New-York tribune., 1900-06-29
USURPATION IN CHINA.

We are glad to see that our "anti-lmperialsts"
are not losing the opportunity to take President
Mckinley to task for sending troops to China
His usurpadon there is clearly the logical de-
velopment Of his criminal aggression in the
Philippines. 1t is a case of government with
out the consent Of the governed, for no doubt
Captain McCalla is using full imperialistic pow
ers over any territory he is able to hold against
the Boxers and governing it in violation of the
Constitution. ForcibIe occupation Of a single
foot Of territory, no matter on what pious pre-
text, is clearly only another step in the wicked
scheme to convert this Republic into an EN-
pire. AS in the Philippines the occupation is of
course piracy, but having been accomplished
equally of course the Constitution follows the
flag, and the people of the lands held by Ameri-
can troops instantly become entitled to all the
privileges of American citizens Our fellow
citizens Of Tien-Tsin are doubtless being op-
pressed and, maybe, taxed without representa-
ton. Mr.. Mckinley may be tempted to dispose
Of them otherwise than Under the Constitution
for instance, to assure order among them by in
ternational guarantees But clearly that will
not do. Where the flag has f1oated the COnsti-
tuition takes its stand and Imperialism, whether
that of the Empress Dowager, the Gar Of Rus
sia or the President Of the United States, is ex-
cIuded
The Heaven sent defenders Of liberty are
awake and Mr.. Mckinley will not get troops
to China for his fell purposes unscathed. They
that it is invasion of the Constitution for
him to stretch the executive power to act in
conjunction with Great Britain and Russia in
a military enterprise If he can do that he can
declare war of himself, along with the Car,
and they know that the Constitution ex proprio
vigore gives the war making power to Congress-
OF course if American citizens are murdered
In China before any such declaration the Presl-
dent would be blamed for failure to protect
them, but that is Of the incidents of his
professiopt4 lie is expected to swim without
going near the water. He must prevent mas
sacre by the Chinese rioters, but by no means
do anything so imperialistic as to land soldiers
in a foreign territory for that is an act Of war.
and he has no right to make war. AS "The
Philadelphia Times" observes: 1--WE have no
more right to send troops to China than Queen
Victoria has to send her soldiers to St Louis
"if Englishmen's lives are imperilled in riots
there"
If our Government were so helpless, or so
treacherous, that wholesale murder of Eng
lishmen was going on here and the Ambas-
sador at Washington had to fee for his life.
the Queen might think herself amply justi-
fed in sending troops. But that is not the
question. The important point is that Mr..
Mckinley is a wicked imperialist, and any
thing he does with American troops is a usur-
patton Of power and an attempt to set up
military despOtsm, even If it is under the in
nocent pretence of saving Americans from muir
der by savages That is the true anti-imperlalist
doctrine, and we hope the critics of the Presi-
dents Chinese policy will not fail courageousIy
TO proclaim It,