The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-26
Our Duty In China.

Our Duty IN Snfnd.
From the preparations which are be-
ing made to dispatch troops and war
ships TO China, IT is apparent that the
administration proposes not only to
protect the lives and property Of Amer
lean citizens in China, but TO take a
decided and perhaps a predominatins
part in the restoration OF order to that
empire. The United states has no am
billions and no lust OF territory to be
gratlfied in any possible partition of the
Chinese empire. 1t is, however. the
greatest power holding territory Dor
dering upon the Pacific, and its trade
relations with eastern Asia are more
Intimate. II not more extensive. than
often predicted life and death struggle
between the teeming millions OF Asia
and the civilized powers OF the world
should ever come. this country. It
must be remembered, occupies on Its
western coast, the advance post Of
Western civilization. and would be the
first called upon to resist an Asiatic
assault 1t is the nearest OF all civil
ICED countries to Asia and the future
carries with IT enormous possibilities
growing out of that nearness.
Thus the United States has an in
ffvna 70 copoer,, iy, .oaipx that x,.ha tauar
settlement of the present Chinese
troubles be had, IL that settlement
looks further than the mere restoration
OF order, the United States must have
a voice, and its interests must be pro-
tected.
The present massing OF troops on
the shores OF China is but the interlude.
Inevitably. and within a comparatively
brief period, the capital Of the Chinese
empire will be In the possession OF the
civilized powers OF the world. What will
follow no one at present can venture
a prediction which will be more than
merest guesswork. Whether the Chi
nese empire will be dlsmembered. or
whether II Will remain under a NOM
inal emperor with foreign advisers
debating his actions. depends upon the
agreement which the powers may make
among themselves: or failing such an
agreement, upon the outcome OF tho
war which may be precipitated amongst
them. BY the necessities of the case.
and for the protection OF American
interests. this country Will be forced
to take an active part In such settle
ment. and II is the part OF sound policy
10 be prepared for all eventualitles.
At the outbreak OF the war with Spain
no ono in the United States had any
adequate conception of what the re-
suits Of that war would be. or how Il
would affect the relations of the United
states with the other powers of the
world. and thrust upon the people of
this country responsibilities which they
had no desire or intention originally
TO incur. So IL may be with the pres
ent troubles In China. The United
States has been compelled to interfere
by force. both for the protection of its
own people. whose lives have been i'm
periled or sacrificed, and as part OF the
obligation and duty which 1t owes as
one OF the great civilized powers OF the
world What other responsibilities or
duties may be thrust upon this coun-
try as result OF that necessary In.
terferenoe cannot now be predicted.
Whatever they are. the country must
be prepared 20 accept them.
Mr.. Towne says II is not true that