The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-18
The Great Problem
Involved in China



MAJ from the Far East are true or false, there
w remains no room for doubt that the task
of subjugating China has now been i'm
posed on the civilized world and must be as
sumed instantly and systematically. The true
nature of the situation was fully realized by
Lord Salisbury two days ago when he summoned
today's special cabinet meeting to decide on the
British policy. The ominous truth is likewise
perfectly understood by the Parls Berlin ana ST.
Petersburg governments, which will be the princi
pal actors in the great drama about TO be
enacted.
The question OF the moment is, and the peace
of the world is involved in its answer, Can the
tentative agreement for sending JOINT eXpedi-
tionary force to Pekin be extended to the opera
tion of the great punitive army which must now
subdue Gilman The issue, unfortunately is not
as simple as 1t seems at first glance Ii would
be an easy problem if each power had men
available in similar numbers and position as
have the United States in the Philippines, but
England would have to send men from India and
South Africa, and France and Germany from
home, il each country contributed an equal con.
tingent. The only country which has large
force close at hand and ready to act Immediately
is the one power which, rightly or wrongly, is
under the gravest suspicion in regard to the
causes of the present crisis and which stands to
gain long-cherished ambition II she is able to
ihr' h''''AN nO"nrAn
The point to be settled before any genuine
harmony OF the powers is possible IN simply this:
Will Russia consent to forego any individual and
disproportionate advantages no matter how large
| a part she may take in the subiugation of China
Furthermore, will she undertake the task in hear
ty cooperation with all the other forces available
as a strictly military matter, leaving all politi.
cal questions to be decided at a future confer.
ence wherein she will have only proportionate
voice? These questions in Upe form or another
are agiating the European cabinets at the pres
ent moment nothing has disturbed them since
| the last great war and all day have kept every
ambassador in Europe in constant communication
with his chiefs and with the foreign office to
| which he is accredited.
! The whole problem let me repeat, would be
simple and local regards the international
politics if Russia were eliminated or IL her good
| faith were beyond suspicion. No other power
seeks territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in China or any.
| thing beyond the recognition and protection OF
| foreign rights in the empire 1t is Russia's well
known desire to acquire Peldn in Northern
| China, in addition to Manchuria, coupled with
! the fact that the officially melted disturbance
comes at the latest possible moment before Great
Britain is freed from her cntanglements in South
Africa that brings the cars government upde,
natural suspicion
WHO STARTED THE ROW.
There have been many direct insinuations n
Russian intrigue in connection with the Rove
rising in the recent dispatches from China. Inn
nothing tangible is forthcoming II is incredibI
that anv mind in Russia could deliberately In
cite the massacre of foreigners in China. sucb a
is now reported TO be taking place What 1
suggested freely, even in friendly circles in paris
is that Russia connved at some anti.foreign de