The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-11-16

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Triumph or American Diplomaoy i'm
Chine = aunts OF the London Press.
BY our files of papers brought by the Hun.
garian we have received highly interesting de-
tails OF the reception Of our Minister by the
Chinese Commissioners, and Of the ratification
of the treaty, which British journals had told
US would not be ratified at all. Even now the
London Times informs its readers that the re-
ception of Mr. Ward at Pekin was humiliating,
and the manner In which tho treaty was ratified
was most ortemptuous.
The wish h evidently father to the thought;
d u umiliation OF the British naval force
at Taku, when, In defiance Of the law Of ma
TONS, it attempted to foroc its way through
forbidden inland waters, naturally inspires a
desire to SEQ American authority subjected to
humiliation Of some kind, though it might not
1e to lie anne extent as that experienced by
the English on the Peiho. Common misfortune
,rod' oes mutual sympathy, and John Bull is
very l. uch in need Of that commodity just now.
Unfo 'unately, however, his American cousins
are not in that condition in which fellow
feeling makes people wondrous kind. 1t
50 happen hat not only was our Minister sub
cted to no humiliation, but his reception was
Of the most cordial and gratifying character.
and the treaty was ratified in manner and
under circumstances we'll calculated to flatter
our national pride. The proof Of the fact is
found in tho statements Of the British journals
published in China, which we have transferred
to cur columns to- day, and which are deserving
of attentive perusal. These journals strongly
condemn the conduct Of the British Admiral,
and defend the course of the Chinese govern
ment as reasonable and just. In fact, the argu-
ment of tie Chinese premier, as given by
the North China Mail, is most conclusive
against the insolence and folly Of the com
mandcr of the English squadron, and shows
that in point of civilization, intellect and good
manners, the Chinaman has rather the advau-
tage over the representative Of her Britannia
Majesty.
The peculiar ceremonies Of reception
prescribed by the Chinese Emperor may
appear very ridiculous in the eyes of
Europeans; but the ceremony Of kissing
the Pope's toe and that of kneeling to
the Queen of England when receiving the
honor of knighthood, and all the formslities of
court dress and court reception at the Palace Of
St. James, are equally ridiculous; and what
ever Americans may think about the matter,
the English, who bow and kneel TO their own
monarchs, have no right to call the Chinese
ceremony humiliating. Their own ministers.
too, have submitted to It. Lord Mccartney, In
1898, though he went through the full ceremo-
ny of three meetings and nine knocks, was
kicked out of Pekin, and Mr.. Amherst, In 1916,
agreed to the same humiliation. Now we have
British testimony to show that Mr.. Ward, the
American Minister, would not submit to ii in
any shape or FORM The commissioners told
him that from hostile or inferior nation
the regular form of Obeisance-nine knocks
and three kneelings-was invariably exacted;
but as the Emperor regarded the United
States as an equal and a friendly Power,
he would only require from its representa-
tive, on presentation, one kneeling and three
knocks. When Mr.. Ward refused to comply
even with this modified forn, il was
then suggested to him that if he would
bend one knee or touch his fingers
to the ground, that would be satisfac-
tory in his case. Though this was the most
liberal concession ever made by the Chinese to
the representative Of any nation, it was also
rejected by our Minister, and consequently he
could not have the honor of presentation to the
Emperor. That, however, as he remarked, was
an honor he did not seek, and he only came to
have the treaty ratified and exchanged, which
was accordingly done with all due respect and
ceremony.
What, we ask, is there humiliating to Anne
ricans in all this? Is not the whole affair highly
satisfactory and gratifying? Without humilia-
tion or degradation of any kind, and without
the employment Of force, or even threats, Ame-
rican diplomacy has triumphed where the
British have failed, not only in diplomacy but
in bullying and fighting, 1t Is now the cue OF
the London press to disparage the treaty and
the manner of its ratification and exchange.
But the motive is too obvious not to suggest
the fable in which the fox, when he failed to
reach the delicious clusters Of the fruit of the
vine, exclaimed, in the bitterness Of his
chagrin, "Sour grapes!" Great allowance must
be made for the severe trial to which the
temper ofEnglishj journals is at present exposed
Not only is there loss Of British prestige in
Asia from the widespread revolt of British
subjects in India, as well as from defcat
of the wooden walls by the fortresses o.
the Chinese, but a blow is about to be
struck by the Morocco war at British prcpon
derance in the Mediterranean, which may
| 1iva the Gpishin0 stroke ~ the humiliation Al