The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-06

WASHINGTON. May THE outward
complacency of Washington authorities
respecting the situation in the Far East
remained undisturbed to-day by the
alarm reports from Pekin.
officials of the Stae Department
denied all knowledge OF the developments
reported In the press dispatches indi-
eating that Japan Is about to resort TO
force TO compel China 10 accede 20 all
her demands. The State Department is
in frequew receipt OF dispatches from
Toxic and Pckin. but IT was officially
onhrming reported preparations for war.
SO strict has been the policy of secrecy
maintained that there IL a lack OF any
thing tangible on which TO base a fore
To do In case Japan should resort TO
force in China. The only positive in
formation obtained here since the United
STATES first manifested ar interest In the
pekin discussions has indicated clearly
that such part as the United States
might play would be passive rather than
active
There is reason to believe that one
reason why the Administration has not
manifesto "A greater interest In the
situation is that N is convinced that the
American public In not so deeply In
terested In tho fate OF China as to sup
port any measure involving risk on the
part OF this country. One OF the chief
| arguments advanced Ii the fact tina,
4 lNf. AAlla %
much as to China and that the country
cannot afford to risk the greater for the
less. An appeal signed by twelve
Christian Chinese pastors In the United
| States was made public .o-day.
There is no doubt as 20 opinion here
outside Official circles. Regret and ever
| indignation are expressed in many
quarters that the Administration is no,
! giving stronger indication OF making the
1 traditional policy and reputation of tn,
/ United States for unsclfsh friendship to
ward China more effective. Those inter,
ested In trade with China predict that
| the existing passivity means the closinl
! OF the open door" and the elimlnat Tor
OF that policy from among the numbe,
/ OF American doctrines. II Is said M
check will be put on Japan's ambition:
/ by the Japanese that they viii pro
I coed with China Just as far as the Pow
ers permit them to go.
The Chinese. II is believed. hope tina
after the war; at least, Japan will b,
| called TO account for what she may hav,
done to China, II Is known that many
officials here have had the same thought
believing that the interests OF Russii
and Great Britain In China are so vita
that they finally would be willing to x,
to considerable lengths in preventing
Japan from acquiring permanent advan
tages over them. The Chinese attitude
also will throw the full onus OF the war
II there is one. on Japan. In fact II 4
predicted here that war by Japan oi
China would Sdgmatize the Japanes
in the eyes OF Americans for many year
to come.
1t Is felt that there Is no ground 70
anxiety for the safety Of Americans O
other foreigners In China. II Is not ex
pected that China will be able to offe
military opposition on a scale whicl
would endanger foreigners to any con
siderable extent.
The United States now has a Legation
guard of ESQ marines in Pekin and tn
Fifteenth Infantry is distributed owe
the portion of the Tientsen- Pekin Rail
road allotted to this Government to pro
tect. These forces arc maintained as
result Of the agreement made wit