New-York tribune., 1901-04-05
THE PERIL OF CHINA.

The Chinese Empire is well described by its
government as being at this time in the most
perilous period of its history. 4 few years
ago the world rang with talk of the yellow
Peril" That peril exists to-day more than
ever. but it has been changed from subjective
10 objective. 1t is net that Christendom is in
peril from the yellow race but that the chief
empire of the yellow lace is in imminent
peril from Chrstendom. Since long before
the Boxer outbreak brought to climax the
''irrepressible conflict in the East, have
held the opinion that the integrity and indepen-
dent sovereignty of the Chinese Empire
and are at stake. That fact must be evident
TO all the world today. Gloss it as one may
with diplomatic sUbtleties, the one salient and
supreme issue I'm Eastern Asia to-day Is
whether or not the partitioning of the Chinese
Empire shall he begun in the practical cession
of the northern half of it 10 Russia. For such
cession is what the Manchuran agreement
means.
There is well known story of a British off
Ger who. in an WcOmmOnly tight corner said
10 his men, "If stay here, die; if
go forward. die if 20 backward.
die. Let us go forward and die" They did
go forward. but did not die; but lived and
triumphed Russia's demand for the signing
of The ManchuriGn agreement put China into
/
be partitoned: if she did not sign it. she would
incur the wrath. perhaps even unto warfare,
of the great Northern power Either course
was marked with Gravest peril. Happily. she
seems 10 have chosen the which is at once
righteous and heroic. She positively refuses
to sign the convention which would be an act
of partition of her empire and gross breach of
faith with all the other powers, and elects TO
stand for her own integrity and to keep faith
with the world. In so doing she may be menaced
with destruction. But her fall, If 1t comes Will
at least be an honorable one. Whether or not
she will fall Is vet 10 be seen. 1T is impOs-
'sible," she says. that for the sake of making
"One nation friendly she should ALLEVIATE the
"sympathies of all others" Those memo
rable words, worthy 10 he carefully pondered
by the powers for whose sake China defies
the wrath and the might of Russia. We shall
see to what extent those powers make their
sympathies with China practical and potent
for her support.
At any rate the judicial observer can
scarcely fail TO regard the attitude of China
in this matter right. If that implies that
Russia's attitude is of questionable propriety,
it remains for the latter power TO vindicate her
self. Upon the face of The case. Russia seems
10 have been trying TO take advantage of the
international complications in China to conclude
a private bargain with China for her own ad-
vantage and 10 the disadvantage of the
other powers; and TO have done so, more
over. at a time when she was Ostensibly act
ing in concert with the other powers under a
common understanding that there should be
such individual bargaining. True, Russia in
sists that the Manchurian agreement contains
nothing inimical to the interests of the other
powers and nothing which they would not ap-
I'm hat str hat
she should so positively decline TO make it's
terms known to the other powers in advance
of its acceptance by China. If all opposition
TO IL could be dispellod by simple disclosure of
its contents what possible objection TO such
disclosure can there be?
Ii is not easy, either. to concede the point
raised by Russia. and by some Russian advo-
Gates elsewhere, that Russias relations with
China are exceptionally intimate, and her in
terests in China are paramountly great, that
she is privileged TO do what other power
may do IL is true her territory abuts upon
China: but so do the territories of Great Brit
ain. and of France and. practically of Japan. 1t
is true China is of strategic Importance TO her;
but certainly not so much so as to Japan. 1t
is true some Russians have settled in China
and are engaged in business there; but they
are not nearly as numerous the japanese,
or the British. or the Americans, who have done
the same. Ii is true Russia has consider
able commerce with China; but it is insisnif-
cant when compared with that of Great Britain,
and very much smaller than that of Japan or
the United States. The plea of paramount
privilege must therefore be denied. and the
sound and just principle be maintained that no
one power is entitled 10 dominate China, but all
the powers should proceed pari passu toward
q settlement Of pending issues common