The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-03
The Impending World Crisis.

bailS average kounosg, ls-nlo. eNCtpieut-. aus-o-
The Impending World Crisis.
Assuming that the strength and courage
Of the Chinese army has not been under
estimated and that one battle will clear
the way for the international troops be-
tween Tientsin and Pekin, it is probable
that some time within ten days the poly
glot relief column will be knocking at the
gates of the capital 1t may then rescue
the Ministers and other foreigners and re-
store them to liberty, or it may find that
they have all been massacred. In either
event the bonds Of common sentiment and
interest which now hold the civilized pow
ers united will fall in pieces with the oe-
cupation OF Pekin. They may be able to
agree upon one punitive step. such as the
destruction of the city, but even that is
doubtful.
The international crisis will arise with
the first attempt to settle the question of
war indemnity and security for the future
good conduct Of China. Russia, Germany,
and France. having similar territorial in
terests. may be expected to act together,
and that will involve general adhesion to
the Russian programme, Enthusiastically
will be to weaken Great Britain's position
in the East as much as possible, to ob;Gin
practical control of northern China and
absolute control Of the territory traTersed
by the Russian railway line through Man
churia and the Sting- king peninsuiar to
Port Arthur. and to prevent Japan from
obtaining any foothold on the Chinese
mainland. Naturally, these designs will
be vigorously resisted by Great Britain
and Japan. and less obviously, by the
United States. In point Of fact, we have
no direct concern in the feud which has
been brewing since 1895 between England
and Japan on one hand and the European
Concert States on the ether Intrinsically.
it is cur business to collect our damages.
insist that our former treaty rights in re-
speet of trade shall be guaranteed. and
then retire. 1t is not probable, however,
that We shall be allowed to do SO.
Having marched to Pekin and conducted
war in common with the others, We are
likely to discover that We shall have 20
stick by them when it comes to settling
with the Chinese. To three at least OF
doubtless would appear impolitie to allow
the United States TO make independent
terms. Russia, Germany. and France
would thereby lose too much power over
the subject Of territorial damages. and
China world surely take the chance that
a quarrel among the claimants might de-
feat the claims altogether. But 1t seems
simply impossible that the allies with
their vastly divergent and, in cases, bit
terly antagonistic views. could sit at the
same council board together and reach
any understanding alike satisfactory TO
and conclusive upon all concerned. Yet
we are unable to sec hcw instant trouble
is TO be avoided except it be checked in
advance by the assembling OF an interna
tional congress imbued with a desire to
preserve the peace of christendcm. Even
be postponed briefly. Much of course viii
depend upon the ability of Great Britain
at the moment to back her demands with
armed force. Much also viii depend upon
the preparedness of Japan to enter upon !
the struggle. inevitable at some time, TO |
secure Japanese base in Korea. Finally /
the willingness or otherwise Of the United
States to support its British ally to the 4
extent of war, will be important to the |
results OF the congress.
Judging from present conditions It would
seem safe to say that. from her own view
point. Russia cannot insist upon less than
we have stated above. 1t will then be FIR
Great Britain. the United States. and JaEan
to say whether they will concede the Rus
sian demands or not With the Russian
claims it is probable that those of Ger
many and France will be Jumped. It is not
difficult to predict that an agreement will
be reached, If at all. only by some awk-
ward backing down on the part of one or
the other faction.
1t is clearly the proper policy Of this
Government to exert itself strenuously in
the interests of peaceful solution In the
first place, if our neighbors were to fall
out among themselves and upon each other |
we might whistle for any satisfaction we
could get out Of China single-handed; end, !
in the second. a worlG war. which would |
almost certainly be the consequence of a 4
failure to agree, would amount to crush |
ing calamity to ali mankind. II is an in |
spring sight to see the brave soldiers OF /
America. Japan, England. Germany, Rus
STA, and France marching shoulder to /
shoulder against the barbarians in Pekin.
But the spectacle loses some of its
brillianey when we think that these same
brethren in arms of today may be enemies
and killing one another a month or two
hence.