Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-06-25
TROUBLE
BREWING
IN CHINA
Government Fears II will Again Have
to Send Troops to Pekln

Washington, June 25.-While the
Japanese agitation is holding the
attention of the American people, It
is not tho problem in the Far East
that the State Department is worry
ing over. The Boxer trouble is caus-
ing decided 'uneasiness, and It would
not be surprising If the powers were
compelled to step in again and teach
China a lesson for the second time.
Already, II is intimated, plans are
afoot to prepare for such an exi-
gency, and It Is not unlikely that q
number of the officers who weather.
cd the last storm In the Flowery
Kingdom may be called upon to help
again. Principal among these is II.
c. Squiers, at present u s.. Minister
to Panama, and during the seige of
the legations at Pekin in 1900, chief
of staff of Sir Claude Macdonald,
who held out so valiantly against the
Celestial hordes.
The situation is really regarded as
ominous. The troubles in 1900 be-
gan in exactly the same way az the
present trend OF events. The first
outrageg several years ago were III
rected against the missionaries, and
advices were received last week that
similar outrages have been perpe-
trated in the interior, with the re-
suit that three American and two
British missionaries have been mas
sacred. IL was also learned that the
uprising promises to be far more
serious than that of 1900, when the
powers were forced to interfere.
The danger in the present situation
Is found in the fact that the Chinese
Empire Reform Association has
grown very powerful. This assocla-
tion is pledged to the overthrow OF
the Empress Dowager and the rails
Ing to power OF hor son, who prac-
tically has been a prisoner for years |
and dominated by his mothers |
strong personality. While the aims
Of tho roformers are said to be pa
triotic and progr sssivo, nevertheless, |
II 10 regarded ~ practically certain |
that they will raise n storm in the |
Empire that they cannot possibly |
hope to control. With the Chinese |
reactionary mob spirit loosed, the |
lives and property of foreigners |
would be In the most imminent |
peril.
There probably is no man connect |
ed with the government service.
since tho passing OF tho late Minis
ter Conger, who knows more of the
OF Chinese politics and
Chinese character than does the
present minister to Panama. Dur
ing the period when the foreign le-
cations wero boleaguered. Minister
Squiers, who then was an attache OF
the American legation in Pekln. had
active and personal command of the
guards. He was fitted for this ar
duous and nerve-racking duty by his
course In the Unifcl States artillery
school, from which no was graduated
In 1850, Although grounded in ar
tillery tactics, he was transferred at
his own request to tho infantry. and
later 90 the cavalry branch of the
United States army, eventually leav-
ing the army he entered the diplo-
matte service OF the country. So
successful was his defense of the
Pekin legations that he was extend
Cd the thanks OF the British govern
ment, an honor that is very seldom
bestowed upon any but British sub
iects.
While IL Is understood no invita-
tion actually has been issued TO Min
lister Squiers TO lend his aid In the
solution of the present threatened
problem. IL is likely thet the govern
ment will welcome The advice of all
IT'S servants verSed in Chinese af-
fairs. According to the latest re-
ports conditions IN China instead OF
growing better are growing steadily
worse. The activity of the Reform
Association Is more noticeable and
the resultant unrest OF the masses
Is moro apparent.