The Washington times., 1912-08-30
RECOGNITION OF CHINESE REPUBLIC.

For about six months the republic of China has
been definite, accomplished fact 1t is unaccount-
able that the United States should thus long have
refused recognition Congress, indeed, has passed
resolution congratulating and felicitating the
Chinese people; but this is not recognition, which
must come from the Executive 1t is merely plain
ntmation from Congress of the course Congress
thinks the President ought to take; and the Presi-
dent by refusing to act, has in effect vetoed the
will of Congress.
Six days after our Government was notified, in
l793 of tine creation of the French republic formal
recognition was accorded to it. In l84S, the second
republic was proclaimed in France on February rs,
and we recognized it on February 2S. The second
empire and the third republic were just as promptly
recognized.
Yet in every one of those cases, there was more
excuse for long delay than in this of China. In no
one of those cases was the old government so COM
pletely extingushed, before the was recognized
as in the instance of China That is true, because in
this newest case the old government abdicated in
favor of the new, set the seal Of imperial approval
for whatever it was worth, on the new system, and
retired from all contention for the right of SOW
eregnty. The Manchu dynasty went as completely
and utterly out of existence if it mad never been
the sovereign house.
The new government, then, may be regarded as
both the de facto and the de jure government. 1t
has been the custom for this and almost all gov
ernments indeed, to recognize promptly de facto
governments; that is, governments in actual possess
sion of the sovereignty and apparently capable Of
sustaining themselves and maintaining international
relations The fact that there is some measure Of
turbulence, that the new government confronts a
struggle for continued existence, or that its legit
imacy may be questioned cuts no figure. The Turk
Polio f;on
despite that the country was still in the midst Of
turmoil Russia has constantly recurring epochs Of
trouble maintaining the present regime; but recog
milton is not withdrawn
China, though very rcn, has poorly organized
revenue systems, and needs money. The new gov
ernmen if recognized, could get easily all it needs
could establish peace dsband its armies, and
proceed to consolidate for its people the great bene
fits that the new order promises Without this rec
ognition, its status is unsatisfactory, dealings with
the forces of world finance are difficult.
The truth is that if the Government of the United
States wants to help the Chinese people, it could
do more by according them recognition at this
time than in any other way. Why not?
There are ugly stories that international bankers
anxious to lend money 10 the Chinese republic al
exorbitant rates. have used their influence to delay
recognition. With recognition, China would be able
to raise loans most advantageous terms and a
! fair rates. Without, she must grant whatever i'm
positions are demanded; and she must have money
The attitude of the Taft Administration in thi
matter is such as fairly to justify an inquiry int
the motives that have inspired it.
We pretend to tremendous concern about main
tanning peace. We are anxious for peace il
Nicaragua that we are maintaining a small army ant
considerable naval force there. In Mexico, WI
threaten to intervene at any moment.
But in China, where a republic has been estab
ished, and where its recognition would do vastl
more to insure peace than any other step we cou
take we withhold the recognition, and help to starv
| the new government into failure.