The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-28
Administration Consistency.

exploitation, postage stamps, cabbages,
and executive elemency in moonshine
cases just before election, for the treach-
erous and untried ground of amateur
diplomacy. are very much exercised be-
cause the press of two continents is in
clIned to make light of their achieve
ments in international politics and to say
that their course in handling the Chinese
crisis has been inconsistent
The Administration press is agitated
over the subject. 1t asserts that the
State Department is surprised that any
doubt should be cast upon the remarkable
consistency of its policy and conduct,
from the time that NJ Mckinley refused
to strengthen the legation guard in Pekin
in May TO the present time. But, two
people who might be supposed to repre-
sent State Department opinion, in tech
meal sense, are not at all astonished.
They are Colonel Hay, who has religious
" absented himself since the Mckinley
wabbling began, and DR.. David Jayne Hill.
who has avoided Identification with the
amateur diplomacy of Root. Smith. ct
ais. as much as possible. and has done
what ne has been compelled to do in that
connection as one who swallows bitter
potion of toads liver and gall.
But we must take note of the amaze
ment exhibited by the War. Agricultural.
Postal. and Judiciary officials who form
Mr. Mckinleys Tsung-li- Yamen, and in
vestigate its causes. On doing so, We are
hound TO confess that it is well founded;
because, from their own point of view
these TaIleyrands. Metternichs and Bis
marcks really have been as consistent as
the needle is true to the pole or Hanna
and his White House delegate are TO the
trusts They have been consistent and
Mr.. Mckinley has been consistent in
their joint Chinese policy, in the sense
that they have consistently evaded.
lodged. wabbled, and turned tail from
first TO last.
The Administrations claim to consist
eacy rests upon its alleged adherence TO
the terms of Secretary Hays note TO the
pow srs of July 3, 1890. Let us consider
thai note in the light of events subse-
quent to its PRONUNCIATION. 1t began with
the statement that. in this critical pos
ture of affairs in China. it is deemed ap-
propriate to define the attitude of thu
United States as far as present circum-
stances permit this to be done" Then it
goes on to define that attitude:
1--WE adhere to the policy initiated by us in
1851 Of peace with the Chinese nation, OF
Iurtheranee OF lawful commerce, and of protec-
tion Of lives and property Of our citizens by ali
means guaranteed under extTa-terTitorial treaty
rftr and bE he law Of
done TO our citizens. sc propose to hold the
responsible authors to the uttermnst account
ability"
The foregoing we may regard as the
omnibus clause of the pronunciamento.
II will be seen that it is strong and COM
prehensIve. It pledges the honor and force
of the United States to the protection
OF the lives and property of American citi-
gems 1t promises the world that those
who wrong them shall be held TO the ut
termost accountability We shall see,
presently, how these pledges have been
kept At the time the note was written
the Administration was on notice that the
American Legation in PekiD, in common
with the Legations of other powers. had
been attacked, and that our Minister and
all foreigners in the capital were in i'm
minent danger OF massacre. 1t was also
aware that large number of Americans
including women and children, were
threatened with the fate that afterwart
overlook them at Paoting-fu. shan-si, ant
other places All of the prescriptions and
e-idences were that these outrages had
been planned and were being executed by
the responsible Chinese Government in
Pekin. But Mr.. Mckinley did not dare &c
act upon his information upon that point
Late in June II was announced that II
the responsibility OF the Chinese Govern
ment should be conceded, that would be
tantamount to recognition Of state OF
war" and that, in turn, would render ii
necessary TO convene Congress in extraor-
binary session. So the convenient fiction
was adopted that the Chinese Government
was not responsible, but was overawed
and paralyzed by a Boxer" rebellion
which it was trying TO suppress; and that
Il was Boxers" who we're trying ia
massacre the legationers. In defiance Of the
constituted authorities of the Empire
Therefore Mr. Hays note said:
eve regard the condition at Pekin as 0
virtual anarchy whereby powes and responsi
bility practically devoved upon the provin
cial authorities. So long as tiey not il
overt collision with rebellion and theil
power TO protect foreign life and property, VI
regard them as representing the Chinese peo
pie, with whom seek TO remain in peace anC
friendship"
In what manner have the POLICY and
course OF the Administration been con-
sistent with this second declaration? Al
far as the letter is concerned II must be
admitted that they have been consistent. al
the sacrifice 81 national dignity. honor
ard interests. The note recognized the
southern viceroys as the only tangible
Government 10 be found in China Wher
the legations were relieved, Minister Con.
ger. bscked in his statements by all Of hi
colleagues. reported that the Government
OF the Empress Dowager and Prince Tuar
in Pekin had been In full control Of thu
Empire at all times during the distur-
Dances, mad ordered the massacre OF th'
Ministers and all foreigners in the capital
had ordered the massacres OF Americans
at Paoting-fu and shan-si, and had beer