1. Violation of China's Sovereignty: The Boxer Rebellion was an internal conflict within China, and some argued that intervening would violate Chinese sovereignty and interfere in their internal affairs.
2. Lack of Clear Justification: Critics questioned whether there was a compelling justification for the United States to intervene. Some believed that the rebellion did not pose a significant threat to American interests or citizens and that the US could have opted for diplomatic negotiations instead of military action.
3. Risk of Escalation: There were concerns that US involvement could escalate the conflict, potentially leading to a broader war with China or even other foreign powers that had interests in the region.
4. Diversion of Resources: Critics argued that the United States should prioritize addressing domestic issues and challenges rather than diverting resources and attention to a conflict in a distant region.
5. Negative Impact on US-China Relations: Some people feared that US intervention could damage long-term relations with China and undermine efforts to establish diplomatic ties and cooperation between the two countries.
6. Colonialist Motives: Some critics suggested that the US involvement in the Boxer Rebellion was driven by imperialist ambitions and a desire to expand its influence in Asia, rather than genuine concern for protecting American citizens or promoting humanitarian values.
It is important to note that these reasons represented the views of a minority of Americans at the time, as there was significant public support for US involvement in the Boxer Rebellion. The decision to intervene was ultimately influenced by a complex combination of factors, including concerns about the safety of American citizens, the protection of commercial interests, and the broader geopolitical dynamics of the region at the time.