The evening times., 1900-06-18
LANDING TROOPS IN CHINA.
Mr.. Kasson Says This Country Has
the Right.

John A Kasson. ex-United States Min
lister to Austria. who was in Washington
yesterday. and who is regarded as an au-
thority on international law. when asked
his opinion as to the right OF the United
States to land troops in China. said:
The United States would be warranted
in landing unlimited force on Chinese
soil if it is developed that the Chinese
Government is unable to protect the sane
tity Of the American Legation aud the
person OF its minister
According TO every principle of interna-
tonal law, the person OF foreign minis
ter or representative snd the legations Of
foreign representatives, are regarded as sa-
cred by all civilized nations. and / can
not believe the Tumored depreciation upon
every legation at Pekfn.
international law permits US TO land a
force in China sufficient to protect Ameri-
can property and interests from threaten
ed attack II the Chinese Government
maintains friendly relations with US that
Government is authorized to fix the limit
upon the force We are to land. On the
other hand. should China be unable to sup
ply force capable OF assisting Us in pro-
tecting our rights, or II the Chinese Gov
erEnent should be in coilusion or in sym
pathy with the enemies attacking Amerl-
can interests. we would be justified in re-
gardlng such an act as a declaration Of
war. and we would be justified in landing
an unlimited force to defend our rights
I cannot conceive such condition of
affairs. ! cannot realize that either China
or Russia would sanction or participants
IN any depreciation upon American inter
ests in China In the first place. China
has always eVineed most friendly regard
Tor the United States. for IL Will be re-
membered that q was our Government
that first Introduced China into the dipio-
matte society OF civilized nations. We
furnished her with a Minister. an able
and accomplished diplomat. who taught
her the first steps in conducting foreign
affairs with the great nations OF the globe.
Russia also has cOurted the friendship
OF the United States. and now that we
are considered the world over as one OF
the greatest nations OF the earth the Car
Is less liable to perTait or sympathize with
any act Of hostility. direct or Implied,
against our Government
1t is possible that the Boxers. who are.
as II has been stated. a !awless. savage
race. may have surprised the Chinese
Government and committed depredaIions
before the Chinese Government was able
10 muster its troops TO defend the repre-
sentatives OF foreign nations within its
bOrdcTs-
II Is not possible. in my judgment that
China would put herself in the attituds Of
practically declaring war against all the
great powers Of Europe and the United
States by permitting the destruction OF
foreign embassies and the murder OF for
eign Ministers. II IL should develop that
China is unable 20 prot TT the sanctity Of
the foreign legations at Pekin or in any
other part OF the Chinese EmSire, do not
hesitate TO say that ! believe the Chinese
Government would gladly permit the
United States and the other powers 20
come to her assistance and allow them 10
land an unlimited force 10 safeguard the
lives and property OF her foreign guests. q"