The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-05 00:00:00

CHINESE POLITIC&

FOO•CFI0W-F00, OCT. 7.
Two nearly simultaneous announcements of a grave
character have occurred to flutter our deadly-lively com-
munities in this part of the world.
The one is the appearance of a kind of politico-geogra-
phical treatise at Pekin, in which the relations of China
to her nearest neighbours and also to the maritune Po wers
are reviewed. The author betrays a considerable and
accurate knowledge of the conflict of interests subsisting
between the great Powers of Europe and Russia, and of the
.designs of the latter upon the empire of the world. He
inclines to the conclusion that, for the present at least,
the maritime Powers are more to be apprehended tha❑
Russia by the patriots of the " Flowery Land," whose
true policy he declares to consist in keeping well with
all, and playing them off against Russia and each against
the other.

The other announcement is of a more official nature,
but it is like unto the first. I have it from the French
Jesuit missionaries at Shanglaai, the French consulate
at the same place, and the French bishop at Ningpo,
between which last port and Chusan there is nearly daily
access, and a run of but a very few hours. The French
missionaries in Chusan are vouched by each of my in-
formants for the truth of the story, and it is hard to
conceive that one so circumstantial can be entirely
groundless.
It is briefly this :—Russia has concluded at Pekin a
treaty with China. Three thousand acres of land and
a safe harbour upon the west coast of Chusan are ceded
in perpetuity by the " Son of Heaven" to the Czar. A
Russian Consul-General, with ample diplomatic powers,
has been nominated and accepted, and will reside at the
fort, which is to be immediately commenced on that
site. He is authorised to appoint, without needing
confirmation, three other consuls and diplomatic agents
for other provinces of the Chinese empire.
Chusan is quite unsuitable for commerce, unless con-
ducted by means of steam-ships ; and even for these
there is no perfectly secure anchorage and shelter against
typhoons. The tremendous and ever-varying currents
render this archipelago peculiarly dangerous for Railing
ships : but those who are familiar with the traditional
policy of St. Petersburg know that the interests of com-
merce are not those with which it concerns itself.

The crisis, however, is favourable. England, America,
and France are under the necessity of renewing for an-
other tern their several treaties with China, all of which
have expired, or are now expiring. A revision of each of
those treaties has long been felt to be required upon
other grounds. Will the "favoured nation clause,"
which occurs in the subsisting treaties, be overlooked
when the revision takes place ; or is Russia to continue,
in the face of that clause, to enjoy the sole privilege of a
diplomatic representative at Pekin, and this, too, at the
moment that she has obtained a participation with the
three Powers in the advantages first wrested from the
Chinese Emperor by our Treaty of Nankin ?
But I do not think that any revision will be effectual
unless negotiated at Pekin. If the three Powers, laying
aside their jealousies (which here, at least, will be quite
out of place), would only agree to negotiate in concert,
that would be an additional pledge of the good success
of what each has at heart. Their is fair water-carriage
for their men-of-war almost to the gates of Pekin ; and of
course the vessels which convey the sacred persons of
their representatives thither will be men-of-war, and
none other.

The rebellion is consolidated and settled in the pro-
vinces hitherto subdued, and is now spreading abroad.
Were it not that the mountain passes of this province
are guarded by some 30,000 of the beet drilled Tartars
of the Imperial army, under a rare and energetic man-
darin, Fokien would long ere now have adhered to the
movement. Disaffection is rife in every part of this
never entirely conquered province. It is now whispered
that the Tai-pings will make an effort to force the passes,
notwithstanding the Tartar garrisons, and give the mal-
contents a chance.
Soo-chow-foo, a large and wealthy city to the north-
ward of us, having more than 1,000,000 of inhabitants,
is said to have fallen into the hands of the Tai-ping
Wang, and he is also reported to be threatening Bang-
chow, on the direct road to Ningpo, from the rebel head-
quarters. But these late tidings of rebel successes need
confirmation. What is quite certain is, that the Tai
ping Wang continues to tolerate every form of Chris-
tianity withi❑ his own dominions, and is issuing edicts
for the protection of commerce and transit, and other
wise purposes, as an established Emperor ought.

REPRESENTATION OF SOUTHAMPTON.

Mr. Carden, a barrister, and a brother of Sir R. '
Carden, of London, has issued an address announcing
himself as a candidate for the representation of the. bo-
rough. He professes himself a Liberal Conservative.
Weguelin and Sir Edward Butler are actively
canvassing daily.
About 500 electors have signed a requisition .caning
on Mr. Richard Andrews to become a candidate. As
soon as he gets 1,000 signatures he will announce him-
self a candidate.
The chief advisers of Mr. Edwin
.James declare that
he has not resigned, and that he will not resign his
p
pretensions to represent the borough. Ile was expected
at Southampton last night. He has won golden opinions
for the defence of the libertyexcaiztleywoNfe
excitement
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the
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of
The`‘ L ourtdmLosut pcanolviiitchale Daily
in the town.