Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-02-08
CONVALESCENCE OF CHINA
EMPIRE OF THE DRAGON RES1sTS
THE DEMANDS OF RUSSIA.
Encouraged by the. United States,
Great Britain and Japan
to Stand Firm.

From the Shanghai Mercury.
1t is highly satisfactory to all well wish
ers Of China to see signs, In these the dy-
ing days of the year. of approach to a
healthier state of affairs in the empire
generally and in Pekin in particular.
There are several reasons for this. The
vigilance Of the Yangtse viceroys has
never once slackened. If ever statesmen
deserved well of their country they are
Liu Kunyih and Chang Chitung Not only
did they stand firm against the midsum-
mer madness of the Manchu leaders of the
Boxer outbreak, but they continued to
hold in check with firm hand all the tur-
bulent elements of the Yangtse valley.
When the outbreak was over and negotia
lions began 1t was the Yangtse viceroys
again who saved Manchuria. When the
traitor Ii had determined to sell the few
remaining vessels of the navy for an old
song they again put in an efficient pro-
test.
Resistance to Russia.
Now he is gone. There is therefore a
chance once again for those who are
dealing honestly with China to get a near
ing. Hitherto we have been accustomed
to hear of Russian demands from China.
1t is a sign Of a healthy return to vigor
to find that China on her side has like
wise something to demand She has so
far plucked up courage as to remind Rus
STA of vows and protestations, and to re-
quire a more rapid withdrawal from the
Marchurian provinces than the Muscovite
deemed desirable.
She thinks that Russian bookkeeping is
capable Of being improved that the in
demnity asked for costs in connection with
the railway has been too literally calcu-
lated and will admit of considerable
tailment. Next, she has the hardihood to
declare that she does not desire to bind
herself to limit the number of troops that
may be required to keep order within her
own frontiers, and, stiffened by outside
opinion, she further makes bold to say
that she cannot considering the favored
nation clause in her treaties) agree to the
extremely modest proposal of the Russian
that he and he alone should be the recip-
lent of any concession whatsoever within
the limits of Manchuria Modesty, China
seems to recognize, is a good thing but
she is convinced that Russia will be able
to get on very well without it.
Muscovites Checked.
England, Japan and America, we are told
are advising the Chinese government to
stand firm. Experience has shown what
they have to lose by Muscovite advance. 1t
Is to their interest, therefore, as it is to
that of China, that the further progress of
the bear should be checked. Herein lies the
strength of the Chinese position. 1t is be-
cause these countries have interests within
her borders that China may rely on them
for support. The only ground upon which
decisive political action can be based in
these days is interest. Strongest of all in
Manchuria, and part and parcel of that
in Corea likewise, is that of Japan. Not
one single paper in Dali Nippon, we read
has replied favorably to the Russian over
lures re those provinces. They recognize
that one Of two things must happen, that
Russia must stop Of her own accord or that
Japan must stop her. Next in interest
comes America, whose traditional regard
for Russia has till now prevented her from
saying more than that treaties must be
kept and the door remain open. Lastly,
Great Britain also, as holder of half the
trade of the Chinese empire, has more than
passing interest in preserving the status
quo.
China's Golden Age,
These three nations have no territorial
aims to crafty, no desire to weaken. no
need to degrade China. On the contrary.
the richer and stronger she grows the bet
ter will it be for them. The trade between
Great Britain and the United States grows
IN magnitude and Importance every year, to
the benefit of both financially and polit-
icaily. So it would be with China. The
richer she grew, the more she developed