The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-06
The Chinese Situation.


nation which shows no improvement. II
ANYTHING. conditions were worse yesterday
than they have been on any day since the
first credible. or rather credited, news
came that the legations in Pekin were
still holding out on July y.
1t is understood that the American,
British. and Japanese contingents have
unitedly started from Tientsin for fekln.
Their combined force is said to be fourteen
thousand men. Why Russia, Germany, and
France are not represented in the expedl-
ton is a matter concerning which there is
no official explanation. But the fact is an
unpleasant and ominous one. 1t is posi-
bic of course, that in the opinion of the
international commanders it has been
thought best for the troops of the other
allies TO guard the railway and garrison
Tfentsin; but such a theory, in view of
what We hear about dissensions between
Cabinets, and that sort of thing. amounts
TO little more than a concession to what
we hope.
Ii Hung Chang continues TO labor for an
accommodation which should hold the
fendish Empress Dowager harmless for
the torture, murder, and destruction COM
mitted already under her orders, and this
able but utterly unscrupulous diplomat is
now hardly more guarded than Sheng and
the Chinese Minister to Great Britain in
threatening the lives of the legation sur
vivors If the advance on the capital is not
stopped. In the mean time it is announced
that the canals north of Tientsin have been
cut and the country flooded. There is no
sort of doubt that the Chinese army is
prepared to stubbornly resist the inter-
nationals, and it is regarded as probable
that there was a sharp engagement yes
terday, some general news of which pos
sibly may reach Us this morning. If not
more or less decisive battle can hardly
be postponed beyond today.
We are filled with regret to learn that
there is a serious lack of agreement among
the powers concerning the proper course
to pursue in punishment of and settle
ment with China, and that the recent
course Of the American State Department
has largely contributed to the complica-
ton. 1t is asserted in Europe that Mr.
Mckinley has notified his opposition to the
opinion Of the Continental powers, that
Pekin ought TO be destroyed as an object
lesson to the Chinese barbarians. This at
titude is resented in some quarters Again
it is reported that Russia is hostile to the
idea of moving the Chinese capital to
Canton. Altogether the international sit
uation seems fun of menace-a menace,
the nature Of which is perhaps illustrated
in the joint military operations row being
conducted by America, England, and Japan,
and in which the other nations, as re-
ported, are not participating
1t would seem that, whatever may be
the events of the immediate future in
China, the peace of the world is trembling
in the scales. Yet in such a crisis the
executive branch OF the United States Gov
eminent is enjoying its midsummer holt
day, apparently without thought or care
for the dangers that threaten our unfortu-
nate people in Pekin. bur country. and all
mankind. Every constitutional lawyer in
the United States knows that the situa-
tion is one which demands the instant
assembling Of Congress. Yet the chief Off
GERS of our Government have no idea o,
embarrassing themselves by such resort
and are not even at their posts of duty
They may not realize it. but the eyes oil
the American people are fixed upon then
in angry establishment.