Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-12-06


IN which it has from time 10 time been
the task Of the United States 10 act in
the in terest OF peace and good order
The early appearance CT a large feet
Of European warships in the Bos-
phorus apparently assured the pro
teGlon Of the foreigners in that quar-
ter, where the presence Of the Ameri-
can statioRnaire the L. S. S. Scorpion
sufiiced under the circumstances, to
represent the United States. Our
cruisers were thus left free to act if
need be along the Mediterranean
coasts should any unexpected contin-
gcncy arise affecting the numerous
American interests in the neighbor-
hood of Smyrna and Beirut.
The political disturbances in China
in the autumn and winter of 191f-12
resulted in the abdicatlon of the Man
chu rules on February 70, followed BY
the formation Of a provisional repub-
hcan government empowered 10 con
duct the affairs of the nation until
permanent government might be reg
ulariy established. The natural sym
pathy Of the American people with
the assumption of republican princi.
pies by the Chinese people was ap-
prCbriately eXressed in a concurrent
resolution Of Congress on April II,
1912. a constituent assembly, com.
posed OF representatives duly chosen
by the people Of China in the elections
that are now being held, has been call
ed TO meet in January next to adopt
permanent constitution and organ
lie the Government OF the nascent
Republic. During the formative con
stitutional stage and pending definite
action by the assembly, as expressive
Of the popular will and the hoped-for
establishment Of stable republican
form OF government, capable Of full
filling its international obligations,
The United States is, according to pre-
cedent maintaining full and friendly
de faeto relations with the provision
al Government
The new condition Of affairs thus
created has presented many serious
and complicatd problems, both OF in.
.
tional rela%dns, whose solution it was
realized would necessarily require
much time and patience From the
beginning OF the upheaval last aut-
umu it was felt by the United States
in common with the other powers
having large interests in China that
Independent action by the foreign
! .
interests would add further confusion
to a situation already complicated 4
policy 81 International cooperation
was accordingly adopted in an under
standing, reached early in the disturb
ancas, TO act together for the protec-
ton OF lives and property Of foreign
ers if meuaced to maintain an attitude
OF strict impartiailty as between the
Chinese in their organization of
new form Of government. In view of
Contonding factions. and to abstain
from any endeavor to influence the
the seriousness of the disturbances
and their general character, the Amer
lean minister at Picking was instruct
ed at its discretion to advise our ma
toual5 in the affected districts to con
centrate at such centers as were cas-
lily accessible TO foreign troops or
men of war Nineteen Of our naval
vessels We're stationed at various
Chinese ports, and other measures
were promptly taken for the adequate
protection OF American interests.
II was further mutually agreed, in
the hope Of fastening an end OF hos
tilities, that none of the interested
powers would approve the making OF
loans by its nationals to either side,
As soon, however, as a united pro
visional Government of China was as
sured, the United States joined in a
favorable consideration of that Gov
ernments request for advances need
ed for immediate administrative ne
cssities and later for loan to effect
a permanent national reorganization.
The interested Governments had al
ready by common consent, adopted, i'll
respect to the purposes, expenditure,
and security of any loans to China
made by their nationals, certain con
ditions which We're held to be essen
tial, not only to secure reasonable pro
lection for the foreign investors, but
also TO safeguard and strengthen
China's credit by discouraging indis-
crimiuate borrowing and by insurins
the application of the funds toward
the establishment of the stable and
effective government necessary to
China's welfare. In June last repre-
sentative banking groups OF the Unit
ed States, France, Germany Great
Britain, Japan, and Russia formulated,
with the general sanction of their re-
spective Governments, the guarantees
that would be expected i'll relation to
the expenditure and security Of the
large reorganization loan desired by
China, which, however, have thus far
proved unacceptable to the provision
al Government.