The evening times., 1900-09-07
sircnIatton Statement.
Adj Interim Diplomacy

Our sympathies are entirely with Act
ing Secretary Hill in his efforts to help
The Administration in its rather anus .ng
efforts to wriggIe out of the hole in
which the amateur diplomacy of Root,
Smith, and Wilson has placed it. We
earnestly hope that ne may succeed, for
The honor of the country; but that does
not mean that We are sarguine CT his
success.
The extent of the blunder committed
by the Root, Smith, and Wilson Tsung-
li-Yamen, during the absence OF the State
Department brains, in swapping UP the
bait adroitIy offered by the Russian
Charge d Affairs is now demonstrated, as
we have expected that it would be when
ever the leading Western powers should
reply to the Russo American proposal for
a general -'scuttling' cut OF Pekin.
During the past few days it has been our
cheerful privilege TO read many inspired
statements in the Administration press.
to the effect that this Government had not
committed itself to the Russian PROPOSE
ton irreyocably. but was stiIl in a posi-
lion to act independently as American pol
icy and interests might dictate. These ut
teranceS have been amusing; for the rea-
son that any backwoods justice of the
peace would see at a glance from the text
of the s.oot, Smith, and Wilson ''memoran-
dunn addressed to the-powers through
cur representatives AT the various capi
tails that it commits the United States ab-
solutely 10 withdraw from Pellin in case
Russia W thdraws. The diplomatic idiocy Of
ment is not rendered less ridiculous by the
laborod argument OF The same 'memoran-
dunn TO show that such a course would be
unfortunate. calculated TO break the con
cord CT the invading states, and wholly in
defensibIe.
Now the question is: What Is the Ad
minisJration likely TO do. should Russia
decide TO ''scuttle2'' Germany has deti-
ritely declined 20 join the proposed evae-
uaJiop, or TO consider such a movement.
which. On its face, would ba unutter-
ably senseless from any point OF view
save that of Russia. The Kaiser Will re
enforce mis- corps of occupation and stay
in Pekin without reference to the action
of the other powers. Great Britain IN
doubtedly will join with Germany Aus
tria and Italy have already announced
their intention to do the same Japan
has not spoken as yet. but may be safely
expected TO act with Great Britain. The
reasonable presumption is that, in the
presence of such a coalition, the Czar
viii recede from his Original position
and give Mr.. Mckinley a chance to crawl
out Of the difficulty he has been dragged
into by the ezuberant incomPeteney Of
his ad interim advisers.
Whether he is pursuing the right course
10 promote that desired end. Is another
matter. Today. We hear that the Admin
istratIon, eIated by Is eminent successes IN
hautes politiques, and having played a mas
ter haud-for Russian muddling the sit
nation almost beyond repair. is again pre-
pairing 10 act as the mentor of nations. ana
propose fresh pian. which. IS We are told
is to comprise some of the Russian some
Of the Mckinley. and good deal of the
Chinese policy. There has been Cabinet
meeting over the matter al Chevy Chase.
Probably there Will be others al Cabin John
River View and Chesapeake Beach-the
more the merrier. But. it strikes Us that
il would be better at this juncture for the
United States TO assume modest and op>
perfume attitude, and to limit our splendid
diplomacy TO an effort in the direction OF
escape from the contemplate position
systematically speaking-which our adhe-
sion TO the Russian proposal, but more par
ticularly the manner OF it, compels Us TO
occupy.