The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-04-12

Opinions OF the French Press the Chinese
War.
anaed from Ia Pasrie OF March L. f,r tse New York
Herald

Opinions OF the French Press on the Chinese
War.
tAnsated from Ia Pasre Of March L. f,r the New York
herald
1t appears beyond all doubt that the present hos
tties between the English and Chinese are about
soon to assume the moss gigantic proportions. This
new war will in all probability make that which
ragged abou' fourteen years ago to be mere secondary
affair, a mere skumish Of advanced posts in compa-
rison with what will now take place. What, we may
ask will be the results OF this new lwnr IL il
of out Of our power to predict this with any
degree Of certainty, but fully persuaded that
II will in the long run bring about the opening Of
the whole OF China to European commerce, and TO
the enterprise OF Christian nations. At all events,
IL is utterly impossible that things can remaiu az
they are now. Five sea ports only being open TO
Europeans on s the i'm nensc sea coast Of oriental
Asia, cannot for the future satisfy that want Of ac
tive commercial relationship With China which
torrents not only the English, but also the Amer-
cans, the French, and even the Germans. Either
these Eve ports will be forever and irrevocaby shut
I'D against all Christian commerce OF any kinda
thing which seem to US 70 De altogether Impossible
- or, Oh the other hand, all and every one OF the
ports Of China, 10 the whole length Of her vast sea-
board, will be opened without exception to the
ships Of all nations When this great measure shall
take effect, having been extorted by the power
Of an irresistible force, and when at length II shall
have been fully conceded by the Court OF Pekin, we
shall then see new era drawn upon the great Chi
nese Umpire IL vii be the era Of regeneration
nay possibly Il may be Of dissolution and Of disin-
tegra'ion for Cnius; but What does that signify
The great and essential thing after all win be. that
this coentry, which contains within its borders
at least third part Of the whole human race viii
no longer remain isolated and separate from the
other twothifds OF the human family. The great
law of uniou and association impressed by Pruvi-
depcc upon mankind ought not any longer to be
checked and avoided by the mere viii OF stupid
deepos residing at Pekin, where he Il surrounded by
mer his couns elors, ar ignorant and corrupt him
self In the meantime, until this great and highly
beneficial revolution shall be accomplished-and
everything leads us TO believe that the time NJ not
far distant when u will take pace-h will be ex.
ceedngy interesting TO collect together some exact
information and facts in relation 20 bis singular
nation, the Chinese, with whom u i TO be hoped
That hcncefor h we Europeans are about 10 have
more direct and regular intercourse. London
PAPER, The Journal If TIC Statistical Socicfv has
recently published letter written by SIC John Bow.
rpg on the subject Of the manners and customs Of
The people Of China. Sir John, we need hardly re-
mind our readers. Il the British pienipOtsnlary In
China az d superintendent OF English 90 nmerce 10
that country the interest attached % this letter IL
greatly increased by the noise which has lately
been made n the British Parliament IN respect 50
the name ana character Of Sir John Bowriug, and
hy the unjust attacks Of which this learned man and
able administrator has been made the subject.
perusal OF the document OF which we are speaking
proves coDcusivsly, that if Sir John Bowring has
been induced to ADOPT severe measures against the
Chinese. be d,d not do so unt II became necessary
nor was ne influenced by any feelings OF hate or
malice in TOE course he has pursued. The 6rst and
most important subject demanding attention Ia any
inquiry relating to china, IL that OF the population
of this country. fhe sum of 800 millions Of souls
ascribed % IL by rome authors, and those the most
exact and careful, appears at first blush to DC an
exaRge,aiion. Naturally enough il so appears 10
Europeans, no are IN the habit OF considering
population Of thirty millions Of inhabitants as con-
stitutpg a great and popuIous nation. We arc in
clned however TO believe that this estimate instead
Of berg txsggerati m is In fact below the real
number The last Official ceneus taken in China OF
which we In Europe have any reliable account, dates
| back fortythree years. and by the census then
/ taken, the amount Of the population of the EN-.
| pire was 3G2 000, 447,l 1888 souls. Nov this
| amount, large as It W., being the estimate made
! iorsytbrte years ago mus. not Only be below the
true amount ~ the preseps time, bul was doubt