The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-11-03
OUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
WAsHINeToN, Oct. 80, l86e.

WASHINGTON, Oct 81, 1907
To the Editor Of the National Era:
Our relations with the Empire of China are
in peculiar state of undesirable uncertainty,
Mr.. Ward, our Minister, being in a position of
extreme delicacy, if not of more or less peril.
The treaty negotiated by Mr. Reed gave the
right to our Minister to visit Pelzin only for the
dispatch of special business if, then, Mr.
Ward should have been conducted to Pekin in
stead of proceeding thither in his own way by
such route as he might choose, he will be in a
position little better than that of prisoner, be-
cause dependent not upon his own resources
the power of his Government-but upon the
courtesy or cunning of the Chinese authorities
In other words, Mr.. Ward must be considered
under duress unless he has free and easy nc;
at anchor, and unless our vessels of war are
able to approach and protect him.
If already in the city of Pekin, Mr.. Ward, by
the terms of the treaty negotiated by Mr.. Reed,
must retire thereform so soon as the chief OBJ
jeet of his mission-exchange of ratification
shall have been accomplished by him. Mr..
Ward, however, may possibly demand to re-
main in Pekin under the most favorable clause
in the treaty to be ratified, and which clearly
grants such right, because permanent residence
was ceded to the ENJOYS of France and Eng.
land. Herein will be found Mr.. Wards chief
present difficulty. If he claim permanent resi-
dence in Pekin for himself-agreeably to has
Observation-Disclosures permanent residence was
coded to the ENJOYS of England and France,
those ENJOYS having been repealed, Mr. Ward
in effect will be seeking to establish right for
the United States upon right granted to
France and to England. By such claim of Mr..
Ward, the United States, it is conceived, will
be made parties to the present war difficulty
between England and France and the Chinese
authorities. This will be more especially the
case, if the Emperor Of China never intended
that by the treaties signed that France and
England should enjoy the privilege which is
undoubtedly their right. Mr. Ward can avoid
making the United States party to the Chinese
difficulty with France and England only by his
not claiming permanent residence in Pekin,
but retiring therefrom Immediately after the rati.
hcation of the treaty which he bears with him
for ratification. 1t remains to be seen what
course Mr.. Ward will eventually adopt.
With respect to England and France. the
Chinese question is one of the highest import
anee to those Powers and the world 1t will be
clearly apparent to all wise intelligence that, to
have representative at Pekin, without perfect
freedom OF going to and coming thence by the
easiest water-courses of the Empire, would be
of no advantage whatever. The Envoys would
be kept in constant state of alarm, circum
spection, danger, and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. at
all times for safety on Chinese duplicity. This
was perceived by the Pekin authorities. These
authorities, therefore, conceived the idea of
neutralizing certain of the clauses of the treat.
les signed with France and England, by the
making easy access to Pekin an impossibility.
Hence the refortifying the mouth of the Peiho.
1t was done the better to control the personality
of the foreign Envoys-to make their residence
In Pekin, away from their nations protection,
NH Il
altogether at the mercy of the authorities at the
capital. The mouth of the Peiho was barri-
caded and fortified, and the mandarins in COM
mand were ordered to say it was done by the
local power, and not by the Imperial Govern
ment-thps cunningly exonerating the latter,
while at the same time a chance was afforded
TO recomnence the war, aud also of taking the
forces of France and England by a surprise.
which it was hoped would be a disaster eouiva.
lent to defeat. While on an errand of peace.
and therefore only partially prepared, it is not
matter OF wonder that the gallant British Ad-
miral should have had to recede from the att.
tude adopted. The treaties signed gave per-
feet rightIto the French, English, and also the
American ENJOYS, to proceed to Pekin in their
own way, and by such routes as thew MIGHT
think proper. To erect a bd,Tier IN their tcav
tcas 10 repd their approach to tie capital. This
alone was a breach of the treaties signed. II
was breach of the chief point for which, in the
treaties, the European Powers contended.
1t may be said, then, that the Chinese au-
thorities have swerved from the path of nation.
al honor. Their word of promise is not to be
depended upon. The treaties signed asserted
the right of nations to be represented perma-
nently at Pekin. The privileges of resident
Ministers BY the usage of nations is altogether
untrammeled: Resident Ministers therefore
must At fekin, have free and easy access to
the seaboard cities, freedom of personal move.
ment within the Empire, and at all times ready
communication with their respective Govern
ments. The object Of nations u, China is not
conquest, bat friendship Under existing cir
cumstances, therefore, to insure freedom and
safety Of envoy personality. ali obstruct;ons
must be removed from the rivers leading direct
to Pekn, and every fort at the mouth of the
Peiho and elsewhere demolished. If not de-
melishsd By the Chinese themselves, they must
be selfdefensively captured by the European