The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-06-27
TO SETTLE CHiNA'S FUTURE.
Problem That ConfrOnts the Pow
ers-America's Part.

REPVBIIC SPECIAL.
Washington June 26.-Though immediate
ly concerned with the question of providing
protection for foreign life and property in
China. the minds directing the Governments
of the Powers interested in the Celestial
Empire are projecting themselves into the
future TO settle upon policy that VIII
peacefully and permanently solve the Chi
nese puzzle to the greatest advantage 10
their own particular interests.
President Mckinley and Secretary Hay. in
common with the rulers Of the European
Powers and Japan. have been carefully
studying the present situation and the pos
sibilities likely TO grow therefrom. and no
one need be surprised IL the administration.
when the time for action arrives. should
initiate a policy calculated TO establish by
International pact the preservation OF the
principles of the "open door; perhaps the
maintenance of the integrity Of the Empire.
Farsighted officials fully appreciate that
with the Powers acting in concert as they
are doing to-day and as they undoubtedly
will do. at least until Pekin is in possession
of the allied forces. 1t will not be necessary
to play even minor card In the hand this
Government is filling. But when Pekin is
captured and international discussion as TO
the future of China actively begins 1t will
be necessary for the President to ascertain
first the opposing forces which are working
for a solution of the question and then to
get between them and to lead that faction
whose interests perhaps are similar, but
who in any event will be satisfied that their
best interests demand that they pursue the
road the United States Government is fol-
lowing.
President Mckinley Is .averse to the ac-
QUESTION of Chinese territory. He could
have had Wei-Hai-Wel before the war with
Spain. but resisted the overtures then made
by the British Government.
1t is evident to every official and diplo-
mat in Washington that change is i'm
pending in the reignirg dynasty Of China.
1t is plain that China under her present
Government is unable to maintain order
within her own territory. According to the
officials there is now but one thing to do
that is TO establish a Government of China
that can and will govern the Chinese peo-
pie. The organization of such a Govern
ment will be the question with which the
Powers will have to deal.
One of the great questions involved IN
the Chinese problem is the protection o:
pire. The President proposes TO boldly Up
hold American trade rights. and, no matter
what may happen to the Empire. re in
tends to compel the observance of those
rights.
Even IL China is divided into spheres. the
Powers will be required to join in a solemn
pact that will preserve the guarantees
given by the "open-door'' correspondence. 1t
olxv ,hn .aI
her intention to obtain possession Of San
Nun Bay. and Baron Fava Is a frequent
caller at the State Department.
Ambassador Cambon, representing
France. will. by special appointment. call
upon the President tomorrow. and it Is
expected that the Chinese situation will
be brought into the discussion. The OFF,
cials are gratified with Frances conduct
throughout the present difficulty. as she
has led the way in removing obstacles in
the way of concert Of action by the
Powers. 1t is said that Ambassador Cam
bon's call Is not for the purpose of making
any important propositions respecting
China. but is merely for the purpose OF
enabling the President to bid NJ. Cambon
good-by before his departure for the West.
No information has been received by the
officials of any friction between the Rus
sian and Anglo-American forces. though
no doubt is expressed that the report to
this effect is correct. II had been antici-
pated by the authorities that the enmity
of the Russian and English troops for
each other would show itself during their
Joint operations, and no surprise
would be expressed II It should
be found that the lack Of unity embar-
raised Vice Admiral Seymour In his ef-
fort to reach Pekin. While the troops may
not have acted In harmony. the several
Governments are. according to official and
diplomatic authority. acting In concert.