The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-18


uy.der the Geographic head.
The Collins steamship Arctic, with four days later
European news, is due at this p,rt to-day.
Russian Movements In China-When Will
Our Minister be App0ansedt
Our news from China affords an inexhaustible
fund Of matter for thought and speculation.
What object had Nicholas in sending ships of
war to Hong Kong Whittier are they destined?
What instructions have been given to the conn
maRder of the feet? Are they intended to sail
to Japan? If so, will they cooperate with or
oppose Commodore Perry /? Are they sent on a
special mission to China TO the imperialists
or the rebels
All these various queries are naturally sug-
gested by the appearance of the Pallas and the
Vostock in waters where Russia has no interests
to watch over and no commerce to protect.
Answers are readily offered by writers on the
spot and theorists in Europe but none appear
to rest on such basis Of fact or even CT proba-
bilty as to entitle them to implicit reliance.
Whatever designs may be nurtured in the
breast of the Russian government, those designs
are as inscrutable to foreigners as the DEGREES
of fate. Secresy is not less an invariable char
acterstic of Russian policy than ambition ;
and it would be a violation of the answering
rule of Russian tactics to allow its intentions
to be discovered before the moment of their
execution had arrived. Still there are acts
which force differences on the most cautious
mind. There are movements for which the
most scrupulous observer cannot help imputing
motives. OF such. to our thinking. is the ap-
pearance Of the Russian squadron at Hong
Kong. 1t may have been despatched to that
port for the fulilment of some business with
which we are entirely unconcerned. But it
may, on the other hand, be entrusted with ne
gotations either with the government Of China
OF that of Japan; and if so, it is more than pro-
bable that our interest will, in one way or other,
be affected by the result. No alteration of
the existing relations between the Asiatic
Powers on the Pacific and any European State
Russia contemplates either an Intervention in
the affairs Of China or secret understanding
with the Emperor Of Japan, it is obvious that
we should not be gamers by his success So
long, therefore, as the object of the squadron is
enveloped in doubt common prudence would
require us to watch its movements narrowly
and be prepared to counterfeit them if they
contain aught that could initiate against our
uture prospects.
Hence it is that in our opinion every fact
throwing light on the position of Russia towards
the eastern Asiatic Powers is of Importance to
US. The readers of the HERALD will not have for
gotten the attention we gave some months back
to the movements of Russian troops both in the
North and IN the w-rt vf A-iu. Dunaz vf n ur-isns
have been pouring down the valleys Of Turks
tan for some time past. A large body is now
assembled on the Sea of Aral and on the banks
of the river Sir. Throughout Khiva, Bokhara
Kokan, and the neighborhood, strong feeling
in favor of Russia has been aroused by inge-
NOUS agencies; and the bulk of the semi-b arba-
rous tribes who iHhabft those regions are quite
prepared to embrace the Russian cause in the
event of war. On the other side, an expedi-
ton. fitted out it was said for the purpose of
exploring but counting some ten thousand men
under its banners, was many months ago en-
camped on the northern frontier of Mongolia at
Kiakta With what design these various
movements have been made against Asia on
its two most vulnerable points we are left to
conjecture. They are certainly not intended
for defence. At those points Russia is impreg-
nable; and fears of attack, either from the Box
hara, or the Mongolian tribes, would indeed be
chimerical. They cannot but be regarded as
menacing both to the established governments
of o;a mi 10 h. H.
territory within its borders OF trade with its
inhabitants.
1t has been suggested that the Pallas carries
an envoy to the Emperor of China who will
offer to reinstate his Majesty with the aid of
the ten thousand men assembled at Kiakta. On
what grounds this surmise rests we are unable
to say. 1t is, in all probability mere baseless
conjecture. But the design imputed to the
Gar is by no means unlikely. 1t would be in
close accordance with the leading features of
his past policy; and he is in that position that
he could dictate to China any conditions or
any price for the service, he chose to fix.
Is not the danger grave enough to awaken
the attention of our government? Should Rus
STA interfere in China, it u.s. beyond doubt, first,
that we should net be able to make such favor
able commercial arrangements with the restored
Emperor az we should with a newly crowned
usurper; and, secondly, that Russia would ac-
quire preponderance on the Pacific that
would initiate gravely against our interests.
California and Oregon could not be Indifferent
to the establishment Of Russian protectorate
over China. Nor could the United States see
the despotic principle strengthened by an ac-
cession of nearly four hundred million of sub
jects to Russia without serious concern and
apprehension.
We do not say that such is the design of the
Gar. But so long as that design is uncertain