The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-26
SUNDAY, AUGUST &c, 1900.
THINGS ARE COMING AROUND
RIGHT


MT. McIliniey's backbone is plainly stiff
fened. May be some friend has done him
the good turn of showing him The Times
articles. as he is beginning to manifest a
decided tendency to follow out the course
which The Times has pointed out as the
course of his duty md true policy. 1t
now comes out from Washington that the
administration viii take firm ground
against the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of China So
far nothing is foreshadowed but diplo-
matte action. though we have it stated
that the President will exhaust all the
resources of diplomacy to prevent the
division OF the empire. But Mr.. Mckinley
should not stop at this. He should at
once sound England and Japan to know
if they Will not join the United States in.
preventing the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of China.
All the resources of diplomacy should un-
doubtedly be exhausted before force is re-
sorted TO, but the Acknowledgement Of
China should not be permitted if sufii-
cent force can be enlisted against ii to
prevent it. Mr.. Mckinley should stick
pin right there and notify the world that
this thing VIII not be permitted by the
United States, if the United States sees
amy way by which it can be prevented,
and at the same time he should proclaim
with equally loud voice that the United
States intends to secure for the Chinese
redress of their real grievances at the
hands OF foreign Powers if it can posi-
bly, secure it for them. These are the
two cnrdinal points for Mr.. Mckinley 10
get before his mind and TO proclaim
openly and loudly to the world.
1t has also come out from Washington,
as one OF the official leaks. that the Pres
ident is thinking of calling Congress to-
gether 10 confer upon him the authority
TO do what he thinks is necessary The
idea has taken hold in Washington that
we cannot keep our troops upon Chinese
territory without an act of Congress de-
claring war upon China. or course. we
have nothing 10 say against Congress be-
ing called. if the President thinks that it
should be. hut there is nothing in what
Is suggested that amounts 10 a reason
why Congress should be called. The Pres
.dent had entire authority for sending
our military forces 10 Pellin TO rescue our
ministers and the other Americans there,
and the authority TO do that involves the
authority to do whatever is incidental to
II. If. when General Chaffee arrived at
Pekin, it WAS thought that American IN
.erests required him TO stay there, the
President had full authority 10 retain him
there until Congress in due time took the
matter under its consideration. OF course
when Congress meets, the President will
have 10 report all the facts 10 Congress
ana t,,.,r, the matter over TO It. and II VIII
be dealt with from that time forward as
Congress may see fit. bui the PRESIDENT
Is under no obligation TO call an extra
session Of Congress TO deal with the sub
iect. IL is entirely a matter OF discretion
with him whether he Will call Congress
in extra session, or whether he VIII not
and If ne docs not think 1t wise TO call
Congress in extra session, he may leave
events 70 take their due coures, he, HIM
self. controlling the situation in the IN
teram by virtue of that authority which
was incident to the authority TO march
upon PelSin.
There Is no occasion for sush or sent
mc,at or hyster.cal action of any sort
whatever ii this case. All 1h.t is want
Eng is a little harc common sense and a
firm adherence TO The obvious principles
of duty and right that are involved in the
case but by all means, Mr. President.
SAND firm upon Inc TWO propos,t!ons-;hat
China shall not be c.snae,nbered and that
the just grievances OF the Chinese shall
be redressed. Proclaim these propositions
TO the word as propositions the United
States WI stand by to the best of its abii-
lily. and you vii. have this siation united
at ,opr back ss no President has ever had
1t united