The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-06
Tho Administration and China.


The manner In which the administra-
tIon has handled the situation in China.
has commanded the admiration OF dis
interested critics IN Europe. and II IL ap-
parent that in the outcome OF the chi
nese matter the position assumed by
the United States win determine the
snsnt. The administration has refused
% act hastily in declaring that war ex-
lists with China. preferring to accept.
with possible mental reservations. the
truth Of the assertions made by the
Chinese officials, that the government
itself IL not responsible. but that the
actions complained OF are those Of ir-
responsible mobs. which the government
has bsen unable TO control. when APP
peaied to by the Chinese emperor. or by
'sosne one acting in his name. TO mediate
fer the settlement Of the matter the
administration promptly informed the
Chinese minister that ~ a preliminary
10 any arbitration the governments of
the world should be at once put in CON-
pletc communication with their diplo-
matte representatives Mt Picking, and
that until that was done no steps what
ever in the nature OF mediation could
BY any possibility be taken.
While protesting. however. to accept
the explanations of the Chinese govern
ment AZ true. the administration has not
for a moment stopped Its preparations
for the sending OF an adequate force to
China. TO relieve the American citizens
belcaguersd In the legations at Picking
The position assumed IL that. admitting
that the Chinese officials have told the
truth. the Chinese government has
shown itself devoid of power to protect
the Americana threatened with mas
sacrei and that consequently the duty
devolves on this government to protect
Its own citisens In China. not TO leave
them a prey to the mobs which the Chi
nese government cannot suppress. The
situation. so far ms the sending Of a re-
lief party TO Picking Is concerned. does
not differ from what would have been
presented had u been recognized that
China had actually commenced a war
against this country and the other
countries OF the civilized world. The
real difference consists In the fact that
In keeping W diplomatic relations with
China, and tentatively accepting Chi
nesa assurances without permitting
them to influence the action of the adj
minissration. the way has been kept
open for an ultimate settlement with
cut the fearful alternative Of having TO
conquer the millions of the Chinese pco-
pie. after war whieh might last Tor
years and Involve loss OF life ON both
sides fearful 20 contemplate
There is little question that the Chi
nese government Is responsible for the
attacks on the foreign legations. as wen
as for the massaeres OF the foreign
missioners; responsible In the sense that
these ousrages were committed with tho
aeauiesesnce. " not Under the direct or
ders of the imperial authorities There
Is also little question now that the I'm
rcrfal authorities OF China have become
panic stricken. since the battle az Ten
ssln. and realize that they were sadly
mistaken in the assumption that they
could successfully withstand the armies
OF the civilized world and return to their
old-time policy ot isolation. after the
expulsion Of all ~ the foreigners II
the Chinese authorities can ara any
diplomatic hole through whlch 60 wig
sis out Of the situation Ia which tho
faulty Of the conservative advisers %
the empress dowageF has involved them
they win certainly attempt 90 take ad-
vantage Of II. Whatever negotiations
are set on foot win probably be through
the American authorities. for even tho
ultra conservative oficsals % China
recognize that the United states has no
designs on the integrity OF the Chinese
empire. and lie the mos, disiateres,ed OF
the powers now operating against
c1sina
AT present the Chinese policy seems