The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-18
IRE WAR In CHINA.
Move ments OF Mr.. Reed, the American Minis
ter-.The Way he Was Treated by Yeh--The
Probable B0mbarvlment Of Canton, &C.. &c.

Move ments OF Mr.. Reed, the American Minis
ter.The Way he Was Treated by Yeh--Thc
Probable B0mbaYv1ment OF Canton, &C., &c.
Hong Kong Letter, Dec. Is, TO this London Times
will be remembered that the last nail went out eav
ing Hong Kong deuuded Of all s diplomatic grarceos.
There solemn conference at Macao and it was
whispered that Count Putane was admitted To the coun
cils Of Lord Egn and Baron Gros rumor soon spread
that Mr. Reed had taken an independent line and had met
with rebuff he had, went the story, sent proposal
Yeh to treat with him inside the city, but Yeh replied
that he should be happy to sec him outside the city, but
could not think Of admitting any barbarian within the
walls Of Canton Mr. Reed then proceeded to Macao, but
rumor did not venture TO affirm what he proposed to
himself by this journey whether the rather
temptuous refusal he had just received had in
any way modified his opinion as TO entangling
affair. They profess to havo q copy Of the
answer, and laugh when they speak of it, have not
script and make much Of their description OF it,
should reach you by way Of America, think you will
find that the Imperial Commissioner has replied 70 hi:
Exceency Mr.. Reed by what is vugary called SELL
q sort of Chinese version Of [" Don't you wish you may
get 80 Certain that Mr. Reed very irate with his
celestial friends and has rather abandoned his idea Of
being master Of the position Yeh resolved to show
the world that he determined to carry out the policy
openly acknowledged in that notorious Chinese State
and to consider the terms Of the last treaty binding
only long he had not force enough to break them
BE to be confident also that the present proper
season for perseverance IN this policy He has doubtless
heard OF the might aud wonderful contrivences Of the
Minnesota Nothing that can be said in praise Of her
discipline and arrangements her exquisitey finished
chnery for economzing labor and time in the working Of
her guns her Sharpes rifles her officers cabins and her
has heard all about these We have just seized copies Of
correspondence which has been passing between Chi
nese writer resident this island and Howqua con-
tains minute chronicle Of every event, and descriptions
Of men and things including by means fatering
count of the personal appearance of Lord gn Possibly
ii also included Of the drsught OF Of the
Minnesota recsllect that circuit, when zea-
Gus and hot tempered junior replied with scarcely de-
drew down upon himself q rebuke, q sarcastic
old stager who sat by said, "Pitch into him
s Sn Ss III. he :.
up to him Moreover he has oiled his ~ with soldiers
from the North We have Just kindly scucd aad rcleas
The Chinese report that the walls brstlng with
cannon that the oil undermined and that Yeh
than sVe up We ,ha see shortly what truth there
10 these tales They by means lessen the eagerness OF
our fellows to get into the city but they may perhaps
few shells before they set British bulldogs al the
walls.
Meanwhile the valleys precpices or this mountain
island ring and echo with preparations The quiet citizen
upon tho prices Of gray shrtngs his sigh the de-
probation OF "kAlwa being interrupted by sharp vol
leg Of musketry or the ringing Of Mimic bullet or the
nervous On the parade ground 10 the east Of this
wsiess and citadel ess city Of Victoria 500 OF
the seth be daily at their exercise cloud OF
Chinese children take advantage Of the severity Of dsci
pine 10 hang upon their skirts stoopng down and picking
Up .ne ea'ge papers from oes"een 'ne Zee. me I'M
foot TO tread upon the fingers that tickle their
ankles We are TOO poor in men 10 be able TO any
10 keep the ground. Up In the ravine behind govern
men house detachment s firing at a target a range
Of 900 yards That target has It's attendant company OF
adult Fuk -hees They can scarcely be kept at q
safe distance and when the bugle sounds firing
they rush In and dig out the wasted lead Further Of
the OF the mountain with little fasstafs fixed on the
rocks at various ranges field battery practicng with
tho. and shell. Straight in the line Of fire the Chinese
washernen are spreading their clothes 70 dry upon the
brushwOod quite unconcerned at the discharges satisfied
10 conhde in the skill Of the arllerymen and having
full practical knowledge Of the fight Of shot At the
heads. It cannot be that who behave thus DO
race OF towards.
We mus, hope, in the Interest Of humanity, thai when
the allotted interval has expired Yeh will yield. he must
know that he has at bis gates the representatives Of the
four great nations Of the earth, and that however they
may differ upon the raods oerandt, they all equally
determined ~ tolerate no longer this foolish Chinese
eeant Mr. Reed does not, apprehend, propose 70 him
self 10 home without making treaty, any than
does Count Putan Baron lie eros or the Earl OF Egn
HoperT much zoe may deplore the undignif>d policy
iohich the American al hOne hdps chosen % doJa
and hoUerr much may feel sat,sod 10 find that they
talked Of TIC aicaraoe hsy proposed % hep-
sres u rOnoJoiising ne trade ehe fighting N,
battle aai interests identical, and er-n,,i-
ally mus uork together. The High Mandarhs Of China
cannot but know the power Of the nations arrayed against
them. But II they do not, n they ignorant OF what
every Chinaman Singapore knows full well and Of what
each small brakeman al Hong Kong could tell them what
practical satire this ignorance IL upon thai system Of
competitive examinations and the rule Of literary men,
which, Ia worked in China, has been so lits under
stood so senseiessly eIolled It is useless however
70 speculate upon what Ysh will do Tor tho next mail viii
bring you udnss OF what be has done and what have
done.
IL most provoking that the most important events
will happen within half an hour Of the departure OF the
mail This afternoon messenger from Yeh arrived at
Macao Fort with despatch for the Plenpotentuss You
know how, hoping against hope, have kept up soe in
tie stead but Of critical moment has turned up uumps
am informed then, that the Chinese merchants say that
Lord Esins demand was Of the most temperate chsrao
that be asked for than that the treaty should
be carried out tina, should be put upon the
footing the other treaty ports ia gates opened 70
commerce, compensation given for damage done 10
British merchants, and occupation Of Honan acqu
esced in material guarantee until all matters are
settled least ono o. ,b ns f b.Ss ham
at. Yeh, however, thinks otherwise TN dnrcer just
ooe np 20 Lord Eio,a IS couched " NY inrmaion I, cor
American II tells his lordshp that the question Of the
treatment strangers AZ Canton has been settled by the
decree Of the EnPeror thai s., seorse BG1 hn w
mends Lord Esn 70 follow his examples that, a. 70 com
pensaon Yeh has q demand upon the English govern
ment for loescs suffered by the Chinese
You must make some allowance for version OF Chi
nese document read 10 In Cano English but think
can pledge myself that this viii be found 70 be The sub
lord Egin Is no true son Of Robert the Bruce he
stands this style Of answer 80 we may soon expect some
Prom the China Mail, Dec 1911
The Earl Of Een has been 10 Macao since last dos
and America His Excelency Mr. Reed and Count Pu,Is
tine, yre now In Hong Kong. The Baron Gros has pro
eeeded up the river 7he Tinted STATES 1lnis NJ. Red
hos upset serdl q The Judicial dections q his predecsssors
he Reg Dr. Pdrker, and II TIE Amertodns had bat courts
here sre wotld y an irnmue amount Of work for oert
Of the long ro1e Among otbers the Official assign
ment In Wetmore %. e matter has been set aside
prom the London Globe, Jan q
Canton becomes once more centre Of interest and ex
pectation. In the midst OF great Indian conflict
have not forgotten China Lord Es deferred probably
by the reception given " the Russian minister rersned
from attempting 10 enter Pekin Ambassador The
first army accorded 10 him having been diverted India
he has found second composed Of regiment OF foot
me battaons Of marines and hos, Of blue jackets
He has the aid OF SIR Michael seymour another shape
sqradron Of tiny aunbosb which have navigsted with
success fbe broad and stormy seas have up the
Canton 70 bring Mr. Yeh 10 Lord Eigin s
supported by the French and the forces Of
nations will fight side by side Al Canton well al
The land force will be strengthened thrce
native infantry regiments from Calcutta OF which has
already sailed.
N appears that nv. Reed, tie A~rtoor kris1, tried Il