The sun., 1900-06-20
Il China at War With tho United
states?

Il China at War With tho United
states?
The news from the seat OF the insur-
rection in northeastern China continues
to be vague, conflicting and unofficial.
As to what has taken place In Pekin during
the last eight days We know nothing except
by rumor. There Is no doubt that the
relief force under the British Admiral.
SEYMOUR. which started to protect the
legations in the Chinese capital. has had
to turn back to Ten-Tsin. but whether the
retreat was owing TO lack Of food and
ammunition or to the resistance offered
by superior military force is as yet un-
known. 1t Is undisputed that the Taku
forts. early on Sunday. June II. fired on
certain foreign warships. and were sub
sequently taken. but. as yet. We know not
with certainty from which side the first
provocation came. or whether an American
vessel was among the warships fired upon.
Under the circumstances 1t Is impossible
to say what the precise status Of China Is
In the eye Of international law with regard
to the foreign Powers that took part In the
attack upon the forts. or with reference
to the United States in particular. One
can only suggest hypothetical views based
on assumptions which, tomorrow. may
turn out TO be wholly or partially un-
founded
Let us. for the sake Of argument accept
Professionally as correct the report sent
from Shanghai to the London Times. Ac-
cording TO this correspondent. on Saturday.
June IS. the commanders Of certain foreign
warships off the mouth Of the Peiho River
held council In view Of the large bodies
of Chinese troops assembled at the Taku
forts and Of the facts that topedoes had
been laid in the river and that all COM
munications with Pekin and even Ten-Tsin
were interrupted. the council decided to
send an ulumatum calling for the removal
Of the troops. and announcing that II this
demand were not complied with before
an early hour OF the following day the
united feet would destroy the forts
Shortly after midnight the forts opened
fire. The result Of the action was that
two Of the forts were blown up and the
rest were carried by assault.
Now. IL this report be correct. the
provocation came from the Chinese COM
mander Of the Taku forts. The members
Of foreign legations in Pedn were known
to be in danger. The right Of the Powers.
whose representatives they are, to rescue
them was indisputable Such rescue would
be difficult. II not impossible. were the
sailors and marines Of the foreign warships
and the soldiers on board Of transports
collected in the Gulf Of Pechili to be pre-
vented from ascending the Peiho River.
The commanders Of the warships had
right to demand free passage for a re-
lieving force Instead Of granting the
demand the commander Of the Taku forts
opened fire. Evidently. 1t Is on his shoul-
ders that the responsibility for the collision
rests. Does 1t follow that the Pekin Gov
eminent has committed an act Of war
against the foreign Powers. the ships Of
which were fred upon2 The deduction
can only be averted by reputation Of
the Chinese commanders act and by an
offer OF ample repNation for the damage
inflicted. II It can be shown that the Chi
nese commander did but obey an order Of
the Empress Dowager it will then be un-
deniable that a state Of war exists between
China and at least five foreign Powers.
In that event the Powers challenged will
have an undoubted right TO 60 forward
and subject their opponent to such punish
ment as they may agree upon. Whether
they will be able to agree as to the form
and extent Of the chastisement to be ad-
minlstered Is different question.
1t will be observed that the Shanghai
correspondent does not assert that the
Admiral commanding the American naval
| force In the Gulf Of Pechili took part In
the council which despatched an ultimatum
| TO the Chinese commander OF the Taku
forts. or that any American vessel psrtici-
pated In the subsequent engagement
| He mentions only British. French. German,
| Russian and japanese warships as CO.
operating In the attack upon tho forts
| Another Shanghai correspondent says the
| Yorktown was one Of the vessels engaged,
but this Is evidently a mistake. for that
g,lnboat did not leave Chefoo. which Is
lso miles from Tak,i. until Sunday But,
| II the American naval commander of the
mouth Of the Peiho took no part In the
formulation OF the ultimatum. nor In the
subsequent attack upon the Taku forts, 1t
IL manifest that nothing which occurr ed
on Sunday In that locality constituted an
act Of war on the part OF China against
the United States. 1t remains as 1t has
always been, our duty to take all practi-
cable measures for tho rescue OF our diplo-
matte representatives and our citizens,
but. according to all tho information
forthcoming at the hour when we write,
we are not as yet involved In actual war;
fare with China
Thus far. then. our Admiral has been
careful not to diverge from the policy Of our
Government. which Is that the United
States, while determined to protect the
lives and property Of citizens. will embark
in no plan of cooperation with foreign
Powers which would commit US irrevocably
TO war with China. and involve us In all
the possible resultant complications Even
II the efficient protection Of our citizens
shall seem. at any time. to require smul-
taneous or concurrent action. such s,oours>