Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-11

But there is evidently something wrong
| in China, there is evidently some great
dissatisfaction, there is evidently the
danger of a revolt. What are the rea-
sons?
| The principal reasons are four in num-
Der: Japan, Russia, Great Britain and
France. The
Chinese Determined secondary rea-
to Develop Country. The United
States and Germany. The Chinese. both
governing and the governed, are not only
willing, but they are determined, to push
forward a progressive program for the
development Of the country. Railroads
have the first place in that program, for
without transport alton facilities develop
ment is impossible.
Such railroad development as has been
planned has been favored sentimentally
and financially by the United States and
Germany. But it has been forbidden
practically by Japan, Russia, Great
Britain and France. These four great
powers by obstruction, by intrigue, and
by diplomatic delays, have succeeded In
holding up loans without which railroad
construction in the southern part Of the
empire cannot proceed. The same four
powers went farther, and by thinly yelled
threats of violence forbade the construc-
ton of railroads in northern China, where
Japan and Russia have interests. In
Manchuria these prohibitions from the
tour powers We're absolute.
The United States and Germany have
attempted to befriend the Chinese gov
eminent in the matter of making rail-
road loans and in advancing the general
program of progress. but these two pow
ers have not seen their way clear to en-
ter into open opposition to the four other
nations.
Whenever China manifests any appar-
ent design Of insisting upon its sovereign
rights, something is sure to be done to
stop it. Only a few days ago Russia
the Chinese foreign office demanding
practical cession of a large part OF Chi
nese Turkestan. China protested, but
Russia talked Of massing troops on the
frontier, and there were signs Of military
activity in the north.
4 y
China has a small army, but it would
be no match for Russia. And then China
has the plague
China Was Forced to fight and
to Grant Demands. n ne"T atars.,ng ~
" Ocdtu. CIlHd COulQ not even pTcleuu
to fight. So the Russian demands were
granted and again that territorial en-
tity'' for which John Hay pledged the
world, was violated.
Yet is probably true that there is
grave danger Of another uprising in China
The people do not understand why their
government is so weak in the face of
foreign aggression They only resent the
oppression.
Suppose, for the sake of illustration,
the problem be transferred to the United
states. II there was pneumonia plague
In New England; and If the people Of
the Ohio valley were starving to death;
and II the only bit Of territory available
for increasing the food supply was Min
nesota and the Dakotas; and IL the only
railroads in that territory were owned
by Canada ana went north instead of
south; and il We had no navy; and il
bid us to build railroads in our own
territory; and if four great maritime
powers were to tie UP the finances of the
world SO that We couldn't borrow $50
OOO.OOO; and If, when plague and famine
were killing thousands of our people
a day, Canada would suddenly annex the
state OF Washington; if all these things
would be rumors of Boxer uprising in
Kansas?
But, of course, the Peking government
knows that another outbreak in China
would furnish the predatory powers with
the needed excuse to divide up the
country among them. Therefore the
government is all for peace, but it may
maintain it.