The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-03-31
Importanc OF the Chinese War.

Very few people who read the newspapers
realize the vast Importance that is going to at
Zach to the Chinese war. The war of 1870 AZ
vas Insignificant in comparison. Then, the war
grew out of the destruction of some contraband
opium which British subject claimed, aud was
prosecuted solely in order to obtain safe con-
mercial intercourse with certain Chinese ports
Now, the war arises out OF persistent refusal Of
he Chinese to fulfil their treaty obligations, and
/ will be prosecuted until the foreign Powers OBJ.
ain satisfactory guarantees against fraud or vic
sence on the part of the Chinese in all future
lime. This is basis, and an aim which may
involve war of the very first magnitude.
| We have reason to believe that Lord Napier
IS instructed to consider the cooperation of the
| United States in the war the most important Oh
ect to be gained by his embassy to the United
States To what extent he has endeavored to
,chieve this end, and how far he has succeeded,
viii soon be known; it is not unlikely that the
appointment of the new Governor OF Kansas
nay have been disappointment to him, as it
deprived him Of the cooperation of the msu
who, above all others was most likely to share
the sentiments Of the allies of Europe in refs-
renee TO the complicated questions o. Chinese poll
tics. But there is plenty OF material for Chinese
Commissioners in this country; Mr. Buchanan has
only TO hold up his hand, he will obtain the man
needed. Mr.. Walker can be spared for Kansas.
Were the war conducted solely against the
Chinese, the English would not deem il so i'm
portant- But they are well aware nov that be-
hind the Chinese government stands the nperor
| of Russia, burning to avenge the losses he has
! suffered during the war. From Russia-which
has always been more Of an Asiatic than Euro
pean Power-the Chinese can obtain VIA. has
always been wanting to their armies-oficers
and discipline; and like the Persians with the
same advantages, may, under these conditions
make their enormous numbers tell with terrible
effect against their assailants. We hear already
that the Russian Plenipo.entiaries have succeed
| cd in efiecting temporary reconciliation be
tween the rebels and the imperialists; the colse
| quence Of which will Of course be to gather the
| united strength of the empire against the con-
mon enemy. Let q few officers, modern weapons
and a general notion Of modern military disci
pine, lie added TO ~ boons already presented to
| China by the Russians, and the war may become
| very serious indeed. The Chinese have fought
| well in the Canton River: under Russian leaders,
and after proper training, they might almo,,
| DEFY any attack. Their numbers alone would
laugh TO scorn any European armament. They
could easily send into the field several armies
| of million men each, and could provisi IN
| them.
| To meet them, the English and French have
entered into the usual war treaty, binding them
selves to prosecute the war jointly, &c, &c. 1t
is .aid that twenty thousand men are about TO
be shipped from Toulon and Cherbourg for the
Canton River Meanwhile, the British govern
ment desires TO ascertain whether the antiChi.
! nese alliance cannot BE- made q tripartite one,
with the United States as full partner for third
The question has 70 many faces that IL is sus-
ceptible Of great deal Of ventilation before a
satisfactory settlement can be made. II is dccid-
edly not the policy Of this country to join other
Powers in carrying out wars The United State
have not been in the habit OF considering th II
they had a sufficient interest in any question
which interested European Powers to induce
them to join them in any military or political
operations AT the same time, il is not certain
that this Chinese matter is not precisely the ex
ception which the foregoing rule presumes. We
are certainly interested in China as largely a.
England and very much more largely than any
other Power. One way and another the effect Of
the stoppage Of the Chinese trade by the war vii
be severely ielt here Should the Chinese port.
b. blockaded, .s they may be, for period Of
years, inconvenience would be felt not only Ia
commercial circles, but in every household In the
country. Teas have already risen thirty PEI
cent
Here arc reasons enough why the United States
should not he Indifferent TO the issue of events ia
China. Whether il happens TO coincide with Mr.
Buchanans views for this country 10 take an &C
tive part in the pending contest and be bebolden
10 none but Ourselves for the advantages TO b.
wCsttd from China, or not il is certain that out
mercantile interests alone impcratively require a
close supervision Of the turn OF affairs 10 that
section OF the world. The allied maritime Powers
quite likely to make Us shaiors in the fruit Of
THIN contest. whether We take part in il or no
std Therefore II this waiting upon England
seems 10 ihc President dccorous part to play
peilep' We may lose nothing ny it, Blu! what
cvtr j. done in IBIS respect no time should b.
lost u sci,ctitg man Of AZ least equal force aud
Npuiuce to Mr. Walker to proceed TO Coins
without otioy 10 watch over American Interest,"
l,,ic. aid so1, 'isr ihe government whether il
Ia. p,,-iblc to. pa.- riougu the present cust.
WITHOUT riihcr s1incng cur eouapy men ol
/ making va. an tur CigCe1