The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-02-19
,4su.-tion statement
The Administration and China.

The London Times today. editorially
calls attention to the statement Of its
American correspondent to the effect that
Count Won WaIdersee's proposal fills the
Administration with absolute dismay,"
and remarks. with quite excusable sar-
= casm: This is not surprising, in view Of
the past attitude of the United States, be
cause the Gevernment realizes that at
last it must settle not merely whether 1t
will have a policy, but what it is to be-
That is q shat at the truth which hits
very close to the centre The Administra-
ton has never yet had a settled =>e-tey IN
China. unless its webbing from day 20 day
for weeks. ending in the undignified and,
to the other Powers. afronting cut and
scuttie from Pekin. can be held to amount
to one. Now 1t is confronted with situa-
ton Of portentous gravity. If Count Won
Waldersee. in command of the German,
British. French. Austrian. and italian cen
tingents be permitted to resume hostfli-
ties that may result in the partition OF
China. and, unless the United States
should join in the movement, there would
be a very poor chance for this country
in the final settlement.
The Administration hopes. however, TO
secure a common understanding With Rus
STA and Japan and through it to prevent
the consummation of the general-in-chief S
plauz. This hope may be realized as far
as Russia is concerned. since it is nearly
certain that the Car wishes to avoid an
other clash al arms with China. and is in
different to the outcome OF the peace ne
gotfations. But. as for japan. there is
more doubt That power would appear
likely TO range Itself rather with Great
Britain than with the United States az this
juncture. as the former has defined and
scientific policy upoz which some reliance
can be placed while the latter thus far has
given no evidence of such thing il pos
session Whatever is to be done must be
done quickly, because the expedition to
clear the Province OF Chill Of Chinese
troops cow massed to resist an allied
movement 10 the west. is under orders TO
start next week.
If the conditions we're as the Admins
tration assumes them 10 be. there would
be no valid objection to the course It Is
taking But il is acting upon the fallacy
that the Chinese authorities have teea
and are negotiating for peace in good faith.
whereas all the evidence is contrariwise-
The council of ministers has been baked
at every step by Chinese evasions and
subterfgses, all desig ned TO kill time. and,
as generally believed. 10 merely delay
events until the Empress Dowager could
gather and equip a fresh army TO renew
the war Finally. when it appeared that
something was about TO be accomplished
the plenipotentiary powers Of the Chinese
ENJOYS were withdrawn. and that was
nearly tantamount to breaking on nego-
tIations
In these circumstances what are the al
lies to do? Must they sit stin and allow
the cunning CeIes5ials to play with them
forever The logic OF the situation would
seem TO suggest exactly such a means Of
bringing them 10 their senses as Count
Won WaIdersee proposes. No doubt it
would be better to avoid force if that
could be done; but experience seems to
teach that short Of violent measures the
Chinese could not be brought 10 terms IN
a month of Sundays. This evidently is
the view OF three at least of some of the
interested Powers, and perhaps Of a ma
jOrity.