Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-23
TW ELVE PAGES.
FRIDAY, NOV. %, 1900.
IN CASE OF PARTITION.

Discriminating observers have been
Of the opinion from the first that the
exchange of notes by the Powers hav-
ing forces in China, their statement of
alleged purposes, their professed devo-
ton to Chinese territorial integrity and
all the rest OF it, was mere diminishing
for position. preparatory to the final
scramble. when tho empire should go
to pieces under outside pressure and
internal disorders The persistent raid
ing, killing, looting and burning While
ostensibly conducting peace negotia-
tions. the eXtravagant demands for in
demnity limited at, and the highhanded
execution of Chinese officials have lat
terly added weight to this conclusion.
1t is useless to deny that this brings
the United States face to face with
situation full of grave possibilities. 1t
is equally useless to cry over split milk
or to say that we should have held
aloof from the Infamous conspiracy
against China from the outset. We
did not do it, and are jointly RESPONSE
BILE for present conditions. At no time
since the trouble began has the posi-
ton of the United States been so pre-
carious as at present. The administra-
ton has committed the nation TO the
protection and preservation of its trade
interests, and has made it, in a meas
ure. the guardian of Chinese territorial
integrity, through the open door pol
Icy and notes to the several Powers.
In pursuance of this policy our troops
have been Withdrawn from China, and
peaceful negotiations for Il settlement
of claims growing out of the Boxer
riots have been begun.
The other Powers have not pursued
30 pacific n course. They have contin-
ued their aggressions. piling UP the
while larger demands for indemnity.
Their real object. and the probable
outcome, is the partition of Chinese
territory. In the face OF partition,
what Is the United States to do? Par
tition would mean at once the loss of
any chance of getting indemnity for
the Boxer outrages and the destruction
of all treaties guaranteeing our trade
rights in China. The only alternative
to this would be for the United States
to abandon its position and go in for Il
share of territory, in lieu of trade
rights and indemnity--for of course it
is not in position to resort to force
in maintenance of the open door and
the integrity of China
In such case there is very little doubt
as TO what the administration will do
1t Will demand and get n share of Chi
nese territory. 1t interprets the recent
Republican victory as a license to in
diligence in unlimited jingoisn, as an
endorsement of the mailed fist" as an
instrument of territorial and CONNER
cial expansion. Mr.. Mckinley Will
scarcely have the hardihood to run
counter to the military mania of the
screaming 3ingocs and the rapacity OF
the INSCRIPTIONS fiscal interests that
contributed so largely to his re-clec-
ton. Each of these would, for diff
ferent reasons. demand that the United
States take its share OF territory, If
partition becomes inevitable. The
chances are therefore, not bad that
before the country is through with this
business it Will find itself possessed OF
twenty-five million or so Chinese sub
jects.