The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-11-19
The War China /.

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The War In China.
The military success Of the allies in China
was confidently anticipated from the formi-
dable character Of the French and English
ornaments, comprising between sixty and
seventy ships-of.war-or, including trans
ports, nearly three hundred sail. The allied
army was twelve thousand strong, ana
achieved success in their attack upon the first
OF the series Of forts which protect the mouth
of the river Pei-Ho, with the loss OF eight
hundred men. The gallant French have thus
eHec tualiy aided the English TO repair Their
ienominious defeat by Chinese, and have pos
sibly paved the way for opening negotiations
of peace with the Chinese government. The
opinion of the Pafris, one Of the semi iii cial
organs OF the French government, favors TINS
conclusion. II seems that the Chinese, so far
as military honor Is concerned, might be WILL
ing now to balance accounts. They nave
given the English one severe drubbing, and
have received one in return from lne aiileo
powers. which makes them even. The pre-
seat war has been already enormously expen-
sive TO England. II Is said that the total
amount of appropriations from the imperial
treas ury on account of operations in China,
is not far from fifty millions of dollars. There
was no necessity for the war, unless 1t be ad-
mit,ed that the Chinese had so damaged the
prestige of the English flag as to require this
yiudieation of her wounded honor. And, even
us it s, the Chinese will say that she could
not yindicate her honor without French as
sis,ance The Chinese are not too good or too
smiable 10 invent just such a calumny. They
are an ungrateiui as we'll as spiteful race,
for England has long endeavored TO make
them happy and agreeable by forcing the use
of opium upon them at the point OF the bayo-
nat and although she has succeeded in devC-
1ipr four millions of them annually to the
Internal gods by the use OF this pernicous
drug. and consequently relieved 10 that extent
An oyer.crowded population, the Chinese gov
arpment and people have never appreciated
|, her kindness. There was great jealousy even
IN the Crimea between the English and French
armies and there has also been the same SEN
tiuent in China. The London Herald appears
10 be well aware Of this, and observes: at
will be the old story our allies will have
quite their share of the glory, If not all their
share of the hard knocks and the movements
of our own troops, of our splendid cavalry,
and Of our fast little gunboats will be COM
pleteIy subordiuated TO the amour prorrs of
our gallant allies"
The truth is that never was q couple more
unequally yoked than France and England
They have never yet met an enemy whom
they hatei half as bitterly as they hate one
another. They pull along like two unfriendly
and ill-tempered oxen under yoke which
circumstanc have imposed upon their necks.
hut their delight would be frantic if they
could break ii into thousand pieces, and gore
each other to their hearts content. The Joint
operations in the East, are quite likely, as the
London Herald predicts, to enure 10 the bene-
ut of the intrepid Frenchmen. However great
England may be upon the water and however
yalorous her soldiers upon the land, she can
not approach the military genius of France.
And. moreover, the French will not only make
a deeper hole in the ranks of the enemy, but
more favorable impression upon their hearts.
The easy, accessible, agreeable manners of the
French in peace are as superior to the churiish
and stiff-necked department of the islanders,
as the splendid science OF their generals in
war to the brainless, routine tactics Of the
English camp. A Virginia gentleman, who
has long resided in China, informs us that it
is not uncommon in China ports TO see
Englishman III the streets strike a Chinaman
with his riding whip, upon the slightest IN
Intentional annoyance. That is the style of
that excellent but overbearing race through.
ont the East, and it does Not make friends
II is quite possible to force weak and timid
race 10 cover for the time beneath bullying
and ferocious demonstrations, but their SUBJ
mission is quite compatible with the most pro.
found hatred and yibdictiveness. The Lon
dom Herald is right in its jealousy of The
French, and it Will have more reason to be
lealous Of their influence over the Eastern
people in peace than in war.