Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-15
SIXTEEN PAGES
SUNDAY. JULY Is. 1900.
THE DIPLOMATIC SIDE OF 1T.

After Minister Conger has bocn for
month isolated at Pekin; after Amer
lean ships have been sent to Chinese,
waters, American marines landed on
Chinese soil and hurried to battle with
and slaughter at the hands OF over
whelming numbers OF imperial Chinese
regulars; after one detachment OF
troops has been ordered, without sha-
dow of authority. from Manila to
Taku, General dispatched from this
country and troops ordered 10 embark:
when actual war judged by every pre-
cedent and by the facts of bloodshed
and invasion, has been begun with
China, Secretary of State Hay has
really resorted to making representa-,
tions to the Chinese Minister and has
demanded that he open communica-
tions with the Government which he
was sent here TO represent. 1t is
doubtful that the annals of diplomacy.
scanned ever so closely. will reveal any
parallel for this remarkable coup. Not
until Mr.. WI had received dispatch
from his government does 1t seem to
have occurred to Mr.. Hay that as a
Chinaman intimately acquainted with
the conditions in his own country, rs
It's official representative. knowing and
known to every official of Importance
In the empire, it might be possible for
him to communicate with Pckin when
1t was not possible for Minister Congcr.
surrounded by attacking Boxers, to
communicate with Washington Also.
1t does not seem to have been regard
ed as worth while to represent to Mr..
WI that the Pekn authorities would
be held responsible for the safety OF
the Americans at the legation, trusting
10 him to find means of so informing
his Government. Instead there was a
ridicuously inadequate show of force,
serving only to enrage and in no wise
TO awe indictments or officials in
China.
There has been another stroke of d.
plomacy that but for the bloody back
ground of this whole business, and the
lar from reassuring position in which
the country finds itself. would be ri
diculous-this is the note of Secretary
Hay to the Powers defining the posi-
ton of the United States and init
mating an intention TO assume a pro-
tectorate over China. This impudcnt
and irrelevant communication was
made to all the Powers over two weeks
ago, and thus far there has not been
from any one of them even hint that
1t mas peen received. a few days ago
1t was given out that there was much
eiation in Cabinet circles at n mani
Test purpose abroad To follow the Hay
Initiative and to assent to the Hay set
Element OF the whole matter. Now IL
Is confessed that the elation is peterine
out and that more or less we'll de-
fined chagrin is taking its place. MIR.
Hays precipitancy-approve nv the
President-has put the country in y
position where it may either nave to
fight a European coalition or ignomin-
iously and precipitately retire from
that position. The task the Admins
tration has set itself is, in Secretary
Hays own words, to "safeguard for The
World The principle Of cauai aud impartial
trade toifh all parts Of the Chinese En-
pirc." 1t is respectfully submitted that
this is a good sized contract for the
United States to assume to make in
advance for all the parties in interest.
Their silence in the premises is both
natural and easily ineligible. They
are perhaps not yet prepared to con-
cede to this country the paramountcy
assumed in the offhand fashion of Sec
rotary Hay. They are therefore keep
Ing quiet. and watching developments.
Being no fool. 1t is easy to understand
how Mr.. Hay is growing fldgety under
the frigid silence with which this os-