New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-17
CRAZE NEWS ER0M CHINA

1t would be difficult to eXaggerate the gravity
of the news from China which publish this
morning. The worst fears of the last week
have been realized. The Chinese mobs have
burned a part of Tien-Tsin and part of Picking,
including the Roman Catholic Cathedral; they
have massacred a number of foreigners, and,
finally, they have destroyed all the foreign ega-
tons at Picking and have murdered the German
Minister. Such are the appalling tidngs which
have come from Shanghai and Hong Kong, to
which is to be added that communication with
T;en-Tsin is now entirely broken off. We may
hope that the news is exaggerated especially
that relating to the legations and the German
Minister; yet there is only too much reason for
fearing that it is true. We are, at any rate,
confronted with the unquestionable fact that 1t
has been we'll within the power of the mobs to
do such things. perhaps even in spite of any
thing the Chinese troops might do TO prevent
them; and it is by no means assured that the
troops would do anything to prevent them.
If the news be true may look for a radical
solution, or attempt at solution. of the long
pending Chinese question" II will be remem-
bered that Germany seized KiaoChau as indem-
nifty for the murder of a couple Of missionaries.
We may estimate by sort of diplomatic-mili-
tary rule of three. what indemnity she will
demand for murdered Minister 1t is not to
be supposed that she would be content with
any apologies and cash payments and killing of
riot leaders. For some time a considerable Ger
man sphere of influence has been marked out in
China. AS the sequel of such a tragedy as that
reported in this mornings news might we'll
expect to see that entire region annexed to the
German Empire That would be-if indeed the
destruction Of the legations were not in itself
suficient-the signal for the other partitioning
Powers to move in and do likewise. The Chi
neSe would have sOwn the wind and would
have tO-reap the whirlWind-a whirlwind before
which the whole unstable edifice Of the empire
would go down in final ruin.
Among the partitiOning Powers we may not
reckon the United States. This country has
never coveted Chinese territory. It asks for no
more than equality Of rights with all other
nations in trade and industry. Yet it is deeply
concerned in the present crisis. If the legations
are all destroyed the American Legation is
gone too. American property is as much in
peril of destruction as that Of any other nation
| atty The lives Of Americans are no more safe
than those Of any other foreigners; and it is
necessary, as much for this country as for any
! other. TO take prompt and vigorous steps for
. the protection of American lives and property
so far as they still exist. and for the eXaction of
full indemnity for all that have fallen or shall
fall prey TO the fury of the mob There is no
longer any time for arguing over the attitude of
the Empress Dowager or Of the Imperial trOoDs
toward the Boxers. The simple fact is if the
news of today be confirmed that either will
fully or negligently the Chinese Government
has permitted these outrages, and the only
recourse the aggTieyed nations have is to 90 in
themselves with a strong hand and restore
order, inf1ict punishment and exact indemnity.