The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-28
Foreign Intervention In China.

destined to effect notable changes in the rela-
tions existing between China and foreign pow
ers The revolution has reached point where
Intervention, direct or indirect, has become
almost matter of necessity, from the impossi-
bility of distinguishing between the government
de jure and the government de .facto. Some
time back, it became obvious to the plenipo-
tentiaries of the commercial powers, that it
was advisable to open direct communication
with the belligerents in order to ascertain their
views, and intentions with regard to foreign
powers and accordingly the Susquehanna
assembled the Yeang-tse-Keang as far as Nam
kin, where intercourse was held with the
insurgent leaders We are not yet fully in
formed of the net result of the expedition; but
1t is no secret that so far as gaining any con-
cessions from the insurgent chief, itwas ALSO
lutely failure. The language held and prin-
ciples avowed by the officers of the Tapping
Wang were mixture of barbaric ignorance
and profanity: he claimed to be the brother of
Jesus Christ, which is the title usually assumed
by the Chinese Emperors; and showed even
less desire to cultivate the friendship OF the
outside barbarians than the monarchs he seeks
to subvert.
Upon this, the ENJOYS Of the foreign powers
resolved to communicate with the other party
the government de ju,e-an the British and
United States Ministers undertook an exped-
ton to ascertain the views of the Emperor.
They have not yet returned.
Whatever reception they meet WITH it is GER
tain that foreign intercourse with China during
the coming year must take place on very
different footing from the past. So long as the
imperialists and insurgents continue to fight on
the Yeang- tse. Keang and it's shores, collisions
with foreigners may constantly be expected;
and it is reasonable to look forward to some
thing more serious than the recent brush at
Shanghai. Again, at the rate the insurgents
have been progressing during the past year or
two, the chances are that they will shortly
succeed in expelliDg the imperialists from the
five ports; and questions will then arise as to
the pay ment of duties, &C., in which it will 60
hard but foreigners will find themselves in
volved in the struggle. 1t is quite necessary
that some understanding should be had with
either party, or both, as to the ground which
foreigners must occupy. The safety of our citi-
zens and our ships require it: it is loudly de-
manded by the interests of our future trade.
II there were any reason to believe that the
rebel Tae-ping-W Yang was an improvement on
the Mantchoo dynasty, the question might be
easily solved. But from the best accounts, it
seems that neither he nor his followers are
any nearer civiliz stion than the ruling house.
Allusions to the Bible and to biblical history
have, it is true, been fnnnd in their prnclama-
| tons; they have waged unrelenting war upon
idols and hence il has been inferred that
they were Protestants, and intended to
christianize China. But this belief rests on very
slender foundation. Christianity gained
foothold in China earlier than in England. For
at least twelve centuries there have been Chris
tians in parts of China; now prosecuted by the
Mandarins, now protected by an enlightened
Emperor; now numerous, now few in numbers
but never wholly extinguished. Many es-
teemed works in Chinese literature were writ
ten by Christians; and it is quite possible that
the scraps of Christian history displayed in the
Chinese proclamation were borrowed from
these sources. But in truth, there is nothing
in the manifestoes or Tapping Wang which
might not have emanated from the Mussulmans
who live in certain parts of the empire. They
are just such confused jumbles as half-Mussul-
man half.Chinese might be expected to make.
The Protestant missionaries have made much
noise about them, because the supposition that
the insurgents were Christians naturally sup
posed great zeal and success on their part; but
We must wait till something more tangible ap-
pears before we can attach faith to the alleged
conversion of the nation. 1t is quite clear
that like all revolutionary leaders Tae- ping
Wang will wage war on everything which
bears traces of the present dynasty; and this
would fully account for his destruction OF the
images. He intenis probably to set others up
in their stead, quite as absurd and as foolish,
but bearing no connection with the Mantchoo
Tartar
On the other hand, the imperial cause is quite
as unpromisipg. The whole government of
China is stepped in corruption to the core.
Bigotry. fanaticism, Ignorance, knavery, false
hood. these are the characteristics OF the officials
OF the empire from the Emperor to his lowest
foot soldier. Every Chinaman steals and
hates foreigners. In other respects they differ
from each other, but in these they are all alike
| To this day foreigner cannot avail himself of
the privilege conceded by the last treaty, aud
walk the streets of Canton the populacc would
stone him; and to appeal to the courts for re-
dress would be simply to waste time
In a word then, if the war continues without
decisive success on either side our trsde will
be unsafe. If the insurgents are successful
Tae-ping-Wang is quite ignorant and fathless
enough to refuse TO be bound by the treaty, and
70 close the five ports. II the imperialists pre-
vail, the present system of corruption aud kna-
very aud exclusion will continue.