The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-10-02
CHINA,s FUTURE.

The withdrawal of the Russian troops
from Pekin is now an accomplished fact
1t will be followed by the disappearance
of the American soldiery, and, in the
progress of events, by that Of the other
powers, in all probability, within few
weeks.
All danger of a clash among the powers
or of any such action by any of them as
would precipitate the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
the empire or lead to serious complica-
tons among themselves, appears now to
have passed. Whatever events may pro-
duee within the next year in China. the
drastic programme of the German en-
peror or any policy toward China dictated
by such a spirit is not at all likely to be
put into effect in the present crisis.
All present danger of ACKNOWLEDGMENT
being asst, and the imperial authorities
being thoroughly committed to the pun
ishment of those who melted to the
murders and outrages that have been
to the insulted powers, much more i'm
| portant questions will at once arise con-
corning the administration of Chinese
affairs
Chinese authority Is now confronted
once more with the choice between prog
ress and retrogression. If the reigning
dynasty should consiter itself at liberty
| to pursue the courses thus far resorted to
! ho y TO
| the internal resources of the empire are
not made available to the trade of the
world by native authority and native
energy they will be made available by
foreign influence. No amount of evasion
Will cover up the potential fact that what
Europe is after in China is trade and
territory Trade must be developed.
Territory may Or may not in the progress
Of events pass into the ownership of for
eign powers by purchase, conquest or
otherwise. But further substantial delay
or hindrance on the part of the Chinese
to throwing the empire open to foreign
trade will be resented in such manner as
must be followed by the most serious con-
sequences not only to China itself, but
to the whole world.
Whatever the real present purpose of the
several powers in China may be will in
that event soon manifest itself. Such
powers as Germany and probably Japan
and France will insist on having the
resources of the empire thrown open to
the commerce and industry of the world
The United States is certain to go far
enough at least to insist upon no un-
reasonable restraints being thrown
around the commercial enterprise of this
people, and upon the most absolute pro-
lection to Americans sojourning in the
empire, both with reference to person
and property. In case the theories of
Russian conduct advanced should prove
to be well-founded, and that that nation
is anxious to secure for itself some spe-
cial privileges inconsistent with the full
est utilizat ton of the resources of the
empire, it will be compelled to stand
virtually alone. unless by insistence upon
any such policy 1t should incur the re-
sistance of the other powers, in which
event the great war so generally pre-
dicted at the outset of the recent troubles
is certain to take place.
The future of China now rests with the
Chinese people and their rulers. If they
are willing to accept the inevitable,
China ay yet rise to the realization of
the splendid national future which has
SO long awaited her. Nothing that has
thus far been realized by the Japanese
Will equal the grand era of progress and
development which will ensue in China,
If in this great crisis G. its affairs the
country throws off the trammels of
superstition and national arrogance,
which have fastened upon it's people their
present burdens of ignorance and pov-
erty.