The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-22
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST %. 1900.
OUR INTERESTS IN CHINA.

Whatever may be said eff imperialism
as an abstract proposition. 1t cannot be
denied that issues of the first magnitude
and Importance to the United States hnSe
arisen in the East and The Times has been
trying to show that It is a condition and
not theory that confronts Us. The Times
believes that these interests are thrent-
ened with a very great peril. and that all
the powers and resources Of this Govern
meai may be called for to preserve those
interests, unless we are prepared to lay
them down and abandon them like cow
ards.
/: IS no new suggestion to say that Rus
STA has an avaric.ous eye directed at
China. She wants her railway ncross to
the Pacific Ocean more than she wants
anything else, and she wants it safe
guarded upon Its southern side. Her seiz-
ure Of Port Arthur and grnb of large re-
ons in Manchuria show her object and
her purpose in an unmistakable light,
and show that she has not the
ienst modesty in executing her pur-
pose Germany has shown her own dis
position just plainly by her seizure of
kiou Chan and France has shown thnt
she Is in the game by establishing herself
IN Cho Chin, China These three Powers
have been known for some time to be
looking upon China with longing eyes.
Neither has done anything In particular
els, Ire fhn+ ind tor
an intention of self-aggrandizement, but
Germany is now engaged in what must
necessarily arouse the interest Of the
whole world. The main purpose Of the
allied invasion Of China was accomplished
when their forces entered Pel1in and res
cued the ministers. Nothing now remains
to be done but to exact satisfaction from
China for the injuries that have been in
flicted upon the different Powers, and that
is now no more thnn matter of regotia-
tons backed by the military and naval
forces which are there. But Germany is
at this moment d:spatching most Of her
battieships to China and sending a corps
of $1,000 soldiers there. What is the need
now Of such naval and military forces as
these? There IS none. absolutely none.
In view of these facts the man who sits
quietly by and supposes that Russia Ger
many and France are not disposed to take
advantage of the present opportunity to
Eggrandze themselves at China's expense.
is credulous man. indeed. For ourselves,
we have not the slightest doubt that they
intend TO close in on China in way to
Interests there
1t is the duty Of this country TO meet this
issue with promptness and energy. and to
terestall action which would be destruc-
tive TO our interests by the most positive
and explicit measures. We should Gull
upon Russia, France and Germany TO state
their purposes explicitly and to give as
surances that they have no Intention to
overthrow the existing government Of
China and TO substitute for it one domi-
Ented by themselves. England's interest
Is plainly the same as ours. and Japan's
interest IS SO near The same that she could
be relied upon 10 cooperate with US in any
such course. II the issue Is to be made in
the East With Russia. Germany. France.
with even Austria and Italy thrown in,
upon the one side. and America. England
and Japan upon the other side. We need
not fear the result. The battle would take
p.nce upon the ocean IN the main. and SIS
result with these combinations would
hardly be matter of doubt. But how
ever that may be. the issue Is serious
one and our Government should meet 4,
promptly and tectsively.
EE--E-E=z-HEx
lNl,si.Y IN iNifAAIf.
III. New York sun says:
On. very intelligent contemporary, III,
Ti:rss Of Richmond. loses the balance O.
ats .eason when It says heatsdly:
tee q.