New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-07-07
THE ILTBNATUM In CHINA.

Whether that Scripture be true, even unto this
day, that 4" all men are liars" it is undoubtedly
verify that at least one half the world is given to
falsehOod. The question which is about to involve
China, with its 400, 900, 900 of people, in a
war with the two greatest Powers of Europe,
is chiefly one of veracity between the Great
Council of the Pekin Government and the Minis.
tiers of England and France Diplomacy is
always, perhaps, more or less, lying reduced to
foe art. We fear that in this, az in other arts,
the younger civilization of the West has far out
stripped the older but less cultivated East.
The refusal of the ultimatum presented by the
English and French to the Government of China,
the news Of which recently reached us, was, not
withstandiDg the inevitable consequence, the only
thing the Chinese could do, if their statement Of
the case has the least foundation in TRUTH or their
past conduct has any shadow classification. This
ultimatum, as presented by the English Minister,
Mr.. Bruoe-and the French is identical with it
consists OF three articles all hngirg on the defeat
Of the allied forces last Summer, at the mouth Of
the PeihO. An ample and satisfactory apology is
demanded for the act Of the troops who fired on
the English, as vel as the restoration Of all the
guns, material, and ships abandoned on that coca
sion. The satisfaction of the treaty of Tien.tsin is
also demanded and the Chinese are called upon to
provide conveyance for the Minister and suite,
with due homer" to Pekin, for that purpose, up
the river BY the Ta-ku forts, where the forces
were so eflectualiy stopped a year ago when they
attempted to force a passage; and the Chinese are
Informed that although full effect is to be given, 30
far as they are concerned to the provisions Of the
treaties heretofore made, including the prompt
pa, ment Of 1900, 900 taes for losses aud military
expenses entailed Oh the British Government yet
the agreement the other side, as to the residence
of Brtish Minister at PekiD, it is announced is
at an end. Thus the utmost and most humiating
ack 1owledgment of submis iol and wrong-doing
was to be e1torted from the Chinese, both for the
future advantage Of the Allied Powers and to heal
the smar, of their dsgraceful disaster before the
forts of Ta-ku.
But the Chinese are not disposed to accept such
humiliation. On the contrary the tune in which
tho Great Council reply to the ultimatum of Mr.
Bruce is spirited in the extreme, with spice Of
that ludicrous assumption which so often cbarac-
ttrlses the statc PaPcfo vi uo iV"ciy '>ip6uo"'
The ground of the demand of the Allied Powers is
that an unexpected, upproyoked, and treacherous
attack was made upon them, when the Embassa-
doris were on tser way to Pekin to exchange rati'
fications with the Imperial Government Mr..
Ward emphaticany denies that he had
ever received any intimation that he was
not to 20 to the capital BY that ap-
approach, while at the same time, he declares that
any intmation to that effect would "haye been re-
garded as fit matter for remonstrance and nego-
"taton." This acknowledgment has in itself,
strong look of justification of the Chinese state
ment; while il is characteristic instance OF the
peculiarly John Bullish manner in which the En-
gsh have always dealt with the Orentals. How
ever the Council declare that the Imperial Com
missioners waited upon Mr.. Bruce OF shanghae to