The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-15

The general opinion in diplomatic ClrcisS
here and abroad now is that Russia has
been squeezed out of the position she
took in reference to her proposed evac-
uation of Pekin. to be followed by the
United States. and will now leave aer
troops in the capital. since these of Great
Britain Germany. France. Austria, and
Italy are not to be withdrawn. If Rus
STA backs down from the scuttling policy,
no doubt this country viii follow suit,
and realign itself with the powers. that
Il may be possible to arrive at a COM
mon understanding and a common settle
ment with China.
But. should this point be reached safe
ly. there is reason to expect that Mr.. Nc
Kinley's precipitancy in recognizing the
credentials and authority of Ii Hung
Chang may prove to be another difficult
ty in the way of a general and har-
monious solution. This danger is shown
in the terms of the alleged Russian Ul-
timatum to China If the report is cor
rect, Russia has made it d ccndi ion
precedent to peace that the Emperor
Kwang Hsu shall be restored TO the
throne and power; that the Empress
Dowager shall be excluded from particle
patton or influence in governmental af-
fairs, and that Prince Tuan Shall be ar
rested and punished. Now, everybody
must see that these demands are not only
reasonable in themselves. but that they
are necessary and must be compl ed with
if there is to be any hope of a lasting
peace.
1t may be urged that Russia is disiE-
genucus in making conditions to which
the present imperial authority would OF
consent But that consideration nay be
dismissed. in the face of a certainty
that the very issue in question must BE-
made to demonstrate the already TO-
torious fact that there is no longer a
Government in China with which the
powers can deal. with any sort of guar
antee that a settlement would settle any
thing
And here is where we think that Mr.
Mckinley has msde mistake in jumping
to the conclusion that Ii Hung Changes
credentials are regular ond sufIlcient to
render il safe for the United States to treat
with him as the fully authorized plenipo-
Tertiary of China The Administration
hardly had recovered its breath, after tax.
ing this action. than it heard that Prince
Ching and General Yung Lu had been as
ISOLATED with Ii, with equal powers as
peace ENJOYS. But, whether we and the
other Interested parties are to be con-
fronted with one or three or two dozen
Chinese commissioners, it behooves US and
our allies to enquire into the character
of his or their power and authority to
bind the Government of China.
In the absence of determination on
the part OF Mr.. Mckinley TO recognize
anything with slant eyes and pig tail
who could help him TO a color Of excuse
for scuttIing out of the Chinese Empire.
it is not conceivable that he or even his
amateur advisers would think of accepting
such man as Ii Hung Chang as repre-
senting anything but himself, as matters
stand. His position cannot be better than
that of the authority behind him. and who
or what is that authority? Is i. the EN-
press Dowager? She is VIGOROUSLY a usur-
per who holds the legal ruler Of China
a dose prisoner. Even If she were de
juru the sovereign. her acts would lie of
no effect since it is believed that she, in
turn, is kept under physical duress b.
Tuan. Boxer chief and her co-conspi.a-
tor in the murder of Baron Won KetteIcr
and TIE attack upon The legations. The
young Emperor himself is powerless to
confer binding authority upon anyone
Whatever he does is do2e under force and
is without legal value. In short, there is
no cognizable Government in China, and
the Chinese Peace Commission is a pre-
tence and a fraud
AS far as We can see the only course the
powers can pursue in the circumstances is
to first agree upon what they intend 20
demand OF China, and then 10 set up
Government 10 which they can present
their joint claim, and which they can COM
pei TO acoede to it. The United States
might well Join in such an arrangement.
Al least that would be better than aiding
Russia's ultimate game to dfgmember the
Empire with ;he aid CT France. There is a
Possibility now that good diplomacy on
the part {: the United States, Great Brit
ain. and Japan, might be able to sac the
territorial integrity Of China. and con-
serve the open door. But the Ii Hung
Chang and seattle plan could only result
in TIE breakup Of the Empire. Then we
should find Russia firmly entrenched in
,danckuria, England IN the Yangtse VAL
ley. Germany in possession Of shantung.
France expanded far beyond her present
Boundaries in Tonquln and Italy and Aus
trla with q port and hinterland apiece. All
the territories named would be no longer
chi4es,. and, respectively. Russian, Brit
fish, German, French. Austrian, and Italian.
They would no more present the c9en door
to ue than the home territories OF the Eu-
rocsan States 90, OF than We offer to the
latter under our prohibltIye tariff system.
Thsg would laugh at cur old treaties of
commerce with China. ans tel US 10 show
our consistency by taking our tariff sign
from of our own door in he Philippines.
Our oniy chs=sce 20 save the future of
American trt-ss n China IL now, and that
change can only Is utilized through se-
ssirirg a ospmca psor-aaieie and acton at
feiSil. Ii We sut5ls the is IS w. We