The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-08-23

N ILLUSTRATION of the perpleX-
tiles by which the administra-
a ton at Washington is confronted
excerpts from editorials of ad-
vice in three representative journals
of the better type which unGuestion-
ably reflect shades of public opinion
may possess interest. The Philadel-
phia Ledger, ultra conservative, says
bluntly:
Having rescued the American minister and his
colleagues, the American soldiers should be with
drawn from the country as soon as possible. lt
is not our business to set up any kind OF gov
ernment there, nor to do anything more than
protect American lives that may be imperiled,
and demand a settlement Of our claims Tor
damages from whatever government the Chinese
themselves may establish. II we are going into
the business OF providing stable governments for
alien peoples, We shall have our hands full.
The Chicago Record is an independ-
ent paper inclined toward anti-impe-
rialism 1t is disposed to espouse the
Bryan side of the Philippine question
but with reference to the situation
in China it says:
Whatever difficulties may lie in store for the
civilized powers in China, it is evident that the
United States, both as one of the interested fac
t6rs and by reason Of the skill and resource it
has already shown in diplomacy, occupies po'
spion unique in its advantages. Thanks TO the
common.sense methods Of Secretary Hay it is in
a position to command consideration, at least,
for whatever plans it may propose. In
its past dealings with two or more foreign pow
ers China always has found 1t safe to rely upon
the tendency Of the powers TO divide among
themselves. The particular service which the au
tboritics M Washington performed, was theil
grasping of a complication too delicate for Other
nations to handle The fact that affairs In Pekir
are no worse than they actually are is largely
due TO the careful consideration but firm ant
cIergetic policy Of Secretary Hay, 1t was tht
american state department which first showed
the way to secure statements Of fact from tn
ministers in Pekin and so clear from the atmos
phere the mass Of rumors which clouded tn
Orient IL was the American state department
also, which hit upon the bold and simple expe
dent OF demanding free communication with AM
liberty for its minister as the only basis upol
which to negotiate for an arrest Of the advanc
upOn Pekin. While thus acting independently
aud blazing the path which the other power
wlre glad to follow later, the administration ha
cosoperated with those powers wherever co'opeTa
tion meant actual progress toward the Liberation
Of the legations. The success OF this diplomac
up to the present Is OF especial importance 1
view OF the precarious situation at Pekin "a
day. Two tasks confront the ciyilize
powers at the present time, when the future q
an empire Of 400, 100000 is to be determined
Some sort Of stable government is 70 be estat
liahed and adequate indemnitcs in some torI
are TO be secured. II is as little likely that t.
powers will come readily into accord on the on
question As on the other. In this situi
tion, with every nation more or less hampere
by its mistrlst OF ths others, l. is the Unite
sis'-s snnsrenty. which will be qualified