MrP
Banned
It's true but beside the point. As already explained, the value of China lied in its population. Aside from leased settlements to conduct business from, China was simply more profitable left under self-rule (and, a sine qua non condition for the US, under Open Door policy). Direct colonial rule would require endless expense of coin and soldiers, which would soon have made the place a net sink. Just ask the Japanese.In 1911 The Qing government was overthrown and even though there was a Republic of China the place was pretty unstable.
But to repeat myself, the idea is a nonstarter because at the end of the day Willie didn't want to avoid the war, quite the opposite. Once the chips started falling he went all in.