The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-11-10
SIGNIFICANT DELAY.
teaching.

SIGNIFICANT DELAY.
The delay which has prevailed in the
execution of some concerted policy by
the powers in China has naturally given
rise to the belief that there is something
in reserve which may change materially
the arrangements which seemed SO near
ly complete looking toward the with
drawal of foreign arms from the empire
and the restoration Of normal conditions.
The fulfilIment in detail of any policy
which may be put in operation Will, of
course, be attended with some difficulty.
The one great requirement, insisted upon
by the European government, Of the pun
ishment of the leading characters in the
recent Boxer outbreaks, is evidently being
thwarted by the imperial authorities.
Each succeeding dispatch indicates that
some leading offender, having had with
drawn from him the countenance of the
emperor, has gone off and committed
hari-kari. But the frequency with which
anyone who knows anything about Chi
nese character that it is little more than
a mere device to avoid the punishment
which it is determined shall be melted
is a shocking PECULIARLY of Chinese life
that it is quite an easy matter to secure
a man who, for q pecuniary compensation.
will submit to execution either in per-
sonation of the real offender or other
wise. It is true that during the series Of
disasters which befeH the Chinese army
and navy In the conflict with Japan
quite a number of naval and military
commanders who suffered defeat at once
committed suicide But the circum-
stances attending the recent supposed
cases of suicide are such as to create the
profound suspicion that the supposed vic
tins are alive and safely awaiting the
settlement of the existing troubles.
Another barrier which stands in the
way IS the arrangement Of the details
necessary to secure the payment of the
indemnity which the foreign nations will
insist upon from China. There is no
source from which those payments can
from the duties levied on foreign COM
merce and under the system organized
by Sir Robert Hart. If the powers insist
upon the management of Chinese finances
for their own security there is likely to
be still more serious complications arise
than those which have arisen since the
close of the war.
The rumored engagement of the Ger
man military forces in the work Of pun
ishing those engaged in the recent out
break will, if found to be true, change
the entire face of the situation. It was
the German programme originally that
the powers should themselves mete out
punishment to the offenders. In this
programme the United States refused to
concur. The recent joint programme
agreed on by Germany and England now
that Russia has to all intents withdrawn
from the scene, and that the United
States is no longer an aggressive factor
in the situation, will tend to strengthen
any pretensions which either of these
powers may have to being authorized to
take matters largely in their own hands
But if any action is taken along those
lines it is quite plain that there is still
danger of more or less serious complica-
tons
Under all these circumstances, and in
view of the future policy Of the United
States toward the Chinese people and
their government, it seems eminently
proper that we should avoid being in
volved in any Of the proceedings which
may be decided upon outside the lines Of
national concert to which we have given
in our adhesion It Is time that normal |
conditions should be re-established in !
China. 1t is needful to the prosperity |
and peace of the country. The great re-
trade is being lost sight Of in the In |
sfstence Of the powers on apparently |
needless requirements. Already there IS |
trouble among the forces of the several |
PO"SLS- 1LO O!SpdtCNeS Oh TO-DAY even |
relate the issuance of a protest on thu
part of France against the action Of |
italian forces in firing on the Chinese, !
that in that particular section |
the Chinese are under the Immediate |
protection Of France.
The administration should hasten the |
final outcome of the prolonged negotia- !
tons looking to the establishment of
peace. We have no further interest In
the prolongation of present conditions. |
AS the nation taking the initiative In
bringing matters to a peaceful conclusion,
it is our duty to take some prompt ar-
hrmatfve action which will leave thu |
Chinese people in control of their own
concerns so far at least as any inter-
ference of ours is concerned. |
SATURDAY GLOBE CHANCES.