The Washington union., 1857-05-13
From tho N. Y. Journal Of Commerc
RUSSIAN RELATIONS WITH CHINA.


If the rumor that Russia has been negotiating with
China for the privilege Of settlement the large fer
tile island at Fomoz at the head of the China sea- be
well founded she obtaining foothod in that empire
of which the British may well be jealous for it would
require only few years for European industry and intel
gence to convert that wild and uncuvated gem the
East Indian Archipelago into ourishing garden and
to constitute it perfect key to the western gate of the
China
By and through her diplomatic relations at Pekn--
which understand to be managed through class Of
Russian professors and students in the college of that
capital and not through fully accredited envoyRus-
sa has succeeded in accomplishing than the world
is generally Of For many years she had enjoyed
monopoly of the trade with China the northern
and eastern frontier of the Interior and permitted to
keep small force at Kiachta When some fifteen years
ago. treaties entered into by China opening five of
the principal ports Of the seaboard to British and Amer
commerce, Russia applied for the privileges and
told that her monopoly of the trade of the interior
than equal to those privileges which had been
granted upon the shore to other nations and that she
should therefore be content But she persisted in the ap
plication and finally succeededsome five years ago-n
attaining what she desired.
Russia has watched that quarter of the globe with
jealousy than any other Some five or six years
ago. when Japan expedition fitted out similar
topo Our fleet visited the shores of Jeddo Bay in july
ls53 and delivered the Presidents letter to the commits
soners of the Emperor, promising to return early the
next spring for reply. month or two Afterwards
and before returned for reply-a Russian fleet made
its appearance at Nangasai clothed with full power and
authority, availng itself at of all the moral effect
which visit to anchorage the capital had
produced and soliciting and obtaining promise that all
commercial advantages which might be accorded to us
a -s1 4 ~ - nu-- / IA -
upon the trail of fleet, watching il apparently with
great jealousy 1t at this time that the Russian ad
miral l-one of the highest and wsest officials the
person of his master the Emperor in obtain
ing from China the privilege of trade with the five open
ports of the sea shore
Since that time, and quite recently, the city of Kach-
ta the depot of Russian trade the interior frontier
of China has been raised to the dignity of highercass
city, and the Russian force we'll Russian commerce.
has been eagerly increased at that highly important
point This shows that the influence which Russia ex-
erts her southern border upon the desnies of China
is incidentally and necessarily very great Nor is it
astonishing for many of the leading Tartar chiefs
educated at St. Pctersbug and have the most exalted
opinion Of Russia They scarcely less Russian than
Chinese in their nationalties.
1t does not clearly appear that military preparations
have been positively made in Russia to cooperate with
China, but what her four large armies encamped
between the Caspian and the Pacific ocean, The
upon the eastern side looks watchfuy down upon Persia
but the other three along her southern Siberia border evil
IDENTIFY have eye to China with which she is much
identified in her interests. For would it be difficult to
turn the energies of the the eastern side Of the
Caspian in that direction These considerations, in
nexion with the late thorough surveys of the Saghaien
river clearly indicate that Russia is not merely quiet look
er-on in this British war with China.
II is but reasonable therefore, to supposen view Of
the past and probable futurethat Russia while appa-
rently occupying position strictly neutral, must
theess sympathze to greater less extent with China
in the present war; it, by and through her extensive
commerce from beyond the Great WALL she does not in
cidentally afford aid and comfort.
A. 4