New-York tribune., 1900-08-19
j. M. THURSTON'S VIEWS,
THE SENATOR'S APPROVAL OF THE
ACTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
GRY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBuxE.I

IBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.I
Washington. Aug. 1S.-In the course Of a con-
versation to-day Senator ThurstOn. of Nebraska,
was asked what, in his opinion. should be the
policy of the United States in dealing with
China now that Minister Conger and the other
Ministers have been rescued. He said:
think this Government should cooperate
fully as possible with the Powers in restoring
order in the Chinese Empire and preventing its
ACKNOWLEDGMENT. / opposed to the dismem-
berment of the empire. though 1T is perhaps
bit premature 10 consider such proposition at
this time. / do not know that such thing is
contemplated. But the restoration Of law and
order will be the first step. My heart goes out
TO General Chaffee and his splendid little force
of American soldiers They true heroes as
those who so nobly and bravely stood on
the attacks of the murderous Chinese on the
legations The pulse Of every true American
ought to beat the faster at the thought OF
American pluck and bravery so admirably eX-
hibted. 1t is typical of the sturdy strength Of
American manhood.
What guarantees should be exacted from
the Chinese Government. what indemnity de-
manded and what disposition should be made
of the American soldiers now and soon to be
landed on Chinese sofI?' was asked.
1t seems mercernary for governments to de-
mand a money indemnity for the lives OF its
citizens, but such a course is the only legal ana
justifaDIe We don't want their lives, so
must demand a monetary CONSIDERATION
think the very least and it should also be the
limit. can demand would be enough TO keep
the families of those killed in comfort, for the
wounded. and full compensation for all property
DESTROYED and expenses incurred. I include the
soldiers who so gallantly fought their way to the
walls of the Imperial city, or attempted to- IT
would be hard to fix a given lump sum at this
time Perhaps $2O0.000,0OO would be reason
able indemnity But this is a matter Of subse-
quent settlement One guarantee we should
exact is that henceforth il may be possible for
a civilized to go from one end of the Chi
nese empire to the other with safety The day
for numbering foreigners for the only reason
that they are such should have ceased in China
If II should be proved that any of the high
Chinese officials are directly implicated in the
assault upon the legations and were directing
the attack. the Powers should insist upon their
answering for their treachcry with their lives
This fact should, of course. he impartia'ly and
carefully ascertained. but if proved they would
well merit their fate The civilized world could
hardly do otherwise than treat them mur-
derers. and act accordingly. If. the other
hand, it should be demonstrated that the
tacks were from mob, the Chinese nation
nation would be held responsible, as In other
instances of mob violence. I believe, however,
that the Powers should compel the removal Of
the caDital from Peking 10 some eaboard or
river city, where the foreign legations would be
under the protection of the guns of their fleets.
The Chinese would naturally resist such re-
moval to the utmost but 1 take it that it is the
consensus OF opinion among public that the
foreign Ministers should never be permitted to
re-establsh the legations at Peking. 1 think
troops should remain in China. at some point to
be fixed upon by the commanders. until such
time as this Government deems 1t exped1ent to
withdraw. 1 anticipate further trouble with
the Chinese nation in which our troops must
fight. it is whipped and demoralized and in
capable OF serious resistance to civilized armies
I am filed with admiration. every Ameri-
must be- with the attitude Of the Admins
tration in the handling of this momentous ques-
tion. It has been splendid. We have literally
set the pace for the Powers The Presidents
foreign policy has been admirable. True 10
original purpose. have pushed TO Pc
king to rescue Minister. and have been
perfectly fair to the Chinese without thought
of entering into a of conquest or Of
venge.
Assuming that the Powers will now land
troops in large force and proceed to cut up
China amicably or by force. what should be
the attitude of this Government during the dis
memberment process?"
We would enter a very strong and dignified
protest against the dismemberment Of the En-
pire. We would throw all the moral force of
great and powerful Nation against it's partition.
But l do not think would be justified in de-
claring upon any of the Powers, no matter
what action they may see fit to take in China
We would insist in all proper and diplomatic
ways. but would not resort to the force of
arms.
Suppose that China, in this event. to pre-
serve it's integrity. should appeal 10 the United
States?"
king, China is scarcely in the position TO
that China should make the appeal TO the
United States. cannot any ground which
would justify us in interfering.