The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-22

project.
AMERICAN INFLUENCE AMONG THE CELEsTIALs- :
JOHN CHISAMANs OPINION OF UNCLE SAM.-The
letter Of our Canton correspondent, published il
another column, discloses state of facts which
is far from gratifying to oar national selflove
Whilst the English are respected and feared for
the sharp lesson which they administered to the
Chinese in 1910, the Americans with no such
prestige in their favor and with but few ostcnsiblc
evidences Of naval strength, are treated with
about the same degree OF consideration as the
Dutch or Portuguese. The unfrequent appear
ance Of our men-of-war in their ports leads
them, in fact, to question whether we have got
any feet which is at all worthy of the name; and
the impression is even said to prevail among
them, that for such vessels as we possess their
own jurks wonld prove match. This humliat-
ing opinion Of our resources is further strength
ened by the poverty Of our arrangements in re-
gard to our diplomatic representatives. With 9
people who are only to be impressed by physical
force and outward show it is obvious that the
rare visits Of an American man-of-war, and the
appointment Of ministers without a suffi.
cient personnel to sustain either the dignity or
usefulness Of their position, are in themselves
sufficient to justify their low estimate of us The
English make their power practically felt, and
consequently enjoy the full advantages of their
treaty. To do this they are compelled to main
tain consular jurisdiction, with an efficient staff
of official interpreters, and man-of-w war at each
of the Chinese ports. We seem to think that the
influence Of our name alone is sufficient to guaran-
tee protection to our interests. The natural re-
suit is that we find our consular jurisdiction
Ineffective because it is not supported either by
the proper lingual facilities for business or by the
material force necessary to command respect
Under such circumstances we must not complain
that the Chinese should regard us as only q third
or fourth rate Power, and look upon our diplo-
matte agents merely as policemen sent out to
keep the peace amongst the American residents.
We have at various times endeayored to i'm
press upon our government the necessity o.
paying greater attention to the protec-
ion Of American interests in China.
We were led to do this from con-
viction Of the growing importance of those
interests, and from the belief that at no very
distant period they would rival those Of any
other country. The rapid increase of American
trade with the Chinese ports, but more especial
ly with Shanghai, during the last few years, has
in great measure fulfilled our anticpations
1t is to be lamented that with the bright pros
poets thus held out to us, so few efforts should
have been made to encourage and foster them.
What viii be thought of the objectionable indf-
ference which leaves the dispatches Of our dipIo-
matte agents in China to slumber in the archives
Of the department at Washington until, as mat
ter Of form, they are disposed Of ca mdsse in a
semi-annual reply. This fact has, it appears,
leaked out amongst the Chinese officials, and
encouraged them to treat with greater insolence
and contumely the representatives Of Power
which they cannot but regard as Indifferent to its
own interests. Is it wonder that under such
circumstances the position Of the Americans
should be worse since the treaty than II was pre-
viously?
Let us hope that the example Of
the past, in this as in other matters, will
prove a serviceable lesson for the future.
The culpable negligence Of the present
administration In business so important to the
commercial interests Of the country win, we
trust, not be repeated by their successors. There
is no point Of foreign policy, perhaps, in which
Mr.. Buchanan can gain for himself so much
credit as the endeayor to give to our relations
with China all the weight which the resources Of
the United States can impart to them. The con-
A.
our rights in that quarter, will prove Of more &C
tual benefit to us than the prosecution Of designs
nearer home, which have only remote prospect Of
realization. If therefore. the incoming admins
tration viii take steps to strengthen our naval
force in the Chinese seas, and give to our diplo-
matte agents there all the moral and physical
support they require, they will inscribc Q large
item on the credit side Of their account with the
country