The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-21
The Empire Of Commerce In the Pacific
Futile Efforts 90 Restrain American de-
yelopeme0t.


velopement.
II is very evident from the bitter outpour-
ings of the London Times coming as they do
from official and diplomatic sources, against the
course Of the American Commissioner in China.
that England does not like the aspect Of our
growing influence among the Eastern nations
There il good reason for this. Hitherto the
communities of Eastern Asia have been ac-
customed to look at affairs among the Western
nations through English spectacles Their in
formation in regard to events passing in the
civilized world has come to them through Eng
lish journals carried by British mails and circu-
lated in the East by English merchants. II has
consequently always borne the stamp and color
Of English prejudices, in much the same way as
our views Of Continental affairs were. until few
years since, distorted by the same influences. In
this way an American has been for long time
looked upon by the Chinese a. a second chop
Engshman Recent events have changed this
state Of affairs very much, and coming ones
are TO change it stll more. Americans are
now looked upon more favorably in China
aud Japan than any other people, and the
time is rapidly approaching when European
Affairs will be looked upon in China through an
American medium. The latest intelligence from
san Francisco and the ports OF our Pacific en-
pirc, down to Panama.
The importance If the rising trade in that
ocean has been clearly perceived, and the Lon
don Time accuses the Americans Of rushing of
TO Japan. a. soon IS The negotiations Of Tien-tsin
were concluded in order to get the first benefits
Of the impression made upon tina, empire by the
opening Of China. No, only Is this not true. but
the very reverse happens 10 he the case. Lord
Elgin was in such haste to run to Japan that he
went OIL without an interpreter. or any means Of
communicating with that government. When he
got there he found that Mr.. Harris had Just con-
cud,d a treaty which he had been negotiating
for several months. and he was very glad to
avail himself Of the assistance of our Interpreter
This Was readily accorded to the British Commits
sioacr, and handsomely acknowledged by him
In this way De made a strike in favor of
British trade with that empire, and obtained all
the advantages which had been so assiduously
nourished by the American representative.
But Lord Elein could not but see that the
Americans stood first in the estimation Of the
japanese. as they have come to stand in that OF
the Chinese. This is not palatable TO British di-
plomaoy or 10 British journalism. They per
ccive tina, England hold upon the commerce OF
The five hundred millions Of men inhabiting those
empires IL but slim one. She herself l. far
removed from them. Her course in India has
taught them TO fear her, aud the trade In Indian
opium, which drug she persists in tbr,lsting down
their threats at the point Of the bayonet has led
them 10 hate her. Her colonies in Australia.
held by a feeble tenure, may be Of come advan-
tage in the commerce of the South Pacific but
can exercise no influence on that Of the North.
Thus her foothold in the trade with China is
likely TO become every day more insecure, and
her influence there TO wane before that Of the
United States.
As for her dear ally. France, she has less hold
than England upon the growing empire Of trade
in Asia. She has possession still Of little spot
on The peninsula &c HiDdostan but Poudieherry