The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-30

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The Contest Between Europe and Asia
Growth OF tho American influence In
China.
The recent events at the mouth of the Peiho
have deep significance and are pregnant
with vast results. The contest between Euro
pean and Asiatc civilization has assumed a
new phase, and the nations Of Western Europe
will be called upon to exert all their powers
in a contest with five hundred millions of peo-
pie on the continent of Asia
Whoever has read the narratives of recent
travellers through Persia, China and Thibet.
has become aware of the watchful jealousy with
which the British power in India is everywhere
regarded by the Asiatic nations beyond its
sway. 1t is universally looked upon as an en-
croaching and dominant power and some Of
the most interesting portions of Mons. HUGS
narrative relate to the suspicious inquiries and
the official vigilance with which communi-
cation with British India was regarded in the
countries he visited. At the Court of Thibet
the Chinese Ambassador was the ruling
power, and the progress of the English
arms eastward from the Ganges the sub
ject of his constant observation. Closed
as is all communication between the Western
and Eastern worlds, we pay little heed to what
may pass, or what ideas may rule in the Asiatic
courts. Yet every traveller of modern times,
from Marco Polo down, and the scanty rem
nants of ancient history, all tell us of the ex-
istence of national embassies, experts in the
arts of diplomacy, with their intrigues, their
intermarriages between royal families, and all
the tricks of kingcraft.
If from these scanty facts in regard to the in
terror of the Asiatic courts we pass to con-
temptation Of the events of late years on the
shores of Asia, we are led to the irresistible
conclusion that behind the discrimination and
treachery that have marked the official inter-
course of the Asiatics with Europeans, there is
something far deeper than mere wish to de-
ceive. The opium war of 1912 between Eng
land and China, the Burmah war; the afghan
treachery, the conquest of the Sikhs, the late
war with China, the Allied proceedings in
Cochin China, and the gigantic rebellion
against British rule in India, must all have
between the semi-civilized courts of Asia,
and must have created an opinion and a
policy towards England the fruits of which are
seen in the universal resistance with which her
approaches are met. The Asiatic portion of
Lord Gives history is perhaps better known in
Asia than in Europe, and the secret springs of
the great Indian rebellion better understood in
China than in England.
While this feeling of jealousy, fear and ha-
tired Of English power was growing up in Asia,
the American name was blended with that of
England in the Asiatic mind, from the identity
| of language, dress and customs between us.
| But of late years events have tended to change
| this, and to enable the Asiatic everywhere to
| distinguish between the two nations. 1t is not
| alone our proceedings in Japan, and the con-
duct of the American Minister, Mr.. Reed. du-
| ring the late war between the Allies and China,
that has led to this. The gold discoveries in
| California and Australia have drawn thousands
| Of adventurous Chinese to those shores, large
| numbers Of whom have returned to China.
Their narratives must have proved fresh and
interesting subject of study to a nation where
| literary merit is the guide to rank and the
| Mandarin's button is the reward of scholastic
| merit In these narratives American poll
tics, as developed in California, and
English, as found in Australia, stand
in marked contrast In the latter the nara
tives doubtless have shown the Chinaman on
pressed, driven from his diggings, taxed by the
government, and denied any political status
In California, the Chinese hongs contending
with the Governor on the question of taxation
and beating him in argument, their protection
in their work, their admission to civil rights,
and their strength in the social organization,
are probably as well understood at Pekin as at
Washington. Then the British participation in
the coolie trade and the fact that this infamous
traffic is not extended to the United States is as
well known in China as in Europe. The nara
tive of every returned Chinaman is taken down
by Mandarin ambitious Of literary promotion,
and may be found in the archives at Pekin.
Thus, much of the Difference paid to the Ameri-
can representative in China, which has been
supposed to flow from Russian teachings, may
be traced to other and logical causes
These have produced the state Of things in
our relations with China which have been ip-
norantly put in peril by Mr.. Ward, the Minister,
and Captain Tatnall, the commander CT our
naval forces, by taking part with the British
and French in the attack on tho
forts at the mouth of the Peiho. The
full and interesting letters which we
have published from the scene of the event, and
which give more clear and Ineligible account
than any others received from there, show con-
clusively the different department which the
Chinese exhibited towards our Minister and
towards those Of France and England, The