Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-26
The Chaos in China.

, in China and how little understood by
the world at large We read that our
own warships and our own marines
and soldiers are uniting with those OF
England, France, Germany, Russia,
Italy and Japan, in capturing Chinese
| forts and fighting vastly superior num-
bers Of Chinese soldiers. We read one
day that our consular representatives,
and our missionaries have been
massacred. and the next day that they
are safe. In the absence of authentic
! information, the most sensational
rumors get a1oat. Only one thing is
certain, namely that any extreme is
possible in the whirlpool of anti-foreign
fanaticism into which the crowded
millions of China are plunged. 1t
doesn't seem to be plain whether China
is defying the world, or whether the
allied powers are aiding China in put
ting down the uprising of the mighty
ana mysterious Boxers.
All the nations have a common cause
in protecting the lives and rights of
their subjects in China, and all are in
terested in keeping the country open to
trade Beyond these two matters, both
highly important to be sure, our own
country has nothing at stake in China,
and the whole situation would be
greatly simplfied if this We're also true
Of the other nations whose soldiers and
marines are now on Chinese soil. But
they are jealous of each other. and
each fears that the other is about to
instigate a grand land grabbing cam
paign. When these powers cease to
be united in pursuing a common object.
as at present, there are rocks ahead
at once The crushing of China. if it
defies the world, would be a small task
in comparison with the settling Of the
intricate complications that would at
once arise in seeking indemnities, in
appropriating territory. and in exact
ing and enforcing guarantees for the
safety of foreigners in the future. If
the present anti-foreigner ferment in
China subsidies without a strong
demonstration of the allied powers at
Pekin its If. il will be felt that the world
reaching consequences none can fore
tell
In discussing the Chinese situation,
Henry CleWs. whose views are always
Of interest, holds that the most de-
srable solution Of the Chinese question
would be the removal of the Dowager
Empress and the establishment of a
strong central government. through
concert Of the powers, made up Of the
amply capable of giving a good admin
istration if adequately supported At
the start If this plan fails. the out
look would be anything but promising:
for the control of four hundred millions
of people under one government is
big undertaking; it would certainly be
much safer Tor the future -eaCe OF
other nations for China to be divided
up into numerous parts than to con-
tinue under one head If disintegration
is inevitable, it would be far easier to
effect it now than later when the
Chinese will have become disciplined
in the use Of modern war weapons and
methods. China's power in that event,
in holding together as one mammoth
nation, might become a serious danger
to other races. That is the yellow
peril" In any event there must be
formal uphoding Of the open door
policy; to enable the United States to
| come in for her full share Of the com
mercial advantages, without the disld-
vantages of territorial ownership.