The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-11
THE SUGGESTION TO CHINA.

| THE SUGGESTION To CHINA.
! It is probable that the Chinese govern
ment will act favorably on the third sug-
gestion in the Presidents letter TO the
Emperor of China-the letter sent on July
2S--if it finds that it is not able to resist
the advance of the allies. But IL il should
| succeed in arresIing their advance the
suggestion will be rejected. The suggestion
is that the government put itself in COM
munication with the relief expedition and
cooperate with it in the effort to get the
occupants of the legations safely out of
Pekin.
It is evident that the government is
afraid that if II permits the allies to ad-
vance to Ptkin, even under an agreement
to retire as soon as they get
possession of the occupants of the
legations, the Powers will make exor-
hitant demands for indemnity, and will
refuse to l=ave the capital until these de-
mands are compiied with. II that is it's
reason for hssitating TO accept the Pres
idents suggestion its hesitation might be
overcome by an understanding that only
American troops shall advance to Pc
kin to receive the ministers and those de-
pendent upon them.
The government understands very well
that the United States are not seeking
Chinese territory and are not unfriend{y
TO the Chinese people. 1t has every rea-
son to believe it can trust the Americans.
1t is probable that the United States win
make demand for indemnity of some
kind because their minister has been at
tackled and his life and the lives of the
members of the American legation have
been put in jeopardy. 1t is also probable
that some of the defenders of the legation
and a number of American missionaries
have been killed. The government has
grossly violated it's treaty obligations to
the United States and 1t no doubt ex-
poets it will have to make reparation of
some sort. Nevertheless, it knows very
well that if the United States agree that
their troops shall retire from Pektn as
soon as the occupants of the legations
are delivered TO them the agreement will
be faithfully kept
Still as already stated, 1t is probable
that the government will not accept the
Presidents suggestion unless it becomes
convinced that it cannot check the ad-
vance of the relief army. 1t never con-
cedes anything except under the pressure
of force
The Chinese are suspicious of the sug-
gestons and promises of the Powers, and
they have SEINE reason to be. Ever since
the Powers gained a foothold in China
they have treated the Chinese brutally.
Their chief aim has been apparently to
despoil them. Forcibly they have taken
possession of about ali of the harbors of
China, and in some instances they have
taken adjacent territory. 1t is not to be
wondered at therefore that the Chinese
hate foreigners, and do not trust the
Powers. Even the United States have not
at all times dealt justly with them. but
they have never despoiled them of their
territory, and, in the main, they have full
filled their treaty obligations. There is no
reason why Cinnamon should hesitate to
trust them. 1t will certainly be for the
best interest of China for the govern
ment to accept the Presidents suggestion
and get the ministers cut of Pekin as
quickly as possible. 1t is evident that the
ministers will not accept the government
suggestion. namely, to go to Tien Tsin
under the escort of Chinese troops. If the
government cannot protect the ministers
inside of the fortified legations, they GER
tainly cannot protect them outside of
them