New-York tribune., 1901-02-25

chine with which no two nations combined can
hope TO cope. Since 1874 when the present
the ages of nineteen and forty-three serves In
the army, the last four years only in the re-
serve Fancy the numerical strength. where the
entire bone and snew OF nation Of 13O,OOO,OOO
people stands in the field, thoroughly drilled and
armed! Russia is not prepared at this time. and
1t is evidently to her interest to restore the
status quo ante. to foster and nourish the seeds
of dissolution daily growing into greater evil
dence in the Middle Kingdom.
For the United States, as we'll as for Great
Britain. the situation is one of grave danger,
and procrastination or temporizing can only ag-
unsafe maxim 10 follow. This century has
dawned with perceptible change in policy OF
the different nations The humiliation of space
by means of steam and electricity. and the elimi-
nation of time by the appliances. have
changed everywhere nationalsm into imperial
ism; that IS. government and governed alike
have expanded home questions into coSnopon-
tan demands Every eye appears to be fixed
upon China. where it's hundreds of millions
to pay for their goods with untold mineral
wealth heretofore guarded by the shroud of
superstition. To Europe and the United States
alike China is an Indispensable market, and
that market will be closed. Port Arthur has
-! cIoSou, anu dS Eo9loA WIil oe 80
this year, as soon as China is converted into
Russian territory.
REFORM THE ONLY HOPE.
There is only one means to prevent this and
at the same time the easily aroused riots and
disturbances which form never failing cause
for intervention, and that is by bidding China
reform. If procrastination continues, measures
should be taken to punish the recalcitrant Off
cials and remove them from office. The Chinese
people are docile and easily satisfied; firm
but just government would be gladly welcomed
1t is unnecessary to change the dynasty, so long
as Kuang Hsu remains alive, and if he remains
without issue, there are enough Manchu princes
from among whom he can adopt a successor.
Prince Tuan'S son. it appears, has been deposed
by the woman who has bid defiance to tradition,
been long demonstration that the Chinese
will submit TO every outrage. save that of actual
or threatened starvation, sooner than appeal 10
force to maintain their rights.
1t is impossible that peace, even for a short
time, can be restored under the conditions i'm
posed by the allies. 1t is mockery and
snare. Only consider the forces at work. With
all his apparent inertia. the Chinaman is not
stolid; on the contrary, he is keenly observant,
although slow to move from his accustomed
path. He is, besides kept in IL both by ataviSm
extending through ages and by the only semi
religious feeling which he possesses. in his belief
in luck" which he hides under the euphonious
name of ancestral worship. He is. therefore, by
nature conservative. and. coming into contact
with the Western barbarian, whose impelling
force is progress. antagonism must arise. I'm
pulse, motive, action, habit, all are mutually
antagonistlc. Both. as said before. have IN
common only the desire for gain The foreigner
has explored the country and discovered the
hidden wealth o. which the owner Of the soil is
by no means ignorant. This wealth. moreover.
can be brought to the surface. either by human
labor. which China possesses in profusion. or by
IdDOT saving machinery, WHICH the IOlSlSHeT du-
vocates. He Cthe foreigner in the open ports)
clamOrs for opportunity TO utilize his capital
to advantage. and demands safety for himself
and his investment. Here is the gravest danger
for the next conflict. The Chinese will never
allow the treasures which their superstition has
preserved intact TO be exploited for the benefit
Of aliens. 1t is therefore evident that. while
China must be opened in obedience to the de-
mands of the autocrat of our civilization. Capt.
tai. that opening must be accompanied by riot
and bloodshed. and will provoke Intervention.
It has been said that China's disntegration be
gan with the Treaty OF ShimonOseki. This may
be true, but. If so, il will be grave disappont-
ment for watchful Russia A. any rate, the pres
ent situation. while IL may be a truce, Is not
peace, nor will II lead TO IT.
r. VAN BERGEN
New-York, Jan. 2S. 1901.