The age-herald., 1900-07-29
GREAT PROBLEM
 OF DIPLOMACY

London Cable in New York Sun July 15.
 The problem of punishing China and re- storing order becomes very different when it does not include the possible rescue of any white men still left alive. Speed is still important, but not so imperative as to justify great risks in pushing the first ad- vance. On the other hand, the danger to harmonious cooperation has rather in creased than diminished by the loss of the greatest incentive to haste.
 Europe's anger against the perpetrators of of the greatest crimes of modern times has not whit abated, but interest is rapidly centering in the supreme test of civilization which it entails. The last days of the old and the first days of the new century will prove whether the concert of the powers, a term hitherto one of empti- ness and almost of contempt, has become the greatest instrument ot righteousness yet made by man.
 If this test fails,'' said a man who is high in the council of one of the conti- mental powers two days ago, i've shall all be at war within a year. If it succeeds, then our Ministers at Pekin have not died in vain'
 I was privileged to discuss the question during the present week, both in London and on the continent, with the several rep resentatives of diplomacy who will take prominent part in the great events which are lTnDenulnS, anu lHe dlllluuS all nave taken toward the crisis, in it's present phase is inspiring. l about to add, hopeful but I fear the word is a little too strong. Diplomacy is, above all, cold, cal culating and supremely selfish. Never un- til today, perhaps, has diplomacy been touched by a sublime motive. How long tEis benign influence may last none can prophecy with any confidence. It has quired the awful sacrifice at Pekin, and the grief and horror Of Christendom to arouse it, but for the moment it is impell-
 ing every unit among the nations Loyalty to cooperate for one unselfish object. Said one, whose diplomatic experience eX- tends over more than one grave crisis: This Chinese problem, full of danger as it is, nevertheless furnishes an opportuni- | ty worth more to the world than hundred peace conferences like that at The Hague 1 mourn the brave men who perish, but I rejoice that this sudden emergency has arisen, which perhaps may check or change the tendency of events that is rapidly car rying us toward war Nothing less horri- ble would have united us, nothing less dis astrous would have driven us together and no task less great would have compelled us to join all our resources. No power thinks or dares to think at the present mo- ment how to profit by this unspeakable n- iquity Therefore, the conditions for test ing the practical cooperation of all the forces of civilization, disregarding race, re-
 
 is possible to conceive. If we can under take the performance of this task, not only with continued single-heartedness, but without undue suspicion of each other, we shall record accomplishment more im- portant than anything you can show me in the history of this or any other coentury Mind you, do not say that am sanguine the difficulties are too immense and ap- palling to permit of strong confidence. I can only say that If the present spirit con- tinues to animate the powers we will not only restore order under a decent native government in China, without alienating from her any territory, but we shall estab- the perils which are menacing the world today, and are far more terrible than even this sad sacrifice at Pekin.'
 Very earnest and somewhat apprehensive were the inquiries made in regard to the probable course of the United States in this crisis There is complete confidence in Paris, as well as in Berlin, in President Mckinley ard Secretary Hay, but the question was whether the exigencies of the political campaign would allow them the free exercise of their judgment. Many ex- traordinary utterances of the American snti-administraton press have been print | ed in Europe this week. All were to the effect that America should not adopt any | policy agreed upon by all the other powers ] simply because the other powers had | adopted 1t. The question was put to me, more than once, whether it was possible | for the United States to be an Ishmaelite l among the nations Unity of sentiment is ! established between all the powers, and 1t l is about to be translated into unity of ac- 1 tion Withdrawal or faltering by any na- 1 ton would imperil greater interests than l those directly involved in China
 | Glimpses through the veil which has now