Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-05
WHAT IS BEHIND THE ADVANCE
ON PEKIN?

Why is 1t that the Administration is
taking the lead in urging an immediate
advance on Pekin? Is 1t to rescue Min
lister Conger and the other Americans
with him in the legations? If so, from
whom is 1t proposed to rescue them?
From the Boxers or from the Imperial
Government?
The Chinese Government protests
against the advance, and says that it
is protecting the legations. The lega-
TONERS themselves say they have not
been attacked in nearly two weeks.
Does any one believe. (after what &C.
CURED at Tien Tsin,) that IL the I'm
perial Government so desired 1t could
not wipe out the legations in an hours
time? contrary supposition is sheer
nonsense. The legationers themselves
have been asserting for more than a
month that they Were at the mercy
Of the Chinese at any time determ1n-
ed attack should be made The case.
therefore, stands that the legations
are now being protected by some re-
sponsible government at Pekin. The
safety of the Americans in the lega-
tions is the supreme question with this
government. To advance on Pekin is
to commit an act of war. Will that tend
to promote the safety of the legation
ers? Such an advance can only be JUS
tilted on the ground that we are deal
ing with n government either unable
or unwilling to accord our representa-
tive the security prescribed by interna-
tional law, which we now know to be
untrue.
One thing is plain-our people in the
legation are alive, because somebody in
authority at Pekin has kept them alive.
This person in authority. whoever it
may be. desires to negotiate without
further bloodshed. Undoubtedly by ne
gotiation our people can be saved. Is
1t equally certain that we shall be able
to save them by attacking a govern
ment that we avow is barbarous and
willing to compass their destruction?
Is 1t wise. If the safety of the legation
ers he the supreme motive for this hos
tile advance. to make it purely n mat
ter of Indifference to the Pekin author
tiles whether the lcSationers live or
die?
Boiled down. the whole matter stands
that this government proposes TO try
TO accomplish by war, with doubtful
chances OF success. what IL could GER
tainly accomplish by peaceful means.
or course it will he asserted that 1t is
beneath the dignity OF this government
to enter upon negotiations for the safe
ty OF its minister. If China were
civilized nation in the sense that
France or Germany is. it would be. But
every step in this miserable business
has been taken on the avowed ground
that China is not civilized nation,
and is not TO be treated as such. Is
it not tril1e late now to change our
tactics? AS matter of fact, If China
is civilized. our representatives will be
now that its authority is re-esta blish-
ed; If the Chinese are mere barbarians,
better deal with them gently until we
get our people out OF their clutches.
In short. il the Chinese Government
proposes to observe international law
from this out war is unnecessary; il
1t does not. war would be Supremacy
foolish. in that it would merely hasten
the tragedy it was intended to prevent.
What is the business of this expedi-
ton preparing in hot haste to march
on Pekin? REVENGE AND LOOT!
Simply these, and nothing more. 1t is
proposed to punish the Chinese even
though in the meantime the legation
ers are wiped out. Ana then will come
the question of concessions and indem-
mites. So high an authority as Lord
Salisbury asserts his belief that the
government at Pekin has done the best
1t could under the circumstances. And
despite this we now have the revolving
spectacle of this government taking the
lead in urging immediate war, the con-
sequences of which may be the death
OF every foreigner in Pekin. and the
purpose of which is plainly the spoila-
ton of China.