The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-08
War Is On.

The cloud or uncertainty that hangs
over the Orient is about to lift Minis
ter Conger has been heard from direct
ly. and the rescue Of him and his COM
panions calls for desperate EFFORT by
the nations. In one way or another,
the world will soon come to un-
derstand what Is the task facing
1t: whether It has to assist the
progressive element in China in restor-
ing order and putting down fanaticai
rebellion Of the Boxers. or to overthrow
a government acting through and In
collision with them. The tortuous
course Of Chinese diplomacy and the
utter unreliability of the Chinese word
when most solemniy pledged have kept
this point through ali these weeks in
as deep doubt as the fate Of the for
eign ministers in Picking. Now we are
about to know.
A great battle has taken place on the
way from Tientsin to the capital. The
passage was disputed fiercely. 1t Is
ominous that the Chinese forces were
able to resist the advance Of the allies
for seven hours. They had good ar
tillery resources, well served. They did
not fight with umbrellas and tom toms
as they did against Japan. They did
not turn and run at the first onset as
they did then. Although the victory is
unconditional and gratifying. since the
Chinese forces SO greatly outnumbered
those Of the powers. and were beaten
in the defence OF a strongly fortified
position, yet the stubbornness Of their
resistance and the heavy loss of 1900
men suffered by the attacking party
show that this Is war In earnest All
depends for the present upon the effect
OF this reverse upon the Chinese them
selves.
II they exhibit their accustomed char
acteristics. the beating that they have
suffered will leave them dispirited and
anxious to secure another period Of me-
COLLATION. and delay. This Is what will
happen IL the Chinese government Is
really implicated In the disturbances. as
everybody believes Then we shall
know what is ahead. The pacifcation
Of China must be made the business OF
the civilized world. and the powers will
have to become indirectly responsible
for such government a. II instituted.
II It is the Boxers only who have To-
mented trouble. they viii cease formal
resistance speedily. ana the central gov
ernnent can resume It's operation, I'M
In the former case. the world may az
well prepare for a protracted and stub
born struggle In China. We have evil
dence enough OF the ability OF these
people to fight desperately. Apparently
they are well provided with guns and
ammunition. The great extent Of their
territory and the vastness Of their re-
sources win compensate to some extent
for their inferiority In a military sense
The safeguard OF the world at this mo-
ment IL the absence Of strong central
authority in China. and the lack OF ma
tionai sentiment that would bind the
race as a unit to oppose the foreigner
TO the death. Even making allowance
for those advantages. the war that Is
fairly on may bring the century 10 a
close with one OF the most momentous
contests since its beginning
1t win be interesting to watch ths
silver Republicans hurrah for Steven
son and notice how enthusiastic they
become over the suppianting OF their