy
OF the open door. and particularly timely in
giving the Powers incentive to harmony Of
action against Peking and averting the danger
OF dividing the international forces into spheres
Of influence and eventual dismemberment
1t is sure that British troops once landed at
Shanghai are extremely unlikely to be with
drawn in the present generation. The occupa-
tion of Shanghai would not be feasible for
instant without the possession OF the Woo-Sung
forts and the great Chinese arsenal, any more
than Tien-Tsn would be tenable to the allies
with the Taku forts in Chinese hands. The first
move to touch the Woo-Sung forts will be the
of China. and England will then have the op-
portunity Russia has already found in Manchu-
ria. There is a well defined impression in dipIo-
matte circles here that the advance of the Rus
slams on New-Chwang and the fighting in Man
churia gave England the idea Of starting sim
ilar movement in the Yangtse country.
The announced purpose Of England merely to
preserve peace is ridculed all Sides for it is
well known that peace has been effectively
Inv Iy4oa
that has surprised the Powers and ELECTED their
frank admiration.
UNITED STATES ASKED TO MEDIATE
Minister WI took to the State Department
this morning a petition from Ii Hung Chang
and all the influential southern viceroys, ask
ing the United States to its good offices to
induce the foreign Powers not to land forces at
Shanghai. It is represented that the Viceroys
have fully carried out their part OF the agree
nent for the preservation of order, and have
not interfered with the protection Of the for
eign concessions by the foreign authorities. It
is pointed out however that this protection can
best be exercised by united action of all the
governments, without the landing OF troops by
any one or more Of them, and as an evidence
that this protection is ample at present. it is
said that twenty foreign warships in the
offng 1t is understood that the actual land
ing OF troops has not yet occurred. but that
a British force is on the way from India
with that object in view
The agreement which is being violated by
Great Britain was made the last day of June
after the Viceroys had proposed formal treaty
of nine articles in which they undertook to
protect all foreigners in their jurisdiction
and assumed responsibility for their safety un-
der guarantees that the foreign forces there
should not be increased. Several nations ia
vored the treaty. but the United States. quickly
followed by England, set the example Of giving
the Viceroys positive assurances that no more
ships or troops would be sent to their provinces
30 long they suppressed the Boxer agitation
and protected foreigners. All the Powers Joined
in this and in consequence the southern Vice
roys held aIoof from the Peking authorities
and have continually exerted their influence to
save the Ministers. They have also preserved
the peace Of their provinces In return they are
now apparently to be treated to an exhibition Of
the manner in which civilized Christian nations
keep promises and look out for their own in
tsrests.