New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-23

Lord ElgiD, the English Plenipotentiary, is on
his way to China, bearing a programme of peace
full negotiations, in which not merely British inter
ests are to be considered, but those of the whole
civilized world. The high character Of the noble
diplematist is, to a certain extent, a guaranty Of
the sincere intentions of the Ministry; but all his
tory teaches that purposes avowed at the begin
ming of hostilities, seldom coincide with the ar
engagements which precede peace. The dubious
events of war frequently fatal to the best resO
lutions, and counter 10 the shrewdest calcua-
tons. Success, which stimulates the appetite for
acquisition, too often begets in the minds both of
individuals and Of governments an oblivion of past
aims and declarations. OF the truth of this, the
commencement and close of the late Eastern war
have afforded striking illustration. The para
graphs Of the Treaty Of Paris have little in COM
mon with the manifestOes which proclaimed the
purposes of the Western Alliance. The success of
the English arms in China might result in similar
Inconsistencies. With the Celestial Empire at her
feet Great Britain might naturally claim larger
cessiOn of territory than is now contemplated, with
guarantees Of firm foot-hOh in the country,
tensibly for the general and common benefit of
the world, but really for the purpose of strength
ening her positions in the Pacific, and of adding
another ndissoluble link to that chain Of strong
holds with which she has circled the globe.
During the last var with China, the spot most
coveted by Great Britain was the Island of Chusan,
the possession of which, according to Mr. Martin,
an English writer, would "open, sooner or later to
England, an entirely new commercial world
Mr. Martin enumerates the immense advantages of
the island as a central point of communication with
Japan, Corea and the surrounding regions, and
adds: Constant war with China is inevitable,
"until we are permanently established at Chusan,
"from whence single war-steaner could in few
.bours stop the whole internal navigation of the
"empre."
There is no little significance il this; and should
events prove propitiOus, who car believe that En-
clish statesmen would disregard an acquisition so
valuable? Geograpbers agree IN describing CRu-
san as one Of the most highly cultivated and fertile
spots in China, and as approaching nearer to our
ideas Of Eden than any other bcality on earth.
How much time will England loose IN transferring
its bays one ofwhich will easily accommodate more
than 100 souare-rieged vessels, and its harbors,
with their excellent sites for doclyards $50 much
wanted in the Chinese seas), iato as many naval
arsenals, combining in the Notifications OF Chusan
the advantages of Gibraltar and Bermuda Of
course. assurances will not then be wanting that
this menacing transformation OF the slandis merely
for the purpose of securing the good behavior of
China toward all civilized nations. But if single
war steamer from Chussn can arrest the navigation
of the whole Empire, small squadron would hnd
no difficulty in controlling the navy and commerce
of every other country. Let Chrsan become an
English naval station, and not only Chinese ship
ping, but that of every maritime nation will navi-
gate those waters and carry on their commerce
only by virtue of English permission.