New-York tribune., 1900-07-11
POLICY IN CHINA INDICATED.

The policy of the United States Government
toward China in the present crisis has been so
sane and straightforward as to be in any event
self-vindcating. 1t is, nevertheless, most graft
flying to find it, simultaneously with it's textual
revelation, also yindicated in particularly con-
vincing manner by the progress and the logic
of events. This policy, as formally cOmmuni-
Gated to the Powers of the world is briefly to
stand by our treaties and treaty rights, to pro-
tect American life and property, to act in har-
mony with the efforts made by the other Powers
to the same ends, and to aim finally at the
restoration of peace and order and at the main
tenance of Chinas territorial and administra-
tive integrity, with equal and impartial com
mercial relations between China and all the
world In that policy there is no hint of making
upon the Chinese people, nor of seeking re-
venge by bringing China to her knees. There is
a discreet recognition Of the fact that some
thing like anarchy temporarily prevails at the
Chinese capital for which it would be mani
festly unjust to hold the Chinese people, or
even the Chinese Government, altogether re-
sponsible; or, if the Government be responsible
it is only as a Government is held responsible
for the acts of rioters and rebels within it's
dominions
That a sound policy, on the face of it, at
the time when it was formally announced,
which was when the situation at Peking looked
blacklist, when the legations and their occu-
pants were believed TO have been utterly de-
strOyed, and when the most strenuous voice in
Europe was calling for revenge. But what do
we see to-day? Confirmation comes Of the re-
port of yesterday, that the lawful head of the
Chinese Government has taken the field with
loyal Chinese troops against the usurper and
his mob of murderers and for the protection Of
liJ-oc Of II ic hot no
Empress Dowager, whom Prince Tuan had de-
posed and tried TO murder, has regained au-
thority, has placed General Yung Lu at the
head Of affairs, and is energetcally striving to
suppress the rebellion. 1t may be, of course,
that she is hedging" Certainly nothing she
can do can blot out her former evil record. She
sOwed the wind from which has sprung this
whirlwind But that is not the point at present,
but rather this, that anything is to be welcomed
that will save the lives of the foreigners at
Peking and elsewhere in China, and will restore
relationships with China to a diplomatic instead
of a military basis. There seems reason to be-
lieve that such a process is under way. If so.
it is an impressive vindication of the wisdom of
the American policy.
Meantime, it is not to be overlooked that the
same policy calls for the most vigorous action.
Communication with Peking is to be restored,
the Americans there are to be rescued, if any
wrong has been done to any American the re
sponsible authors of it are to be held to the
strictest accountability, and measures are to be
taken TO prevent extension Of the disorders and
to guard against their recurrence. Fittingly
along with that pronouncement comes the news
that more United States troops have reached
Taku, that more are about to proceed thence
from Manila, and that still more are to be
cruited and forwarded speedily possible.
That is A feature of the American policy which
may appeal to some who do not fully appre
ciate its more pacific features; wherefore it is
not TO be wondered at that as whole the atti
tude of this country has commanded the ap-
proval of all the Powers. We may confidently
expect that such policy, consistently and Wig
orously maintained, will result in good for
China, and in a material increase of American
influence and prestige, and therefore a com
mensurate advancement of legitimate American
interests in the Far East