The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-19
TUESDAY, JUNE 10. 1900.
rHE CHINESE CRISIS.

+; The revolt OF the Boxers in China Is
against the tide of Western civilization.
which has been creeping slowly but surely
into China There Is an irreconcilable
conflict between the ideas of Western CIVIL
tzation and Christianity on the one hano,
and Chinese civilization and their theories
land practices of religion on the other.
aaany thousands of years have fixed upon
the Chinese people opinions which cannot
Immediately be removed. Their preference
Tor government is for tbs autocratic kind.
and they cannot understand republican in
1titutions. AS between the English and
American idea Of government and the
Russian, they would prefer the Russian
as more in harmony with their antece-
dents. The INSCRIPTIONS and never rest
Ing character of Russian diplomacy ex-
cites the admiration Of the Chinese, as it
has aroused the deepest anxiety in the
minds of Western diplomatists. The rapid
development of Siberia, and especially the
recent construction of the Trans-Siberian
Railroad, has brought Russia.s interests
more than ever approximate and Deepen
dent upon China. The original route OF
the Siberian Railroad did not touch China
at all, but came across on the northern
line and then down southerly to Niadi-
Nostock A very much more preferable
route was the more direct line from east
Of Lake Raikel across Manchuria to
Nladivostock. and not only has this point
been gained, but Russia has settled itself
firmly upon the Gulf of Pe-Chili, and the
route across Manchuria is now practically
assured. The enormous advantage that
Russia has thus secured is apparent to
eii, and 1t Is well known that wherever
Russia plants her power the territory and
the people acquired are for Russia excln-
sively. They have no toleration for free
trade, and high protective tariff is their
settled policy. Should Russia secure the
control of China it would be to the exclu-
zion. as FAR as possible. of every other
country. The ''opeu door would become
the CLOSED door: the form of Christian
religion TO be taught would no longer be,
as now, Roman Catholic. and the various
denominations Of the Protestant Churches.
but il would be exclusively the Greek Or
.hodox Church All this as soon as Russia
could accomplish it.
Seeing the distress and weakness of
and the leases and spheres of in
auence'' secured by other countries, Eng
land. Germany. France, and even Italy.
MIR. Hay most wisely and promptly-and
none too soon-secured written assurance
from all the treaty powers of the world.
who were in any way involved, that the
rights which had been secured TO the
United States under treaty with China
should in all events he respected. This
was before the Boxer instruction. Now
tracing internal commotion. and it has
become necessary for foreign countries TO
protect the very lives of their ambassa-
doris, and armed forces of the Western
nations have been landed and are now
marching upon Peliin, II becomes of the
utmost Importance for the American peo-
sie to know both what their rights and
what their interests are. and to take such
steps as may be necessary 10 enforce the
one. and. as far as possible. safeguard the
other.
One thing is plain. and that is that 1t is
20 our interes; 20 work with England and
Germany and Japan. and, if possible, with
France Though she will not count as the
others). against the imperial design Of
Russia. I; Will be a world crisis when the
Teutonic races. with their ideas OF per-
sonal liberty on the one hand. are con-
tronted by the ssiavonic and the Monaghan
on the other. with China as the prize
France. from jealousy and hatred Of both
England and Germany. and rom treaty
alliances with Russia. will probably ex-
pee; more from Russia's success than LON
Teutonic asccndency. There can be no
toue. 10 any thoughtful mind that IT is
to the interest OF the world that Russia
ehoula no: absorb China and peYpe,nafA