Smyrna times., 1859-10-06
The New Chinese War.

As the bloody engagement on the Peiho is
probably the beginning of another war in the
East, it is well to collect all the facts relating
to it now, while they are fresh, and not so much
complicated by interested motives as they may
be hereafter.
correspondent of the New York Euening
Post writes from Shanghai, July 10, giving an
account of some of the preliminary movements
Ofthe Western pIenipotentiaries now in China.
He says:
sImperial (Chinese) commissioners came on
here, and in interviews had with MIR. Ward
and the French Minister, gave assurances that
the different legations would meet with a cor
dial reception from the Emperor. II is said
Mr. Bruce refused to confer with these CON-
mIssioners, and even treated them with hGuteur.
These men assured Mr.. Bruce that, although
the Minister would be cordially received and
respectfully treated, yet the government would
not permit an armament of war vessels and an
armed force to penetrate into the heart of the
empire"
The narrative thence proceeds in accordance
substantially with most of the statements al
ready published. When the English arrived at
the mouth of Peiho river, they were informed
BY officers in charge of the forts that they had
received orders from the Emperor not to allow
any foreign armed vessels to go up the river.
and directions to fire upon any such vessels as
should attempt it or try to remove the barriers.
The request that they should seek the northern
mouth of the river was regarded as a miserable
evasion, and a reply was sent that they would
20 to Pekin BY that channel and no other, and
that if the Chinese did not remove the barriers
bya specified time they would remove them
themselves. The Chinese responded that il
they attempted such thing they should Ger.
hinly ERE upon them.
This was before Mr.. Ward (the American
minisier) arrived but when he was informed
Of il, he concurred in the English view, and
decided to await the result. Then came the
battle. Several days afterwards it occurred to
Mr. Ward to verify the Chinese statement
about the other branch of the river, when he
ssnt ou, small expedition and found every
thing as it had been represented. AS to the
rver ten or twelve miles to the north. il haC
not been heard of by any one board the men-of
war anchored here, French. English and Ame
rlcan, and it's existence was doubted, IT beinl
thought that the Chinese were only playing
rase 10 deceive. psrplex and get rid OF disa
ereeable visitors" Nothing new is stated re
spec,ing the interview of the American officer
with the soldiers of the forts on the day befor
the battle. grsphic description of the batil
follows. The writer doubts the truth of tn
stories about Russians being in command Of th
iorts He thinks it more probable that famou
hantchu general, whose abilities have lon
made him the terror of the Emperor, was ih
man by whose military science these forts ha
been erected, and their guns worked with a.
nirable precision as well as fatal effect Cor
Tatnall, who had enjoyed the best opportuni
ios observation, often remarked that he b
aever s>ea more perfect gunnery. Il is a 81
gslas fact that. in all the storm Of balls viii
sl upon the vessels, not one mast or spar ess