Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-18

That the indemnity will be heavy
one goes without saying. Two hum
bred million dollars will probably not
be deemed excessive, and for the pay
raent of this compost garrison may
be maintained at Picking, or various
Chinese sea-ports held by adequate
forces for the payment of the sum adj
judged proper. In this settlement 1t
is probable that China will have no
voice. The powers, by conference or
congress of representatives, will fix the
amount of the bill, and the armies and
navies will see that it is collected. In
addition, whatever government China
is to hereafter have will be required to
give satisfactory guarantees that there
will be no repetition of the trouble now
apparently nearing its end.
AS to the form OF government for the
immediate future of the Empire, that
is question for mature consideration.
One proposition suggested Is that the
powers appoint a Viceroy for each
Province, responsible to general head
at Peking, to be named by the powers,
and that in case of vacancy in any
Viceroyship the remaining Viceroys
nominate and elect a successor, sub
ject to the approval or veto of the gen.
eral head of the government. This
would ensure, to certain extent, in
ternational control of the country, and
with the Viceroys responsible for the
peace and good order and proper gov
eminent of their territory, China might
not only have peace, but large degree
of prosperity, and be enabled to make
decided strides in the way Of progress
To hand over the country to the young
emperor, or to permit the Dowager
Empress, the anti-foreign Prince Taun,
or any one of A4s many followers to
have a share in the administration of
affairs would only be to leave off where
the powers began, and to invite con-
tinuance of the anti-foreigu sentiment
and a repetition of past disorders.
There must be change, and a 1eclded
one, and to bring it about will afford
much opportunity for international
conference. Earl Lii Hung Chang
would, perhaps, be the best selection
of a native ClliDa.nan to take control
of affairs. lie has seen the world and
knows it and its power; he has been in
close touch viii. civilization, he S pro
gressive far beyond the almost count
less millions of his ccuntfymcn AMI
might, in the few remaining years of
his life, for he is now eighty-three,
point the way to advancement, peace
and more general prosperity than
his native land has ever known.
AS to the dangers of partition, it is
difficult now to speak intelligently or
authoritatively. That some of the ma
lions desire slice of China is undoub-
ed. Russia would take Manchuria
could she do so without war. Eng
land and Germany would not object
to an enlargement of spheres OF in
fuence, and France would not object to
some territory adjoining Ton-quin.
Japan appears to be satisfied and yet,
if there is to be any cutting of the
Chinese pie, she would insist upon
Corea, and is strong enough to he en-
titled to great respect. The jealousies
aroused over the proposed landing of
British troops at Shanghai point to
this danger of a disagreement among
the nations, but this element of discord
may blow over, with a firm stand by
England, the United States and Japan.
The main point at immediate issue,
however, the rescue of the legationers
and those with them, has evidently
been accomplished and in most salts
factory manner. The rest will require
good judgment, an accord of action,
and a disposition and intent on the
part of each Of the powers to treat all
the others fairly and justly. That this
will be the result is devoutly to be
| wished.