The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-03
The yellow Peril!

The yellow Peril!
Again we have Russian warning in re-
gard to the Chinese question: The other
day NJ de Bloch. author of THE Future
of War" which so impressed the Car
that he called The Hague Peace Confer
ence gave US mis- views on the situation in
the Far East. and admonished the civil
lied world not to lay too heavy burden
en- China, asserting positively that what is
now demanded of that countryis beyond its
ability to meet, even were the inclination
existent, which il is not. Now we have
an appeal to Europe and America from no
less distinguished an authority than Prof
de Martens who occupies the chair of
international law in the University OF St
Petersburg, was Russian delegate to The
Hague and President of the Venezuela
Arbitration Tribunal.
As We remarked in connection with NJ
de Bloch's argument in favor of Western
leniency and generosity toward China,
Prof. de Martens attitude is perhaps
more or less affected by his Muscovite en-
vironment and sympathies, and yet that
fact need not be taken as d.screditing his
reasoning in the premises. For some rea-
son or other it cannot be denied that Rus
sian statesyen and diplomatists under
stand the Oriental character better, and
are better able to gauge and utilize it in
their re..seeei>-s with Eastern States and
peoples. than are their rivals or col
leagues, as the case may be, representing
other Western Governments. In any
event, Prof de Martens is and always
will be entitled to respectful ATTENTION 10
anything he may say connected with the
great specially in which ne is an ac-
knowledged master In his present utter
ance Prof. de Martens takes occasion
10 correct a popular misunderstanding
relative to the scope and authority of the
Hague agreement. He says;
The Peace Conference at The Hague, the re-
suit of high-minded and lofty Inspiration pro-
claimed universal peace and hearty friendship be-
tween the nations. Almost Immediately after the
announcement OF the great principles Of peace
and arbitration, however. there followed the
TraIsvaal var and the Chinese mbroglio. The
Tegrettable coincidence of these unfortunate
events in South Africa and China has disturbed
many minds and has, in. great measure, az
ieeted the public opinion OF the civilized world.
Public opinion asks: What object Is there
in calling an international congress when it, reS-
buttons remain dead lettersg Why awaken beauti
full hopes in the hearts Of civilized nations if
;he dislllusionment is so near and 50 unavoid-
abieE Why promise the peaceablc settlement Of
international questions if, in spite OF ALL var
remains unavoidable and may break forth Al any
In0mentg
These questions which daily occupy tho minds
Of the civilized world, natural and excusable
Yes; they fully justified and not To be ig-
nored. must state At this point however
that all these doubts and reflections springing
lis flsElg aif.an
misunderstanding OF the conference AZ The
Hague.
Then the learned author goes on 10 say
that the conference could have nothlng
TO do with the conflict between England
and the Transvaal. The latter took 10
part in It. was not invited TO, and. as in
ternationaI conventions are binding only
upon their signatories. has no valid claim
to relief in or resort TO the arbitration
tribunal which it created Prof. de
Martens does not explain the failure OF
his Government TO invite the South Afri-
can Republic 10 participate in the confer |
ence; but il was unquestionabiy due to |
the fact that under the rules OF intaraa-
tional law. the State in question was no.
regarded as fully sovereign.
With China it was different. The dele |
gate from that Empire took part in .hc |
proceedings, voted on every resolution. |
and finally signed the resulting convention
without reservation. So that, on the face |
OF things, China is as much entitled to |
appeal TO the agreement and to the |
scheme Of arbitration il includes as the |
United States would be. or Germany OF |
Italy. 1T Is worthy of remark" Observes |
Prof de Martens. that public oninlop
has not demanded that the resolutions
adopted at the conference OF The Hague
be applied TO the conflict in the Celestial
Kingdom, and he continues
''on the one hand, the military onor,ti.,,s
against the Boxers and the immortal Cline. ann,
were hot recognized as partaking o! the r.atdtr Of
International warfare. On the other hand putIi,,
opinion opposed the putting in rrscgicc m tJiis
struggle VI the principles sane toned rs f confer
'ilee at The Hague. Public opinion cansi,ele,I ~,
settlement Of this conf:et by arbitration rs en-.
'irely out 81 the question. Tli. mus. inic,,i |
seem all the more extraordinary. ~ china Ind !
taken part in the conference at The Hariic ilcr |
representative gz+c his vote On all Tho I'll,
lions and signed the convention 81 tic sri.itr,.
non proposals. without the slightest recreation
= nder such circumstance. the question n,t
.alt arises: WHY should not the right Of
nina be recognized to demand arbitration he
ween herself and the Powers WHO lave invaded
ier SOLE Why could not advantage be taken Of
he share that China took ~ the proee,ditr.
It The Hague IN order 70 ailay in a friendly way
he strife that has arisen between China IN tlo
nc hand and Europe and America on Tho oil,-rf
80 far as h known here. 10 Power has. mn !
p tie present inomcui, thought a., scitiir.. ti,r /
1hincse irahroglio by arbitration.
Admitting that L Is very Iificul. 70 r.reer.
aana' and 10 judge tine Chinese people, fhuir |
lation9l aspirations. their ha!ifs and arrange. |
h-bf 4sl,..- I
i the Chinese are thoroughly different from
hose of European o.. American that It Is ;;n
,ossible &c judge thc;a from tbs standpoint Of |
ne CIVILIZED Christian world. The basic prin
iplea Of Law and Justice with reforonre 10 each |
etion remain The same, however. Throughout tic
Universe.
i'ihese principles should in litc .aaanc- he |