The Globe-republican., 1905-01-19
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1905.
AMERICA AND THE ASIATIC WAR

AMERICA AND THE ASIATlC WAR
Russa's circular note 10 the powers
charging that China has been violating
her neutrality will give the war IN aspeci
which will secure prompt attention at
Washington. The charge made by Rus
sia is that China has been giving material
help to Japan, and in retaliation Rnssln
is ignedng ChHcsa terr''o~ Hco trcHtit
China like an avowed enemy. Russia
has not yet invoked the aid of France
uni.. the trayisions q tie treaty Of
alliance which commits each of these
nations to 20 to the assistance of the
other in war if the other be attacked by
two powers. 1t "a hot certain lha'
France would 90 to Ru:sia's assistance,
even if China should openly help Japan,
for he later conl 'hfn call on EngIaDf
for aid. Japan and Great Britain have
the same sort of Il league that exists be-
tween Russia and France. This would
not only broaden the area of the war, but
would make Russias last estate worse
than her first.
The United States is alert to the ne
cessity of preventing, il this can peace
ably be done, the enlargement of the
wars area, Secretary Hay is preparing
to 90 to the defense of Chinese neutrality
with view of preserving the integrity OF
that country, in the interest not only Of
the people of China, but also in the in
terest of the worlds commerce. 1t is
tolerably certain that China looks for
diplomatic aid from the United States ID
this crisis. 1t is likewise extremely
probable that she will get 1t. The inter
position of our government last February
in defense Of Chinese territory from iu'
yasion by either Of the belligerents had a
profound effect. 1t surprised the old
world chancelleries, but it accomplished
its purpose, Both Japan and China, SO
far as the world has been able 10 learn
definitely, have respected Chinese neu'
trality from the beginning Of the war,
except IN the past few days in the case
Of Russia, for Russia's accusations Of
Chinese aid TO Japan are not substantial
ed by any evidence which the world has
been able to get at Russias charges
against Japan have given herself a pre-
text to infringe on Chinese territory, as
she has done in the recent C0Ssack raid,
though that demonstration has accomp-
lished nothing for The cars troops in
military way
In this exigency both China and the
neutral nations of Europe are eagerly
awaiting the course which the United
States may take. The United States has
done some valuable fayOrs Tor China in
the past few years, We saved China
from spoilation after the capture Oi
Pekin by the allies in 1900 in the Boxer
rebellion. Our troops we're the first for
elgn soldiers to leave China alter the
work of the rescue of the legislation had
been accomplished. The intercession by
us reduced materially the indemnity
which most of the European nations,
particularly Russia, Germany and France
proposed to make China pay. The OBJ
ject seemed to be to put the money pay
ment so high that China could not meet
it, and then territory would be seized as
security. In the area which would thus
come under the continental European
nations trade barriers would soon be
erected against all the rest of the world.
The United States trade with China is
growing rapidly. 1t Is bound to increase
faster than that Of any other country
with China, providing the big empire is
kept intact. Its growth after the com
pletion of the Panama canal will be par
tlcularly rapid. All these thinga give us
a stake in the preservation of the Chinese
empire which will make our authorities
at Washington alert to the dangers con-
fronting the empire. The United States
alt.alc Oh the Iu4ao Japaasia cOmpll-
cation in China will command the worlds
attention. st. Louis Globe-Democrat.