The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1900-09-29

of wreaking vengeance upon tnat
empire, for wrongs real or imag-
mary, cannnt be questioned. 1t is
to our credit that our position diff
fered somewhat from the spectac-
ular attitude assumed by the Ger
man emperor.
Yet we do not conceive that our
whole duty was discharged when
our minister was rescued from a
periIous situation. That Germany's
minister CHANGED to be killed while
ours CHANGED to survive, are two
facts merely incidental to the Grim
inal course permitted, if not ac-
tually participated in, by power
towards the representatives of ma
tions with all. of which that power
was at peace. The absolute disre-
gard Of every article OF interna-
tional law was exhibited equally
in the case of all the powers repre-
sented.
From the very inception of the
trouble it has been conceded by all
that, for the indignities to our
government, suffered in the person
of its minister, for the murder of
American citizens and the destruc-
ton of American property, for the
fragrant disregard. not only of the
laws governing intercourse be-
tween states, but for the gTaver
offense of the violence done the
treaty obligations of solemn COM
pacts, full and and ample apology
and reparation must be demanded.
National prestige, if nothing else
actuated, would compel this course
of any administration, Republican
or Democratic.
China is recognized by the ma
tions OF the world as occupying
unique position among them. Gov
like individuals, must
adapt their conduct to the peculiar
character of those with whom they
deal. What might be proper IN
our transactions with other peo-
pies, become inexpedient in treat
ing with the Chinese. Tney re-
spect nothing SO much as a show
Of force, and to send several thous-
and American soldiers there, and
then to withdraw them before
tending to u settlement
nave assumed any tangible shape,
is to invite their contempt for US
n present negotiations and enter a
Did for trouble hereafter. h
The existing status is as chaotic
Is Chinese diplomacy can possibly
make it, and the withdrawal Of h
,ur troops in the very face of the
appointment of the chief devil of
he whole disturbance to a position /
which makes him really the most t
parsonage with whom s
We have to deal. in treating for +
for outrages instigated {
" himself, appears unwise, al 4
most absurd. +
The line of demarcation between !
demand for satisfaction for out t
ages upon our government and c
Is citizens, and acts of revenge in
ind. is too clearly defined to per- i
nit of its being befogged by poll r
icians for mere party purposes. +
his government should formu- O
ate and present its demands, and
ut withdraw a single soldier until |
atisied beyond question that COM '
'liance will be speedily made and q
all repatriation promptly accorded. '
1t has not been great while q
ince Ii Hung Chang was exhaust
no the resources of his fertile /
nind in attempting to prevent the v
march of the allied troops to Pc t
In. He then promised anything /
n order to prevent that sacrilege. r
'oday, he, Tuan and the empress \
re prepared to promise anything, t
these troops will only march t
way. To comply with these re-
uests would be u weakness which
70 hope at least will not be exhib- t
ted by all the powers. To do SO |,
7ouId be to inaugurate another +
cries of murders, tortures and g
Dotings, by comparison with a
Which the first might seem mild t
ess itself. t
1t is only necessary to show such o
government that it must pay n
early for such abuses, and that +
he penalty will be inexorably en- |,
creed, without needless delays or g
k...Qs-r..