The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-26

UNCLE SAN N CHINA
Influence Second to That of
Any Power.
HISTORY OF A CENTURY
Shows America in All Great
Oriental Affairs.

Since the Boxer uprising in China reach
ed such stage as to compel interference
| by foreigners there have been some criti-
eisms of the conduct OF the United States.
Bishop Cranston and Others have asserted
that the United States is slow to act and
| follows only after other powers have led
the way. The fact as shown by the his
| tory OF the United States and its relations
| with Asia are absolutely the reverse. The
United States has almost always led IN
Asiatic affairs. AS long age. as 1909 the
American navy had its first fight with
Chinese and in Japan and Corea the Unit
ed States has also landed parties TO de-
| mand satisfaction for injuries 10 Ameri-
can citizens.
The chief role Of the United States In
Asia has been as the sponsor for China
Japan. and Corea, as nations. The Unit
ed States was the first nation to make a
treaty with China by which that coun-
try recognized the principles of interna-
! tionsl law, and it was followed promptly
by other nations. An American naval Of
nicer secured the first commercial treaty
with Japan, forced the shotgun TO admit
foreigners to trade. and incidentally
brought about the overthrow of an US
upper and the establishment of the pres
ent liberal government in control. Corea' ;
first treaty was with the United States.
as was that of the King of the Loo ChoO
Isles. The United States in 1884 made the
first treaty with Japan that treated the
Mikado's empire as civilized nation.
Within the last vera Secretary Hay secur-
ed the adoption of an agreement for the
open doors in China by the powers. Some
of the most influential generals. admirals,
and diplomats in the service of the Ash
attic powers have been Americans. 1t Is on
account of these facts that when the pres
ent trouble arose the suggestion was
made in many foreign countries that the
United States should settle the crisis in
China and also because of the known dis
interestedness of the United States. which
has allowed other powers to reap the ter
rtorial advantages that have followed its
action. So, too. the Chinese minister was
not without reason for his suggestion that
the Monroe doctrine be applied 10 China
The first experience OF the Chinese with
Americans grew out of a somewhat SINH
lar state of affairs in the Mediterranean
where the United States suppressed the
Barbary pirates who had been levying
tribute on the ships Of the great nations
without hindrance Chinese waters were
also infested with pirates, against whom
the Europeans had made no determined
resistance, and who were believed to be
in more or less close relations with the
Mandarins, many Of whom either feared
their power or shared their booty. The
most formidable of these pirates was
Apootsae, who was ravaging the Chinese
southeastern coast, capturing the govern
ments forts, laying whole towns under
contribution, and killing those who op-
posed him.
The United States ships, Athualpa, IN
der the command Of Captain Bacon hap
pened along iny1s09 The ship entered the
river at Macao and sent boat crew in
command Of the chief officer ashore to
get pilot The pirate junks stole quietly
up and suddenly rounded the boat, intend
ing to leap on board and kill the crew
When the Americans realized what was
happening they turned their loaded canon
on the Chinese and fought off the board
ers with. their Brown Bess muskets and
boarding pixies The Chinese gave hard
battle. throwing hand grenades on board
The pirates were beaten off. and the de-
feat Of the leader was such blow TO
his prestige that he was afterward be-
trayed by some of his men TIE Man
darins put him to death By the means
known as "the thousand cuts" a slow
and prolonged process OF hacking into
little bits. Captain Bacon's lesson. how
ever taught the Chinese pirates to re-
spect the American flag. and American
trade grew and prospered
The~opium war. which was declared
against China by Great Britain in
1870, was responsible for the opening OF
that nation TO the worlds commerce b.
means Of the treaty ports which we're al
forwards established. That var grew out
Of the attempt Of China to suppress the
smuggling OF opium carried on By the
British to the depletion Of the imperial
revenues To suppress the trade the Chi
nese had recourse 70 force. All strangers
settled in Canton, 275 altogether. were I'M
prisoned. and the British commissioner
/ had 70 purchase his liberty and that %
his fellow-countrymen By the surrender q
1868 chests OF opium. valued at 1905
600 which were Immediately destroyed by
Viceroy Lin. Then followed the opium
war. in which ne United States ala rot
! take part partly because sentiment a.
home would not have approved q the
| indirect cause OF the war
/ But after tire short. sharp struggle II
1857 which resulted in the capture ~ Can
ton b. the aEzd British ard French.
I ths United States was ore ~ TIE powers
! that toined Eith England France. and