The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-04-10
The United States and tho Chinese War.

The United States and the Chinese War.
The Cabinet. is sui |, have had under ""nsl-
Grafton, the state Of our relations with China
and tli" telegraph informs us tlnt the Admins
trati"n have definitely refused 20 join England
AMI Franco in thcr hostile demonstrations.
The nsul, to oar flag has been amply atoncd
for, in the destruction of the Chimes forts, 10y
the American squatlrons The conduct Of the
Commanding officer, Commodore Armstrong
la, been highly commended. When the Chi
nrsr, without any rrov"ca''"n, fired upon M
American boat and killed two Of its crew. their
inS"rncc wns punished 10y the destruction OF
! the Barrier forts, md the general slaughter oi
| their men, and since the inilicton of this pun
ishmcnt the American forces have maintminc,l
their neutrality The same cannot be sai.l OF
the American couscl at Hong Kong, who par,
ticipatcd in the English attack on Canton, On.
tcring the city with the British troops an;l
hearing the American flag This conduct Inns
been ccnsurc1 both by the late and the pres.
cnt administration; us no consul has right
thus to involve his Government. The co-ope.
ration of this country, is no doubt anXiouSly
desired l,y England and France. and the eager
! interest will, which Lord Napier, the English
mici>tcr has sought its Interference in tn. Chi
ncsc difficulty will be from the following
! summary which we extract from tl.e C"arlcst"n
Standard:
'sThc generally well Informed Washington
correspondent of the Herald, telcgrapls I" that
paper about column of information concern
ing our relations with Great britain on the
China question. In 1893 Hon. !. W. Walker
wrote a paper upon the policy which should
lie observed 10y our Government towards China.
IL attracted great attention, but was never pub
lishcd !, seems however, that in some way,
| II copy of it come into the possession of the
English Cabinet. On Mr. Walkers arrival in
Washington few days ago Lord Napier, the
English Minister, Immediately sought an inter
view with him, and expressed hope that the
President would appoint Mr.. W. to the pos, oi
| Plrni po;cmtiarv to China. His Ioid,hip sail
tlnt the views expressed in the paper ahov"
mcnti"ncl, harmonizcd exactly with those "i
| the English Government. Lord Napier mex,
called on General cass, who at first secuted
| the proposition of an alliance between the
United States and England; but afterwards.
| upon his l.ord"siips earnest representations.
! promised TO consider the matter a day or
| two afterwards the rumnr became current tia,
| Mr.. Walker was 10 be appointed Gov. Of Kan.
saS. When it reached the of Lord Napier.
! he fastened Immediately and had IN interview
with the President, and cnd-av vored to persuade
him chat Mr.. Walker could do vastly more
! good by going rs Plrnir"tentiary to China than
! l'y assuming tl" G"v"rn"rship of Kansas. Tn"
President gave no direct answer. but referred
| his l.orlship to Cen Cass The Secretary,
however, was sick on the following day. and of
| course no conversation could he held with him
! upon the matter. On that day, too. Mr.. Walk
cr accepted the G"v"in"rslip o: Kansas. So
there is II" prospect "f his going to China. l:us,
sia is deeply Interested in the China question,
and her Minister nt Washington is said to be
watching l."rd Napi"rs movements with the
c!"Sest attention. The same correspondent
! SAYS that the determination Of the English and
French governments is to compel China to
throw open n! her ports and rivers to the COM
m''rcc of lhc world, and To secure protection to
travellers through that kinr,lnim-in Il word. tu
compel her 20 come into the great family g.
civilized States