The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-04-23

| ince ana withdraw her troops Is taken
throughout the world as n sign of peace,
as an earnest that Muscovite ambition
| to overrun the most of eastern Asia
| and master the Chinese empire has at
last been abandoned, temporarily If not
| permanently.
You should be very proud of your
| foreign Office" said Count Cassini, the
Russian ambassador to Washington. a
| few days ago, speaking to an Ameri-
| can gentleman who called at the en-
| bassy. Secretary Hay has done more
than any other living man to solve the
| eastern problem. All the powers have
now adopted his platform for the integ-
rity of the Chinese empire and the open
door, Praise from Count Cassini is
praise indeed. But other dplomatists
echo 1t. They point out that 1t was
Secretary Hay who injected into the
controversy over China's future the
moral idea which has proved to be the
key to the whole complicated problem.
This he did in October, 1899, when the
world first learned that the principle of
the open door had been proclaimed by
tIe american government. lHttt pun
ciple the United States has stuck to
through all the changes and cOmplica-
tions of the ensuing year. Since then
China has passed through the throes
Of revolution which for n time threat
ened the success of the American pol |
icy. Now and then appearances indi-
Gated that the cause was lost, and that |
,1.lt t,t
the doctrine of equal rights for the ma
tions in the Chinese empire. Germany |
has played Il fast and loose game, and |
France has consistently supported Rus
sia Great Britain seemed hOpelessly |
involved elsewhere. Japan was not big |
enough to stem the tide alone. Ridi-
cue was heaped upon the open door
programme. 1t was everywhere pre-
dicted that in China's revolutionary
turmoil Russia would find the oppor-
tunity not only to hold NIanchura, but
to advance,step by step, to greater con-
quests.
But there is tremendous power in Il
moral principle when it is constantly
pushed to the front by an able states
llldI SIttlHillS lOl IliillOll IKE llle
United States. This is what Mr.. Hay
did. He did it, not theatrically, not I
with bluster, but with tact and caution,
and always with persistence. AS it
was Russia's policy to creep with
stealthy force and combination of SOL
diery and railways over the coveted
territory, so it was Mr.. Hays policy to
I, Ia, |
warning of mo thoroughfare." Step
by step he secured pledges, insincere
and meaningless perhaps at first, but
serving as foundations to more valu-
able promises to be secured later. Thus
he built up his fabric securing the half
hearted cooperation of some powers,
the sincere support of others. But
every expression of assent strengthened
the case. Every new pledge on Rus .
sia's part, with whatever degree of good [
faith given, made it the more difficult
to repudiate the underlying principle ,
the occupation of Peliing by t
the allied troops and the long negotia-
lions which followed, the fate of China
and of the American policy trembled 4
n the balance. But tirmness on the !
part of the United States government !,
and the support of Great Britain and
Japan found way through that crisis. c
Early in the present year a second 5
'risis was reached. Russia was seek
ng Il frmer hold on Manchuria, indica-
i've of Il more aggressive policy as to 4
he whole problem. a new treaty with
rhina was under consideration, Il treaty
which if concluded would place in Rus
sian hands absolute control of all rail-
way, mining and commercial privileges
If the province At this juncture Sec
etary Hay came forward with his
note OF Feb. l. He defined /
Utmost startling diplomatic frankness.
lie declared that an agreement "where-
~ China gave any corporation or COM
'any-a Russian device-the exclusive
privilege of opening mines, establishing
ailroads or in any other way indus
rally developing Manchuria can but
e viewed with the sravest concern by
he government of the United States"
Ie added that such an agreement con-
tituted a monopoly, (which is Il dis
inct breach of the stipulation of the
reaties between China and the foreign
overs" He called the attention of the
russian government to the repeated
ledges which it had given, and closed /
18th an expression of the hope that the
overnments of China and Russia
'ould take such measures as would
relieve the just and natural anxiety of
ne United States" This note produced
profound impression throughout the
'orld. 1t was an application of the
rinciple of equal rights and equal op-
ortunity in ii way so clear and unmis-
,kable thas,it compelled attention.
Soon there followed third crisis. The
nited States had supplied the prin-
pie, now Great Britain and Japan con-
uded an alliance which pledged to this
rinciple support almost threatening
it's aspect. In plain language, the
lies threatened war If Russia did not
I've up her pretenslons to Korea. Still
ussia did not yield. She turned to the
her powers to ascertain their atti- /
lde in case of hostilities. France as
sual, was plant. Germany was look -
g out for German interests and stood