The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-07-19
The Situation in China.

Two facts OF an encouraging character
are reported today in our news from Chi
ma 1t is announced that fifteen thousand
japanese troops are landing at Taku, and
that the native city of Tientsin has been
destroyed by fire Both are likely to have
an important Influence on the immediate
future Of the place where our brave sol
diers and ma zines are battling for civil-
zation. II all Of the japanese contingent
is forwarded al once after Cebarking the
allied garrison at Tientsin should be able
to hold the position. or, If in danger Of be-
ing enveioped by vastly superior numbers,
secure a safe retreat The burning of the
native city will simplify the military prob
lem, as it removes a source Of danger on
account OF its dominating walls and hos
tile population, and viii deprive an at
lacking force and guns of cover.
Otherwise the news is bad The Belg an
FOREIGN Office seemingly credits story
that the legation people in Pekin have not
been nrassacred. but are under p. election
in Prince Ching's palace. Other European
authorities are without doubt as to the
fact OF the crime, ard are proceeding uIon
the assumption that it has been commit
ted The worst feature OF the situation is
that the invasion of the Russian Amur
province. which affords Russia an excuse
and even a well-recOguized right to take
independent action. has occasioned a re-
newal of friction among the powers. The
St Petersburg Government has declared the
existence of a state Of war in the territory
invaded OF threatened. and undoubtedly
will move an army into ManchuIia from
Siberia. Germany and France are under
stood to back Russia's hand in this poll
icy. which is opposed to British and Japa-
nese interests and wishes. In addition the
objection OF Russia. Germany. and France
to allowing the chief command Of the
allied forces 10 a japanese held marshal. IS
having the effect TO Keep back the troops
which Japan has prepared to send 10 Taku-
1t probably cannot affect the first cOHtin-
tingent already landed. but may retard or
estop the remainder agreed upon
The rapid spread Of the war to all parts
OF China has already operated to divert
forces which were designed for Taku to
other places. The British contingent will
go to Shanghai and Hongkong. Germany's
forces are certain to land at Kiao-Ch0u,
and those Of France at Tonkin. Russia is
not likely % re-enforce her troops at Tien-
tsin as the Cars Government is said to
regard the advance upon Pekin from that
direction as unfeasible. besides which the
situation in Amur and Manchuria will
strain the Russian military resources for
some weeks to come. From these prem
ises il would seem TO follow that the task
OF holding the Taku-Ticntsin line would
devOlve largely upon Japan and the United
States.
1t is greatly to be hoped that diplomacy
may be able to smooth over the differences
between the powers and still render effec-
tive cooperation possible: but the outlook
for that is not encouraging. Germany, il
is reported. intends to patrol the Yangtse-
Kiang with war vessels, a course
which would deeply offend Great Britain,
because that power considers the Yang
tse-Kiang and valley as her special
sphere OF influence. 1t would be vast
pity if the hope of the willy Chinese lead
ers were realized. in a quarrel among the
allies. which. also, would amount to a Sc
rious blow to the cause OF Western civili-
cation.