The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-10


The situation in China very naturally at
tracts much attention. All in all ii pre-
sents more puzzling questions than any
situation that has been presented to the
worlds dominant governments. II other
nations were willing to let China absolute
ly alone that country. with its vast aggre-
cation of superstition and poverty, might
get along as 1t did years ago. But Euro
pean nations will not let China alone Re-
ligious denominations insist on sending
missionaries to that country, and mer-
chants who overrun the world for gain
will seek 1t in China. Besides, China is not
disposed to keep to itself. It's merchants
seek markets, and it's half-starved natives
are the most eager men that ever sought
labor in foreign land. China is not only
an effete civilization, but those who are its
rulers recognize the fact, else they would
not submit to the interference of European
governments. Most of its rulers and peo-
pie resist the civilizations of the world-rul-
ing races. The religion of the Chinese.
which is a sacred veneration of their an
cestors, arrays the people against the civ
ilization which advances by railroads. Not
the least of the causes of the present out
breaks against progress is that the Euro
peans who are building railroads desecrate
the graveyards and sacred places of the
Chinese by pushing their lines through
them-a thing which would not be permit
TED in this country. In his own land. as
elsewhere, the Chinaman is treated as II
he had no rights by those who go there to
tives should be filled with hatred for for
eigners and foreign innovations is but nat
ural. even in weak and inferior people.
European governments have obtained con-
cessions from the rulers of China-concos-
sions obtained by threats-but which an in
furiated people seem disposed to resist.
One of the policies which has been advo-
Gated Is the division of the Chinese empire
into zones to be controlled by the different
European governments. That means the
breaking up of the dynasty. which has
taxed. IL not governed, more than 400. 900, 600
Of people. Americans who are best quail
fed to speak of such policy from an
American point of view, like ex-Minister
DENLY. have opposed the partition of China
and the consequent destruction of its gov
eminent; yet, so far as our commercial in
| terests are concerned, the United States
| seems secure under the recent treaty OF
o$orx y,oxv oil
| the privileges that any other nation may
| enjoy. Great Britain has been opposed Il
/ the partition of China by European ma.
| tons. Russia is most eager to take a por.
| ton of China, If it cannot secure the whole
| OF 1t, but no good can come to China or tc
progressive civilization through the infiu
ence of Russia. Germany was once anx
| ious to secure a large zone Of China. ant
now has a foothold. That new nation IN
| the East, Japan, the foe of Russia, pro
| poses to be a factor in the disposition Of
| China. With so many eager aspirants fcl
| the control of portions of China it seem:
that the talked-of partition involves bittel
disputes IL not wars. With Great Britain
4 oppOScus TIC CAitCu OtdtCo hCutidi, dLu
pan and Russia foes, the project of parti
| ton as a remedy for Chinese troubles doe
not seem flattering.
The most natural solution of the difficult.
would seem to be the placing of progress
sive native of China at the head of tn
government by the European powers, an
TO sustain him by their armies Russi
seems TO be the first obstacle to such a.
arrangement; not that Russia would no
eagerly join in such an agreement, but
being known to be covetous and unscrupu
lous. and being able to furnish the needle
army, the other powers would not trus
the Car. The immediate interest of tn
United States in China is the number O
Americans in that country. the most @
whom are missionaries. Already few c
these have been killed. and others are /
imminent peril Our government must d
what it can to protect missionaries an
ether Americans in China, but this nee
not involve the United States in any CON
pications likely to grow out of the preser
situation. AS far as IL is able il is probabl
that our government will cooperate wit
! others to suppress the insurrection of til
Boxers, which threatens the massacre
all foreigners in China.