The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-31


As far as appearances CO. a little prog
ress has been made in strengthening out
the diplomatic muddle regarding China
but appearances are often deceptive. and
never more so than in cases of this kind
All the leading powers have now agreed
to accept Ii Hung Chang as the repre-
sentative OF the Chinese Government in
negotiations for peace, but, with the ex-
I ceptions of the United States. Russia. and
Japan. only for preliminary purposes
/ There is an understanding also that. as
: soon AS the imperial authorities show viii.
/ ingness and ability to suppress disorder.
/ the allied trooos aill be withdrawn from
Pekin. and the En- press Dowager and the
Emperor invited to return and re-estab-
/ fish themselves in the capital
Whether or not they will be willing TO
do SO in existing circumstances remains
10 be seen. According TO message re-
ceive1 yesterday from Minister Congsr the
allies were to make a formal parade
through the imperial palace on August
%. after which it was to be closed and
placed under guard. The imperial family
will be greatly humiiiated and alarmed by
this act which they are certain to regard
rs one OF dissertation. They will fear the
effect that it may have upon native opin-
ion which has always held that foreigners
-profauing the sacred precincts by their
presence would be struck dead BY the gods
II is entirely right and advisable 10 ex-
piode such barbarian superstition. but
the operation. nevertheless, might raise
an objection on the part of the Dowager
Empress to reoccupying a desecrated
place. SIN. she may come back, dragging
the unfortunate Kwang Hsu after her, and
agree to treat with the powers.
In that event the real troubles Of the
diplomatic campaign viii begin perhaps
earlier than otherwise might happen.
There does not seem 10 be any apparent
reason why the preliminsries to truce
and. ultimately, a peace. should not be
arranged without particular friction among
the powers. That is, unless all attempts
in these directions were frustrated By a
separate declaration Of WEI by Germany.
possibly backed by Great Britain. We
do rot assert that such thing is proba-
BILE: only thst. bsfore we get rid OF the
Chinese question, we shall see that pretty
much anything is possible.
But, after preliminaries are arranged.
and all parties get down to business. then
the crux of the situation will appear. TN
less the Kaiser has changed his attitude
greatly. Germany will insist that Japan
shall not gain a foot of territory on the
mainland. It is due 10 the latter to say
that she disclaims any desire for ter
ritorisl compensation; but that must not
be taken as meaning that she would rot
demand GENE if the others should start a
general grab. Germany. Russia. Japan. |
and France are anything but plea; ed with |
the British idea of paramountcy in the |
Yangtse Valley; and Great Britain. Ger I
many. and Japan do not approve of the !
Russian seizure Of Niuchwang. We might |
go on tor an hour figuring out the kaleido-
scopic combinations and complications
likely 10 result from an attempt TO satisfy !
everybody through negotiations in which
me obvious interest OF China Will be 10
set her Western conquerors by the ears.
And we do not think IL will take much
time or many protocols to disclose the
fact that. if the compensatory and psni-
tive fines to be imposed upon the Empire
are to be demanded in money it cannot
be raised. or the capital secured upon any
thing tangible
Then the partition is liable to begin-the
partition which Great Britain and Ger
many expect, whether they wish for it
or not. We ought to hope that such
thing may be avoided, and shat the Little
Brooches" diplomacy may be successful in
China's territorial integrity
and the open door; but. at the esent
writing. the prospect for anything of the
sort does not appeal to our judgment as
extremely golden.