Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-15
From the n. Y. Journal Of Commerce
RUSSIAN RELATIONS WITH CHINA.

If the rumoS that Russia has been negotiating with
China for the prviipg. of settlement on the large and
fertile island at Formosa, Of the head OF the China
sea- be we'll founded, she Is obtaining foothod IL
that empire of which the British ilay we'll be isal-
Gus; for would require only few years FOR Euro
pean industry and Intelligence to convert thar wild
and uncuvated gem Of the East Indian Archipelago
into Bouishing garden, aud TO constitute II per-
feet key to the Western gate Of the China sea.
By, and through her diplomatic relations at Pc
kiu-which We understand to be managed through
class of Russian professors and students in the col
lege of that capital, and not through fuy.accred
ted envoy-Russia has succeeded in accomplishing
more than the world is generally swa-s Of. For ma
ny years che had enjoyed monopoly of the trade
with China across the Northern and Eastern frontier
Of the interior, and was permitted TO keep email
force at kiacb,a. When, some fifteen years ago,
treaties were entered into by China, opening five OF
the principal ports OF the scahnard 10 British and
American commerce. Russia applied for the same
privileges. and told that her monopoly OF the
trade of the interior Was more than equal TO those
privileges which had been granted upon the ahore to
other nations, and that che should therefore be con-
tent But she persisted in the application, snd ana
ly succeeded-some five yeurs ago-in attaining
what she desired.
Russia has ever watched that quarter Of the globe
with more jealousy than any other. Some five or six
years ago, when our Japan expedition was fitted out,
similar expedition for a similar purpose wss fitted
out at Sebastopol. Our feet visited the shores Of
Jeddo Bay in July, 1883, and delivered the Pres.
dents letter 10 the commissioners OF the Emperor
promising to return early the spring for reply
month or two ailerwards-and before we returned
for a reply-a Russian feet made its appearance AT
Nangasaki clothed with full power and authority
awaiting itself of all the moral effect which
our visit 10 anchorage go near the capital had pro-
duced. and soliciting and obtaining promise that ell
commercial advantages which might be accorded to
US should be vouchsafed to them. They were con-
stanrly upon the trail of a-et watching it appa
reny with great jealousy. 1t WAS at this time that
the Russian admiral-one ct the highest and wlsest
officials the person of bis master the Emperor
succeeded in obtaining from China the privilege Of
trade with the five open ports of the sea-,hore.
Since that time, and quite recently, the CITY of ri.
achta, the depot Of Russian trade on the interior
frontier of China, has been raised 10 the dignity of
higher class city, and the Russian force as we'll as
Russian commerce, has been largely increased at
that highly important point. This SHOVE that the In
huence which Russia exerts over her southern Dor
der upon the destnies Of China, 10 incidentally and
necessarily very great. Nor ia it astonishing; for
many Of the leading Tartar chiefs were educated at
ST. Petersburgb and have the most exalted opinion Of
Russia. They aresoarcely less Russian than Chinese
in their nationaites.
Ii does not clearly appear that military prepare
tons have been positively made in Russia to co-ope
rate with China, but what means her four large ar
mics encampcd between the Caspian sea and the Pa.
oifc ocean! The one upon the eastern side looks
watchfuly down upon Persin, but the other three
along her southern Siberia border evidently have
eye to China, with which she is much identified In
her interests. For would il be difficult TO turn the
energies of tho one Oh the side of the Cas-
plan In that drecton7 These considerations, in con-
nexion with the late thorough surveys Of the Saghs
lien river clearly indicate that Russia is not merely
a quiet locker ON in this British var with China
It ia but reasonable therefore, to supposs-in view
of the past and probable future-that Russia, while
apparently occupying position strictly neHtral,
must nevertheless sympathize TO greater or less
tent with China in the present war, even it, by and
through her extensive commerce from beyond the
Great Wall, she does not incidentally afford aid and
comfort.