Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-20
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

China Is a long distance away from
the United States, and 1t might be
assumed that our interests in its peace
are of small account. A minister of
one of the church organizations. who
has lived there stated to his flock,
this week, that Americans are in no
danger, except what is incidental TO
being found within war zone no
danger because they are Americans or
foreigners. Yet the press news in
forms the public that Chinese hatred
Of foreigners has eliminated in mob
attacks in which women have been
dragged by the hair for long distances,
and otherwise maltreated, though 1t
does not appear that any Americans
have vet been killed. Antipathy is
most particularly aimed at the Brit
ish. but it is not at all certain that all
Cinnamon can make fine distinctions
between nationalities which speak the
same language Hence our Govern
ment. AS we'll as the British, is taking
measures to protect it's endangered
people.
In the House of representatives, on
Tuesday, there was debate on the Por-
ter concurrent resolution that all exist
ing treaties with China be denounced
so as to make way for new treaties in
dependent of alliances with other ma
tons.
Mr., Porter explained his resolution
as follows:
The situation as to the State De-
partment is such that by the Wash
ington conference we are tied up
with other nations, and the State De-
partment naturally feels we must act
concurrentIy with those nations, the
result being that nothing is done to
alleviate the increasing hostility Of the
Chinese people.
THE resolution has for it's purpose
to request the President to act indie
pendently, If necessary, in these Chi
nese affairs; to enter into negotiations
with only accredited agents Of the
government of China who are author
lied to speak for the entire people
No action has yet been taken on the
resolution-possibly pending definite
discovery of accredited agents Of the
government of China, authorized to
speak for the entire people in the
war distracted country OF 400 zoe 900,
80 divided by it's armies OF 1000 600
that the federal government has lost
It's authority In nearly every province.
Brigandage, rapine and anarchy pre-
vail, and mob violence against foreign
ers grows fercer day by day. Agita
tors have revived the lies that foreign
missionaries are killing Chinese babies
as sacrifices to their God, and other
forms Of Indictment Of Ignorant hatred
are revIving all the prejudices which
inspired the Boxer rebellion.
In the course Of the debate. Repre-
sentative Wainwright OF New York
dat IN extent q
American interests in China, and in
RESPONSE TO a challenge from Repre-
sentative Black of the same State
that no American had yet been killed,
| Mr.. Wainwright former A ssistant Sec
rotary of War; said:
ut does not seem to me that we
| should wait until some one is killed
when we see conditions which exist in
| Hankow and which may be precipi-
tated at any time in Shanghai.
| II seems to me that we should an
| nounce whether we are prepared to
! stand by the men, women ana emil
| dren and their property rights, ana let
them feel that they have the tull
power Of the Government behind
| them. and not 20 off on the academic
propositions involved in some OF the
| discussion at the present time 1t
seems to me that today Is a most
inappropriate time to consider depriv-
| ing ourselves Of the benefits OF as
ISOLATION with other powers for the
protection Of the lives of our citizens. .
! From data in MIR. Wainwrlghts 'eX-
| tended remarks" are gathered the
| following details as to American In
! terests In China at present:
The total number of American citi-
| zens in China is about IL 900. These
| include 500 male missionaries, $500
woman missionaries and 100 children
| of missionaries. In business and pro-
| fessional work, there are 400 men
and 900 women, with $50 children. In
! United States Government service,
there are lis men. 100 women and