The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-12
THE ROOT OF THE TROUBLE.

THE ROOT OF THE TROUBLE.
1t has long been recognized as true
that no public character has had a more
benefOsnt influence on the current Of
Amer RRn opinion IN connection with the
progress of affairs in the Chinese empire
than the Chinese minister to the United
States, Mr.. WI Ting-Fang. He is look
ed on, moreover, as the one man who
had the largest measure of influence in
bringing the long period of suspense with
reference TO the safety of the legationists
at Pekin 10 an end by securing the in
formation which established their safety
1t is through the influence of Mr.. WI
in great measure that so liberal a view
prevails among the American people of
the rights of the Chinese people and their
rulers to control the destinfes of their
own country, as against any project
OF further desBoilment which the foreign
powers may have under consideration
The perfect frankness, combined with the
high order of diplomatic ability display
ed by that gentleman has enabled any
views expressed by him to command the
most respectful consideration of this peo-
pie.
The addro2s delivered by Minister WI
before the American Academy of Po-
litical and Social Science some time ago
was effective in attracting considerable
attention, on the brief abstracts of If
which were published in the press re-
ports, on account of certain references
which it contained and which were mag
nihed to many times their real signific
ance by the prejudice or i'll will which
they evoked. The text of that address
appears in the monthly publication of
the association named, and it is easy to
pass Judgment on its views as a whole.
There is nothing in that address which
could arouse any feeling toward it's
author by any thoughtful and wholly toll
Grant person save one entirely kindly in
its character. He reviews in the most
dispassionate manner and with deal of
good sense the causes which conduce to
the appropriately of the foreigners in
China, and he makes it pain that with
out any decided purpose On the part Of
the foreign rulers to stir 10 strife and
III Will. it is and has been comparatively
easy for foreigners, missionaries and
others, TO avoid trouble with the natives
1t is not necessary to set forth the
causes which operate to make the for
eigner in China unpopular. and the re-
moval Of which, according to the Chinese
minister, would remove most if not all
of the friction now existing They are
so simple as to cause Inc reader of that
address to wonder why steps have not
been taken by the governments of the
various classes of foreigners represented
to put an end to them.
There is one feature OF the situation
which Minister WI, however. does not
touch upon which seems vital TO the cs-
Enlistment Of anything like permanently
safe and agreeable relations between for
eigners and. natives in China. 1t may be
natives of given country have the right
to conduct the affairs of their own coun-
try in their own way, so long as they do
not interfere with the rights of the ma
tiVes of other lands to soiourn and con-
duct such business as they may think
proper TO establish without any risk of
the safety of their persons or property.
1t does not follow that the nation affect
ed has in the present condition of inter-
national relations the right to bar for
eiSnerS from the country or to make their
sojourn there dangerous or 6i agreeable
at least unless the nation so acting can
show tho possession of the ability to
enforce the exclusion by force of arms.
Whatever standing foreigners have
been able to secure in China has been
secured at the muzzle of their loaded
cannon. When Minister WI points out
that foreigners are rarely seen in the
interior of the country, save those who
go there to preach the Christian Gospel.
he unwittinsly puts his finger on one Of
the great sources of turmoil in his coun-
try. 1t is absurd to think that foreign
peoples, intent On commercial gain, will
continue to submit to such restrictions.
especially when their rulers show the
disposition and possess the ability TO
override such restriction, by the use of
force if necessary.
1t is not a question of national or inter
national ethics. It is question, or
should be, purely Of ia tionai wisdom
and eXpediency with the Chinese authori-
ties. There will be trouble as long as
they choose to disregard the determine
ton of the foreigners TO do business with
the Chinese, and to have free and safe
access to all parts of the country TO that
end. Any regulation which may be made
that Goes not concede the right, not only
of the missionary, but of the manufac-
turer and merchant. to go and come in
perfect peace and safety will be ahortive
in bringing about the conditions of en-
during peace and good will which Min
lister IFu would be glad to see estab-
lished