The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-01
PEACE WANTED ) IN CHINA.

If it were the purpose of the diplo-
mats al work on the Chinese puzzle to
render that puzzle wholly inexplicable
to the average observer, they could
hardly have succeeded better than they
have Just what the terms of the so-caIled
joint note are, it is safe to say, not
one man in one. hundred who has been
watching the progress of events in tie
Orient for the PAST year or over. could
state with any ACCURACY. And as to what
the precise, position is which this gov
eminent now occupies in the negotiations
or efforts at negotiation it may be said
that the popular mind is to all .intents
a blank. = swe
The answers printed a day or two ago
to certain inquiries said to have ema-
mated from the Chinese government as
to the attitude of the United States in
certain contingencies to the demands of
the joint note seemed very reasonable
on their face. They revealed the United
States government as occupying a broad
can people desire to see it occupy. Yet
there remains much mystifcation still
surrounding the event. 1t will be re-
membered that a short time ago the
nouncement was made that the appear
ance of the United States as demanding
Internationally certain conditions from
China was explained from Washington
by the statement that the cipher in
misrepresent the position of this country
in that respect, and that the United
States really occupied the opposite posi-
ton. Later on the press dispatches
from Washington announced that Minis
ter Conger had been acting in opposi-
ton to his explicit instructions from the
state department. Since this later an
nouncement the disposition seems to be
fixed in official circles to hold Mr. Conger
responsible for whatever breakdown has
happened in the situation thus far
If the terms of the joint note are ac-
ceded to by China it is because she is
the victim of coercion. The attitude of
Germany throughout has been little less
than brutal The insistence on blood at
all hazards is essentially an element In
the case introduced by Germany Dr.
Morrison, the London Times representa-
tive, points out, and the fragmentary
dispatches from China from time to time
to hi. Lon
Waldersee is much given to using his
troops to impress the military power of
the allies on the natives. With this spir-
it shown on the part of the commander
in-chief of the allied forces, it is almost
futile to expect the early resumption of
peaceful conditions in the Chinese en-
pire.
1t is inconce1yable how matters should
have been protracted as they have been
if there were a sincere. desire existing
that they should be brought to a sue
cessful close. Every day that the United
States government continues in it's pres
ent attitude it is day added to the de-
lay. The three great powers involved,
which have thus far shown decided
interest in an early adjustment, the Unit
ed States, Russia and England, should
have it in their power before this time
to bring matters to a final issue. The re-
turn of the Chinese authorities to Pekin
seems first requirement to that end.
Unless there is a settled purpose to pro-
h.
empire it is time that some assurance
be given to the world in more Tangible
form than has yet teen offered that the
peaceful adjustment of existing difficult
ties is being sought by the concert Of
powers.