The evening times., 1900-06-09
The Chinese Situation.

The Chinese Situation.
Events in China are marching fast to-
ward the climax to a terrible crisis. The
Boxers, it is presumed. are attacking
TientSin today, and as likely as not are
also at the gates of Pekin. AT least fifty
miles Of the railway between these two
points has been destroyed The capital
Is cut of from the coast. One Of the two
telegraph wires connecting Pekin with the
outside world has been put out of action,
and the other may be cut at any moment.
The native population Of the city is tur-
bulent. and foreign representatives fear an
immediate attack on the legations. Urgent
appeals have been sent TO Taku for re-
endorsements, which it may be difficult, if
not impossible, to forward from that point
in time 10 do any good
Additional gravity is given to the situa-
tion by the apparent fact that Russia is
not participating in the joint action OF
the other powers. but is pursuing course
which appears to be resented by the
American. British. and other naval com
manders. At the meetings OF the admi-
rails at Taku. which have been frequent
during the past few days. the Russian ad-
miral does not seem to have been present.
And Admiral Kempn reports that in the
engagement which took place outside Of
Tientsin last Tuesday. the Russians be-
gan the fighting. This is taken to mean
that the Russian officer in command acted
Independently of and without consulting
his interns tional colleagues.
This state of things obviously is most
serious, as Indicating the probability of
a rupture between Great Britain and Rus
sia. within few days perhaps, and one
which it is easy to believe would involve
Germany and Japan if not the United
States. From a professional diplomatic
viewpoint a prettier quarrel could not be
conceived. u the other European govern
ments complain that Russia declines to
join in common arrangement to meet
common danger. the answer might well be
that the United States assumes the right
to act independently and only to concern
itself with the protection OF American
lives and interests. Russia also may be
regarded as giving every care and atten-
tion to Russian interests. without refer
ence to those Of other people
There is a determined diplomatic strug-
gle in progress between the foreign offices
of London and st. Petersburg, and a good
share of it has relation 70 the policy and
attitude Of this country, in view Of the
situation We appear TO have been right in
inferring from the language of the English
press for two or three days. that Lord sal
isbury has been trying TO get the United
States TO insert itself as a buffer between
the Lion and the Bear. As We explained
yesterday, strong military action by this
Government would greatly tend to defeat
any design that Russia might entertain in
the way Of Russian occupation of PeAiu
and the province OF Pe-Chi-L. England
fully understands the blow to her prestige
and interests that such movement would
amount to. The Gar. no doubt. might de-
clare with cheerful franBness that the oc-
cupation was merely temporary and philan-
thropic. But Lord Salisbury is aware that.
if he chose, Nicholas could easily entrench
himself behind the precedent established
hy England in occupying Egypt under 4
similar declaration, and remain in posses
sion, as he would be morally certain to
do.
Russia has not been blind to the efforts
Of its rival to enlist the support and force
of the United States in China Yesterday
We referred to an article in the St. Pc
tersburg "Novoe Vremya," warning this
country against British intrigue and ad-
vising America 70 keep out Of the quarrel.
Since that cautionary signal was displayed.
there is good reason to believe that our
State Department has been informed
through the Russian Embassy. that the
Car would be surprised as well as hurt
were the United States to interfere. O..
adopt any course which would carry the
appearance Of an alliance with Great Bri-
tain against Russia
The delicacy Of Mr.. McKinley's position
in the premises must he apparent. He Il
bound by general understanding to back
Great Britain's hand in the Far East.
There is not a chance for doubt that
eventualities Of the kind that have been
precipitated by the Boxers rebellion. wers
canvassed and prepared against when the
Hay-PauncefOte Treaty, and the post-eIe--
tion surrender Of Alaskan territory were in
negotiation. The sudden despatch of a
large part of our Navy to our Asiatic base
at Manila, was beyond question in pursu-
ance Of the McKinley-Sal alliance.
which, it is reasonable to assume. also
contemplated the transfer of troops from
the Philippines to Taku when the hour 70.
that movement should come How far the
Administration viii allow the notice from
Russia to affect its ts stics, 1t would be i'm
possible to guess. The British Premier
already has shown his ability to keep his
Washington friends up to their engage
ments, even when to attempt their fulfill
ment has been to incur popular wrath and
denunciation. But the Presidential year
factor in the equation Is not to be ignored.
Mr.. Mckinley might not be afraid of Rus
sia aloneI but OF Russia, combined with
powerful anti-Brtish sentiment among the
American people, he might be; even to the
Point OF ordering Magoon to write an