The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-11-10
WASHINGTON, CITY.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1865.


COMMISSIONER REED AND THE LONDON TIMES.
The London Times is almost always in quarrel with
something on somebody connected with the United
States. A little while ago it was iLnatmed at our
excessive rejoicings over the Atlantic telegraph the
whole glory Of which, beginning middle, and end,
il claimed for Great Britain. Now il is in trouble
about Mr.. Reed the American minister in China,
whom il charges with most horrible nattention, du
ring the late negotiations there, TO the best interests
of Christendom generally and Of Great Britain and
France particularly. So far as that small part of
Chrstendom known as the United States is concern
ed the lamentations of the Times wholly
sary. We can keep watch over our own affairs
without any assistance from the Thunderer, and
generally manage TO find out in our own way when
ever we have been badly used. But, in this case,
neither the United States "the rest of mankind"
have any just cause of complaint against Mr. Reed
On the contrary his efforts in China to us to
have been as discreet as they certainly have been
successful.
Mr.. Reeds position in China was one of great irk-
someness and difficulty This arose from several
circumstances. In the first place, while Great Brit
ain and France were at war with that empire we
sired revision of our treaty and some new conces-
sions 70 commerce, desired to obtain them with
out the of force and in such way to render
them most valuable hereafter. In tho second place,
we had nothing to do with any political oonsidera-
tions in our arrangements with China while to the
powers of Europe this view of the subject could not
well be overlooked. From these reasons it may
well be understood that some things which Lord
Elgn Baron Gros Count Putiatne, might
have regarded important, in consequence of
their bearing upon the balance of power in the
East, Mr.. Reed, looking at it only commercially,
may have thought Of very little consequence in
deed. From these reasons, also, it will be seen
how irksome was the position which Mr.. Reed
occupied peaceful nogotiator, associated
with two plenipotentiaries who made their de-
mands at the cannons mouth. To be in the midst of
fight without taking part in it is very awkward sit
nation, and is apt to bring its occupant kicks
than coppcrs Yet this was the position to con-
siderable extent, which Mr.. Reed had to maintain
the Peiho and out of which he has come SO well pre-
served that all the thunder of the Times cannot pos
sibly hurt him.
1t has been aippantly said by some of the let
ter writer's that he had no business there, and
that it was disgraceful to let other nations whip
tho Chinese into submission, and then steal in to
take advantage Of their work. But this is q great
mistake, for Mr.. Reed not only had business there,
but he was expected to be there, was invited there
and did much good by being there. 1t was known
when he left this country that he not going to
China fighting mission, because we had no cause
of war with that empire; but he was, nevertheless,
instructed to cooperate with the allies, far he
could by peaceful means, iii order to accomplish
the purposes in which the three nations had
n common interest. The allies desired the moral
weight of our peaceful presence and co-opera-
ton to these ends With their special causes of
quarrel had nothing to do, except to lament their
existence We only desired the restoration of peace
the revision of the treaties and the proper conces-
sions to commerce. This distinction the Chinese
were doubtless made to understand, and hence they
came probably to regard Mr.. Reed somewhat
favorably than his associates, and hence moreover,
he was in better condition than they were to rep
resent to them their danger and to advise them to
terminate the war. While the guns of the allies
unquestionaby of great service in starting their
sluggish ideas, MIR. Reeds efforts were not wholly
without effect in giving them just direction. He
had tho benefit of the arms of his associates but
they had the benefit in return, of his presence and
cooperation in respect to all the general purposes
Of his mission, and especially his efforts to induce
the Chinese to come to terms as soon as possible
His cooperation in this war seems have been both
cordial and acceptable, and have seen no intima-
ton, except in the London Times, that the min
listers had any important disagreement on the sub
ject of the negotiations. Mr. Reed had a perfect
right to treat with the Chinese at any time, and
leave the allies to fight them at their leisure but on
the contrary, he waited till the fight was over and
then participated in the treaties-the Russian first,
tho American second then the British and then the
French. ..''.
The Times is very dennnciatory of Mr.. Reed its
articles are brm-full of temper and bad bood but
it condescends to reduce to definite specifications
very few of its charges against commissioner
and these arc such as either trivial or absurd
One of them, for example, is that Mr.. Reed, in con-
junction with Count Putatine, sought "solemn au-
dience' with Baron eros, and represented to him
that it was the height of oppression to insist upon
any resident embassy at Pekin." Now if there be
great advantage in such embassy, it is hardly
probable that Mr.. Reed could have sought to imper
ats concession except upon very weighty grounds