Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-30
No FnItcring.

The news from China, as regards the
present safety of the foreign minister's
grows somewhat more cheering. even in
the absence of official and positive infor-
nation. The Chinese edicts continue to be
based upon the assertion that the minis
tiers are alive, although the latest is said
to proclaim to the world that they are be-
ing held as hostages to prevent an inter-
national advance on Pekin. On the heels
OF this comes dispatch to the govern
ment from Consul Fowler at Chefoo giving
the substance of letters received from the
German and japanese legations at Pekin,
dated July 81 and %. respectively, showing
that the situation at the capital has been
improving since the 18th.
All this late information goes to show
that the Chinese government is getting the
upper hand of the insurgents. if 1t has not
indeed wholly subdued them or turned
them into its own service. This view Is
consistent with the steady development of
q tone of confidence in the official Chinese
statements of late. Had the situation been
as desperate for the emperor was at
first indicated it Is conceivable that the
imperial edicts to the world would have
been couched in a note of urgent appeal
for aid But with a conservatism wholly
characteristic of the Chinese. nothing has
escaped from Pekin of late to warrant .--e
belief abroad that the government, after
the first onset. has thought itself in need
of outside interference to protect it from
the domestic enemy.
The ugly fact remains that even though
alive the ministers are still in grave dan
ger. being utilized as buffer to prevent
an international advance. Such an ad-
vance has become absolutely necessary as
long as the Chinese offenders remain IN
punished for the atrocities already COM
mitted and as long as reliable guarantees
are not given that the lives and interests
of foreigners will henceforth be rigidly -
spected.
And so there Is work to be done in
China by the world. hard work. perhaps
bloody work 1t is the more imperative
now that 1t Is virtually declared to be the
Chinese policy tie prevent that perform
ance by holding the lives of the ministers
in the balance as check. This very ex-
hibltion of governmental barbarity typi-
fies the necessity for the advance. sooner
or later To yield now to this threat, to
pause in the advance, 10 withdraw the
troops. TO leave China to her own courses.
would be to confess defeat for civiliza-
ton from which it would never recover in
Asia There could never be any further
formal Intercourse with China after per-
hitting her to bluff the world in this man
ner. No minister could ever be sent again
to the capital. No commercial agents
could venture within the realm. No mis-
sionary could cross the border. China
would be closed to the world. having con-
quered the elements of progress, culture
and reform
Therefore, the duty of the powers is
even palmer now than before. The dan
gers of the case are accumulated. The need
o, caution. harmony and absolute good
faith toward one another is intensified
The ministers must be rescued. Chinese
murderers and torturers must be punished
Guarantees of safety for the future must
be given by stable. reliable Chinese gov
erlment-