The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-07-05
IN CHINA.

There is abundant reason for fearing
that before this time the legations at
Pekin have had to surrender to the in
furiated mobs and that their occupants
have been brutally murdered; but if
they are still holding out there is little
chance OF their being able to continue to
do so until relief comes. There is much
criticism of what seems to be slowness
on the part Of the powers in organizing
and setting in motion a relief force, but
it proceeds from lack of appreciation
of the difficulties that are in the way.
When the trouble first broke out nobody
fOresaW the proportions it was destined
to attain. Some disturbances were
looked for, but it was generally believed
that enough marines could be supplied
by the allied fleets to check the rising,
or at least to protect the foreign resi-
dents. Only when Admiral Seymour set
out for Pekin did he discover how gen.
eral and determined the instruction was
He found the country full of modern arms,
and he encountered vast hordes of insur-
gents who, if they did not fight with Skill
at least fought with bravery and utter in
difference to loss of life. His failure to
get to Pekin and his retreat made mat
ters worse. Since he got back with the
remnant of his force TO lien Tsin, what
European troops have collected there
have had about all they could do to pro
tect the foreign residents there and hold
their own. The whole force there is too
small to open the way to Pekin, even if
it could all be utilized, and as matter of
fact the most, if not all, of it is needed
where it is. But why are there not more
troops on hand? Russia has many troops
in Manchuria, it is said That is so, but
q rebellion has broken out there and the
railroad tracks have been torn up, max
ing it slow and difficult to move troops,
even if Russia has any to spare. Japan
is not very far away, but a considerable
stretch Of sea must be crossed and to
transport troops by water is slow and
difficult task even for the best equipped
nations. Doubtless also there have been
some jealOusies among the powers, especi-
ally between Russia and Japan, which
have made each one of them reluctant to
allow the forces of any one nation to
largely preponderate over those of the
others. Since the extent OF the danger
has been realized the powers have prob
ably done all that was possible to meet
and avert it. At the same time we are
inclined to think that they are to a con-
siderable extent, responsible for the exis-
tence OF the danger. For long time
they have been openly and publicly dis
cussing the dismemberment Of the en-
pire, treating it as question which
concerned themselves alone and was to
be decided from the standpoint of their
own interests, without regard to the
wishes of the people of the country.
Several Of them, too on various pretexts,
oftentimes very slight, have seized Chi
nese territory and demanded all sorts
of concessions for their citizens. These
transactions have undoubtedly done much
to fan the latent hatred of foreigners,
which always has existed in that coun.
try, into the flame which we now see.
While Of course the most vigorous efforts
must be made to restore order and COM