The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-25
The Great West Versus the Great East
Conquest and Revolution In China.

The Great West Versus the Great East
Conquest and Revolution I'm China.
The Emperor of China has bitter Cause
to rue his own and his satellites blunder-
ing and treachery, which compelled the
Allies to have recourse, time after time,
to arms, till finally the great imperial
city Of Pekin was captured, his own palace
sacked, and himself and his minions driven to
Tartary for refuge. We have here great
event. the ultimate results of which we can
hardly venture as yet fully to estimate. What if
the old dynasty is overthrown by the humilia
ion and loss thus inflicted? and what If the
Tae-Ping insurgents, who have been long strug
Cling for its overthrow, should supersede it!
Before inquiring into the merits Of either
dynasty, let us glance at the immediate causes
which led to the resumption of hostlities ter
minating in the capture referred to. The Allie.
were negotiating with the brother of the En-
reror, while encamped within short distance
of the capital, when the Chinese general drew
up an army of more than twenty thou
sand men, so as TO command the ground
which the Chinese plenipotentiaries had
selected for the occupation Of the foreign
forces. And this was not all; for the Allies
soon found themselves surrounded by hostile
cavalry, and in painful state Of uncertainty
az to when and by whom the inevitable battle
should be commenced AT this time sudden
commotion was produced in the Chinese lines,
and seven Of small party Of the British, which
baI rad with ha
seen riding bard through fire Of matchloc.s
towards their own camp. under the apprehension
Of being made pris oners. The others of the party
were captured including the London T'nnes
correspondent. 1t was now thought by the
Allies high time to clear the ground, and they
forthwith began the attack. The Allied forces
numbered in all only five thousand men. They
were in the centre of hostile country, march
ing on great capital far away from reinforce
mcnts and the Observation-Disclosures which male
the battle no less exciting than remarkable
We are told that there was simultaneous action
on all points. II was evident that the Chinese
with Characteristic perfdy and deceit, we're re-
solved upon defending the ground upon which
their plenipotcntiaries had agreed the Allies
were to encamp in peace. The result Of this en-
gagement was soon decided. The Chinese took
to fight, after loss OF more than six hundred
men killed and seventy-five guns captured
Two days afterwards, the French having mean
while received reinforcements, the Allies ad-
vanced to attack the Chinese position, and
after brisk Gre drove the enemy back, AMI
carried the bridge over the canal on the i'm
perial high road 10 Pekin. The loss on this
occasion 70 the British was three killed and
fortyseven wounded. and to the enemy .
much greater number, besides forty-three guns
The Chinese army had now retired upon the
city, and the British and French were clos,
under its wall These are the latest details
received prior to the despatch TO the English
Foreign Once stating that Pekin surrendered
TO the Allies on the 18th Of October, AL
the Emperors summer palace was sacked, AMI
large amount of spoils TAKEN and that the
Emperor himself had fed 10 Tarsary Two OF
The party OF seven captured were rcle ised
two others Of the number, il was ascertancd
had died OF brutal treatment, and the remain
der were missing, and supposed to have been
bchcaded.
Ii has been asked how do the Allies know
but that in capturing Pekin they have over
thrown the central au'hori,, OF the empire TIL
existence OF the Chinese government may have
been dependent uron the safety Of Pekin: and
If so, the Allies are in very perplexing posi-
ton. Now that the Emperor his icd his no~pr
Of exacting obedience may have expired, anl
the question therefore arises. who are the Allie,
10 negotiate WITH VIII tbe rae-f'ing insur.
gents usurp the imperial authority, aii whas
will be the cffec. Of such revolutionary oil
max throughout the empire, and with regard h
he Western Powers. The spurious Christianity
which ilcse insurrcciions,s profess has render
ID them obnoxious 10 The eyes ~ Europe and
history proclsmz tina, wherever corrupt ves-
-ion OF the Christian creed Las been adopted
by conquering people. Tie tendency has beer
% render their victory the more bloody,
their oppression heavier, and their 81 gcaacc
the more cruel and RELENTLESS. What would
only have been tyranny has often been con-
verted into monstrosi;y Nv the desire Of net
only subduing but proselytizing. Even The
atheism OF the presen, Chinese system 81
government. Is infinitely preferable 70 the zeai
otism Of fslse faith, according 70 every PIE
vious cxsmple afforded M. There IS one
thing. however. certain. that whether tie Pre-
cent dynasty Of China be destroyed or not b.
the event, The capture Of fesin VIII greatly
increase Tho prestige Of The Wcrsera Powers,
and particularly Of The British, over the entire
East. In Indie and Japsn. ,ts cSecs will DO