The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-29
FROM CHINA.
CANTON. CnIxA, Julz 20, 1876

CANTON, CHINA, Juty 20, 1889.
To The Editor Of the National Era:
The war in China has broken out afresh.
We were startled last night by the announce
ment that the English and French were re.
pulsed with great loss in attempting to enter
the mouth of the Peiho rive-. The Ministers
of the two nations had made every preparation
to go to Pekin to exchange the ratification of
the treaties made last year. They took such a
force as was supposed wou,dsrender access to
the Imperial capital and to the Emperor him
self an easy matter. But their expectations
have been sadly disappointed. The forts that
were destroyed last year had been entirely re-
built and strongly armed. DISTINCTIONS had
been placed in the river, to stop the advance of
vessels. AS the allied forces approached on
the 18th of June, they saw no demonstration
No flags were flying from the forts, and but
few men to be seen. The gans were masked.
But at the proper time terrible fire was open
ed on the steamers, the precision and energy of
which was shown by the results. The battle
commenced about half past two o'clock, P. NJ,
and lasted till near midnight. An attempt was
made to land and enter the forts, but the mud
and bitches that had to be waded through dis
abled the men, and they were moved down by
the fire of cannon, gingalls, and arrows, from
the forts. The number of English and French
engaged in the action were eabout. 1900, and
the loss of killed and wounded amounted to
AGA, officers and men, or more than one-third
of the whole number. Three steamers were
also destroyed, and others solnuch injured as
to be almost useless.
This affair shows very clearly what the EN-
peror Ham Fung and his Ministers think of the
treaties extorted from them at the point of the
bayonet, and it shows that nc faith is to be put
in treaties with heather people, except so far
as there is power to enforce item.
What is in the future as Swallowed forth by
this AFFAIR." The Chinese viii resist to the last
extremity the admittance of foreign embassies
to the capital The English and French will,
at any cost, carry out their purpose of entering
Pekin. The English Minister has returned
to Shanghai, and there is no doubt that this
mail will carry to India demand for 10000
Sepoys, or whatever number may be necessary
to cut the way from the Peiho to Pekin, and to
take and hold the capital itself.
The power of the reigning dynasty will thus
be shaken, and may be sntirtJy subverted, and
the rebellion may receive a new impulse, which
will result in the establishment of new dynasty
at Nankin, the ancient capital.
In Canton, which was the seat of the war for
nearly two years, there is fear that disturbances
may again break out. The city is still held by
the allied forces, but for nine or ten months all
has been quiet, and many of the Chinese who
were driven away have return ed to their houses
and shops, and resumed bust jess. The people
remember the sufferings and losses so recently
experienced, and they viii b very 10th to en-
counter the same again 90 soon.
For these and other reasons, think there Is
little danger of q renewal of hostilities in the
south of China,
The American Minister, Mr.. Ward, accom-
panied the English to the Peiho, but his pro-
gress is now stopped, and be cannot exchange
the ratification of the American treaty. Our
Government has pursued the right course in
keeping out of this war hitherto, and hope
that nothing will hereafter induce our rulers to
take any part in the contest which is about to
begin with renewed vigor on both sides. <.