The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-15

Critical International Conditions.

All the indications at Pekin, and in the
diplomatic atmosphere of Europe, seem
TO portend a speedy breakup of the Con-
cert of Powers. and the final partition of
China unless the Russian Government is
able and willing to remove the objections
of Great Britain and Japan to her policy
and attitude in the matter of Manchuria-
There is apparently some reason to fear
that as far as Japan is concerned, 1t
may be a question between Russia's will
ingness to see the Mikado compensated
in Korea and war since the pressure OF
japanese public opinion upon the Gov
eminent may force it into hostilities-
What Lord Salisbury might do in such an
event is probably doubtful. The British
Government is in no condition militarily
or financially to engage in costly war,
most of the operations of which would
have to be conducted on land. and in
difficult country. Although Great Britain
no doubt is sincere in preferring the open
door and freedom of trade for all nations
in China, to the acquisition of territory,
still it is likely that rather than resort
to the only other alternative in sight, she
would feel compelled to go in with the
rest. and get as much as possible out of
the wreck.
Were Russia aud the others willing to
give Korea to Japan as a consolation
purse, the way to a general settlement
by partition might not be hard to find
But Russia herself is suspected of very
well defined conviction that she needs
Korea to round out her possessions on
the Laio-ting peninsula. But for the re-
cent rapprochement between Germany
I
another point of friction might be dis
covered in the practical possession of
the Yangtze Valley, which has long been
regarded as a British sphere of infiu-
ence. hut which already has been sue
cessfulIy invaded by German trade. There
may be some understanding on this sub
ject between Berlin and London.
Nothing in connection with the Chinese
question in its current condition is
more noticeable than the negligibility of
the United States in the efforts which /
the Ministers of the Powers are making I
to secure a peaceful and secure settle I
nent with China. AS might have been /
expected, Commissioner Rockhill has 1
been instructed to protest as loudly as
possible against the plan of the coun- |
ell to demand punishment for the manda- |
rims and taotaies who were guilty of
torturing and butchering the American
and other missionaries. Enough blood
has been spilled is The cry of
the Administration. That is the phil !
anthropic fog which it is desira-
bic to raise over the situation, |
to cover the humiliating defeat of our
amateur garden-seed and postage-stamp |
diplomatic policy in engaging in the Rus
so-American cut and scuttle, and so con-
tributiEg to the end which this Govern
ment has continually deplored and en-
deavored to avert, namely, the partition
OF China.
Perhaps there never was time when /
the resources Of intelligent and trained !
were more greatly and imper-
atively N demand TO prevent a war
among the nations that might turn back
the hands on the clock of human civili-
cation and progress a century at least
There is every evidence of a grave crisis
in the International relations of some of
the most powerful States. 1t may be
passed without an open rupture; but if
so, The price promises TO be a practical
expunging of the Chinese Empire from
the map Of the world.