The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-17
Circulation Statement.
The Chincse situation.

The Administration has renewed rea-
son to feel dissatisfied with the dlplo-
matte situation in Pekin, although why
il should not have been anticipated, II
II has not been. at the State Depart
rnent is more than we can understand
It'has long been evident that Germany,
having objects in view other than those
entertained by the United States anu
Russia. has not been favorable to the
Hay plan of forgiveness to and a noml-
nal payment of indemnity by China
ard believes that the treacherous Celes-
tials who murdered Baron Won ketteler
and stormed the legations with intent
to torture and butcher their inmates
deserve and should receive a severe OBJ
ject lesson. 1t is not our purpose at
this time to discuss the merit or de-
merit Of the German policy. Assuredly
il is one which meets with the approval
of the other members of the Triple Al
linnce Austria and Italy, and 1t was
reported yesterday that these three
Powers. Belgium, Holland, and Spain
acceding. had reached an understand
ing in virtue lof which they would OPP
pose the Hay scheme to cut down the
indemnity.
On behalf of the Administration ii
was said last night that it is not yet
certain what course England, Japan,
Russia and France may take in the
connection; that some or ali of them
might side with this Government; but
such an idea may be dismissed as hard
" worth attention. Heavy indemnities
mean what they are intended to mean,
namely. the partition of China, which,
since Russia has broken the ice by TAX
ing over nearly half the Empire. has
become in the view Of some European
statesmen political compensatory ne
cessity.
. If we grant the premises, these con-
illusions are inevitable: Russia will not
oppose the Dreibund and its small satel-
lites in their demand for excessive
damages. simply because Russia al
realty has what she wants out of the
game. and would be foolish TO stand
in the way of the Central European
States, lest that might be occasion for
interference with her in Manchuria,
Mongolia. and so on. France, with an
appetite for the extension of her Ton
quin possessions, would have no ap-
parent reason to stand in the way of
either her ally or of Germany, Austria,
and Italy. So, it would seem reason
able to argue that the interests Of all
the Powers. with the exceptions of the
United States. England, and Japan, are
identical, and that the reduction plan
will fail, for the reason that territory
and not cash is the vital issue. We
may admit that, If her hands were free,
Russia would much prefer TO see the
integrity Of the Chinese Empire pre-
served. outside of such additional pOr-
tons of it as she may yet wish to
acquire. But Russia has learned how
TO take what she can get without too
much waste of blood and treasure, and
To bide her time 10 secure the fullness
of her desires.
What the attitude of England and
Japan may be in the face of this new
development remains to be seen. As
10 the former she has now two hun
dred and fifty thousand troops in the
field in South Africa. Her Ifdian from
tier is said TO be threatened by one
hundred and eighty-five thousand Rus
slams. England is in no shape to swing
the switch Of an international school
master The United States may be
counted out. as its influence in the Con-
cert is nil. Japan alone appears to be
I'm doubt. That Power may change the
aspect of affairs by some sudden and
sensational movement. That. too. re-
mains 10 be seen. But that serious
events are presaged by the develop
ments Of the past few days is not to
be doubted.