The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-18
The Danger mt Ticntsin


European dispatches new indications I'll al
the entente between the powers, relative
10 the joint operations OF their forces in
Caina. is not as complete as il should be-
II is to be feared that Russia is hamper.ng
Japan in the latters desire to land large
body of troops at Taku. They are ve:y
badly needed If Tientsin is to be held by
the allies. or If even the garrison OF that
place is 10 be freed from the danger o. an
Inhalation. But there is some reason TO.
suspecting that Russia does not put i'm
plicit faith in the assurances of the Jara-
nese Government that it has no territorial
designs on the mainland 10 be promoted by
its military activity, and is one with TIE
United States and Great Britain in dss.r-
ing that the integrity Of the Empire shall
be preserved. Russia is showing dispo-
sition to pin Japan down to definite pledges
before fully consenting 10 the Introduce on
into China of two japanese corps d'aIme S,
as has been proposed.
1t is greatly to be hoped that this ifIi-
Guilty can be disposed of in some satisfac-
tory manner without delay. AS far as we
are able to learn, the allied forces now at
and between Taku and Tientsin, inclusive.
aggregate little over twenty-one thousand
troops of all arms and nations.
The Tientsin garrison has lost In killed
and wounded during the past week pIoba-
bly, a round thousand, and cannot today
number more than fourteen thousand men.
With this small force it is now compelled
10 defend line which was fifteen miles
ir extent before the capture of the native
city on Saturday, and which must now
amount TO twenty miles or more. Reports
which appear to be worthy of credit have
it that the Chinese regulars who massa-
cred the foreigners in Pekin are marching
on Tientsin in large but unknown force.
AS they are trained soldiers, armed with
Mausers and supplied with Krupp guns,
their arrival on the scene in advance o.
civilized re-eaforcements might be fatal 10
the allies holding the town.
AS we pointed out in our evening eii-
ton Of yesterday, the rapid spread OF the
Chinese war movement, which now threat
ems Great Britain at Eongkong, Germany
at kiao-Chou, France in Tonkng. and Rus
sia at Port Arthur and in g..nchuria, rem
ders the question of a large consolidated
allied force for aggressive purposes a DIFF
ficult one. The United States and japan
are the only two important powers which
are without territory TO defend In Cana,
and which are only concerned directly in
protecting their citizens and ayenging the
crime of Pekin. Russia with her enor-
nous military resources may be abe to
throw large army into northern China
in the course of six or eight weeks, but
at present we are afraid that the nee s..
SHY of guarding her railway communica-
lions through Manchuria to Port Arthur
will absorb her entire strength. Great
Britain, France, and Germany are much
in the same boat. The British general
commanding at Eongkong is calling 10 IDLY
for rc-enfcrcements, an army of a nun
dred thousand Chinese regulars is reported
within forty miles of Shanghai, while the
borders of Kiao-Chou and Tonking a:e
already alive with Boxers.
These conditions are CT a nature to
demand serious consideration on the part
OF President Mckinley and his advisers.
Administration opinion seems to be
strangely Indifferent to what they may
involve. We hear it said, for example,
that fifteen thousand troops, all told, which
is the proposed limit of cur contribution
10 zhe allied army. will be ':oportionatel.
more than the United ST: .es should be
asked to furnish ami that, as Congress
would have to be convened to raise more, ii
Will not be exceeded. But suppose that
the war should soon break out violenti,
in the places which other OF the powers are
compelled to defend. and they should not
be able soon to give their pro rata aid in
the operations at Ticntsin and thence to