The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-11

Our Policy in Chinn.

Russia to perfect the play by when she
practically dropped the allies and estab-
Iished an independent base for herself in
Manchurie the American Government
lately has swerved around to the side of
Great Britain. and in turn. has en-
deavored to undo the former triumph of
our splendid amateur diplomacy, by
aiding Lord Salisbury in little quiet in
vestigation of NIuscovite plans and pur-
poses In the innocent role of an indie
pendent seeker after truth. the Admins
tration has asked the Chinese Emperor
some questions concerning his alleged ac-
ton in entering into territorial engage
ments with individual States, and has in
formed him that the time is inopportune
for such diversions. But this action, as
we are assured through semi-officiai ut
terances, has not been intended in any
sense as Indicating the slightest doubt
that Russian assurances promising the
evacuation of Manchuria, and its restora-
ton to the Chinese Empire. are insincere.
1t is given out with much point and force
that such a suspicion would be impossible,
in view of the fact that within the past
few weeks. the Government Of the Car
has assured the United States of its in
tention to act in accord with the Wishes
of all the Powers in regard to the acquisi-
ton of territorial rights. To act as if
this country entertained a doubt of the
bona fides of this declaration, it is ex-
planned in official circles, probably would
expose us to Russian enmty. and might
be construed as insulting to the Russian
Government. This. it may be observed, is
very diplomatic and smooth. The wonder
is that the same prudential considerations
did not occur to the Administration when
it permitted Secretary Gage to ignore the
equally positive declaration Of the Rus
sian Minister of Finance. that Russia does
not pay a bounty to producers of sugar
intended for export; and on trust repre-
sensations to decide arbitrarily that a
bounty is paid. To us it would seem
almost as affrontive to withhold belief
from M de Witte. as from Count Lams-
dorff. But then the Sugar Trust probably
has no special interest in discrediting the
latter.
Were II possible to arrive at all OF the
inside facts Of the situation. most likely
it would appear that the failure of the
State Department to secure categorical
statement from Russia, fixing an ap-
propriate time for the restoration of the
status quo ante in Manchuria is something
in the nature Of a diplomatic defeat, from
the effects of which retirement to cover
for a season is the cheapest remedy. Rus
STA has neither been surprised nor cajoled
into making any definite promises. She
cheerfully pledges herself to get out and
abandon the great viceroyalty, with its
wide stretch Of territory its shores, ports,
and harbors, as soon as China shall be
able to furnish satisfactory guarantees
that order and peace are TO prevail on the
luGsn-( sbfneGe nd hat Rnggia1
railway interests and so on will be safe
guarded. No doubt the temporary occu-
patton" must reasonably be conceded also
to cover the period necessary for China
10 pull herself together and discharge
whatever cash indemnity may be found
due to the occupant" There is nothing
definite about this voluntary engagement,
and that fact worries Washington equally
with London. Should the temporary oc-
cUpation" last for a century or two. for in
stance. and Nieu Chwang be made Rus
sian tariff port, the entrepot for a val
liable American trade in oil and cotton f.
goods would be cut of. Little as sent- |
ment is expected to cut any figure in such
matters, it would really seem ungrateful
on the part OF Russia TO treat US that
way, after our helpfuluess in the sudden
and sensational Russo American cut and
scuttle from Pekin. without notice to the
other allies.
Altogether. the prevailing conditions in
China are rot apparently favorable TO the |
interests Of the United States. Russia
has successfully placed herself in n posi-
tion TO force the hand Of the Powers. 1t |
is now for them, or any Of them, to say
whether OF not they will openly refuse to /
believe the pledges OF the st. Petersburg
Government. and proceed upon the as
sumption tina, possession Of Manchuria is /
INTENDED TO Doe permanent all denials to
the contrary. Russia has only to wait |
and watch the drift Of events. u is not I
likely that her ruling men are much per- |
turbed over the matter. AS far as We |
can Judge from appearances. and from /
"a Information as the press can com 1
Ina:reas,-cst Britain and the United .
State II Isolated in Their desire to in /
terfcis D ;he Muscovite programme: .
surprising ii to be one Of pernianoucy.
Il is altogether probable that a condi- /
ton of affairs in Mongolia as well as /
Aianchuris. alleged TO exist by a special
correspondent OF the Berlin "TagebIaat."
who has spent "a year in travel over those
regions had been previously brought 10
tho attention OF the leading Cabinets Of
" thtfl " --i4l 'tI'r ms fTeEllhu cDrTeSpBu-
dent asserts that there is no doubt a Rus
sian prOtoctorute has been established
over Mongolia tho northern grand divI-
sion Of the Chinese Empire. and a coun-
Try oil imperial area stretching from Man
Ci.uria 10 Turkestal. Throughout Mougo-
liza, hc says the Russian flag has been
everywhere raised. districts organized.
and tax collection offices and branches |
OF the Russo-Chincse Bani, established;
with Russian officials Invariably in
charge.
Were W. 90 assume the truth Of this
astonishing sturl. aud also. that the Brit
ish view Of tho Mauchuriaa occupation is
wei grounded, then it would appear that
Russia bad succeeded ia advancing her
Si1or7an frontier south almost 10 a line
drawn across The heart Of China from the
Guif OF Lcao Tons on the east to Kashgar
on the west. n such vast enterprise
OF territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT has been
carried 10 the point where Russia is in
actual possession, and has been able to
Introduce such an army Of occupation IS
would be likely in the circumstances. it
may well occur to the Governments of
Germany, Austria, ard Italy that the
time for useful opposition is past They,
as well as Japan may decide that the sit
nation is no longer in the grasp of the
Concert, and that nothing is left to be
done save to sdopt tho policy of sauve .