New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-06-28
THE NEW WAR IN CHINA.
From Our Own Correspondent


HONG Kong, April %, 1860
When the last mail left it was currently reported
that the ultamatum sent in to the Emperor of China
had been refused.
1t seemed hardly possible that such should be the
case for nothing was demanded which had not
been granted by the Treaty made last year at
Ten-tsin. For once, however, report has proved
correct. The ultimatum was refused, and insult
ipply refused; why OF wherefore, nobody knows.
Probably the concurrence in Treaty was merely
ruse on the part of the Chinese to get the British
force out of the Peho and gain time to forty that
approach more strongly.
Nothing seems left now but determined attack,
which shall reverberate through the whole prov
ince and be felt at Pekin itself.
Already nearly the whole allied force has con-
gregated, and preparations are rapidly going on for
a speedy departure hence to the seat of war. This
harbOr swarms with vessels of war and huge trans
ports Troops are still pouring in and 1t Is evident
that larger force than has been anticipated is de-
tailed for the coming strife. Probably ~, OOO Euro
pean troops alone are here, or nearly here, beside
the native troops from India, who will muster 900
strong among whom two squadrons OF t1e
famous Sikh Cavalry. Two batteries of Armstrong
harbor, each of six pieces and fearfnlly destruc-
tive little things they are. The programme is well
understood up to certain point beyond that all is
uncertain. The transports, with troops stores, &C.,
are to rendezvous in fine bay on the east side OF
the Gulf of Pe-ehee-lec, about 200 miles from the
mouth Of the PeihO The gunboats, conveying
sufficient landing force, will storm and destroy the
formidable forts which worked such destruction
upon the feet last year, and then proceed to
the distractions in the river. This being done,
the whole force is to advance upon Tien-tsin, and
hold that city. II is supposed that when the
Emperor finds all his preparations useless,
and is aware that the outside barbarians are
at Ten-tsn again, he will change his tone,
and desire to negotiate. If he should still hold out,
the affair will assume grave aspect indeed. it
seems hardly possible that an advance upon Pekin
can be made this year, if it can be made at all by
the present force 1t is well known that immense
preparations are completed, so that not only the
whole length Of the approach to Tien-Tsn, but also
the whole way thence to Pekin, is fortified In
most formidable manner. 1t is equally certain that
the whole force Of the Empire is concentrated in
that locality, and it seems q dubious matter for
go 600 troops to advance in strange country against
more than 300 900 of the best soldiers of China. Of
course there are many reports to the nature OF
the country through which the attacking force must
pass but none are az yet reliable. 1t is said that
without much labor, by cutting through the banks
of the canals, it is in the power OF the Chinese to
flood the whole country. This would be of little
consequence if be done simply to Obstruct the ad
vance of the Allies, but most serious thing if by
such means the advancing troops be cut off from
supplies or impeded in retreat. The prevailing
opinion here is, that we are entering upon a long,
desultOry impracticabe war, the end of which it is
impossible to foresee. When it comes 10 actual
fighting the Chinese will be beaten in every encOun-
ter-it win not be battle, but slaughter Yet all the
1;co;, and ff,ciap in fha
come swamps and mud, and when men are up to
their necks In the latter, rifleman is no better
than coOe.
Nevertheless, if eagerness and determination are
any promise Of success, we have those qualities
wonderfully developed in every arm of the service.
The only fear expressed by those who are to carry
on the attack is that, by the coming out of Lord
Egin and Baron Gros (the former Plenipoten-
tiaries), some temporizing will be attempted the
only effect of which will be to make matters worse.
Things have gone too far for tempOrizng. Either
a sounding blow must be struck, OF all the late
demands must be withdrawn, and this fact
is as true of our own relations with China
az it is of those of England and France.
The United States receive favorable cOnsidera-
ton TO a certain extent now, simply because we
have never made any demonstration of force, and
because it is understood that we can in no way
threaten the existing institutions of China This is
shown plainly by the Imperial edicts from Pekin
explanatory of the causes which led to the reception
of the United States Minister at the capital.
The privilege was accorded because (as it is pub
lished) of the very respectful manner in which it
was sought and so completely was its effect neu-
traliZed by the manner and termination of the re-
ceptiOn, that it might about as well have never
been granted We have a treaty, it is true. So
had France and England. Ours has been ratified;
the others have not. And yet, singular as it may
seem, American interests are in no single respect
on more favorable footing than British In every
open port, British officials are agents for the Chinese
Government tse!, to collect its revenues; and to-
day, in every port of China where influence is desir
able, British interests without treaty stand more
favOrably than American interests with treaty.
Hence it is not rash 10 affirm that backing down
on the part Of the English and French Governments
will affect our own relations with China quite as
much as theirs.
Never before has so formidable a French feet
appeared in these waters and its presence is looked
upon with uneasiness. Our streets are full of
Zouaves-quiet enough, it is true, but somewhat
yiciOus-looking after all. Its a new thing to see
strange uniforms in such abundance, and somehow
does not seem exactly the thing There is lack
of sOrdiality, lack of anything like enthusiasm.
The lack Of enthusiasm is remarkable, and though
the French will doubtless prove most efficient as
sistants in the fight, still / know there are very
few English officers who would not gladly dispense
with that assistance, even though they should
have TO fight single handed, and with double odds
against them.
Advices from Saigon, the new French colony in
Cochin China, are very uniavorable The hostility
of the Anamese is 80 strong that no progress
has been made toward permanent establishment
of trade. The rice trade, which for little time
IInpetus To slHDpnp il already defuncf and