New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-08-06
CHINA
c..,.,.oua,uoe Of Tb. N. Y. TtIbure

III the state OF dUdlrs IN Culn3 NaS uhsdtleidC-
tory month ago, it is perfectly confusing now.
A powerful force is here with every appliance of
warfare, and yet no one knows or even anticipates
the future.
1t was confidently expected that his EXcellency
Lord Egin would arrive by last mail, and great &C.
tivity prevailed in the feet, in order that every
thing should be in readiness for departure north
ward. But no Lord Elgin was forthcoming, and
we are as much in the dark as ever concerning the
events which will follow bis arrival The move
ment has commenced however, and before
week most Of the transports will be on their way
to the north. There is evidently hitch some
where, and it would occasion little surprise If
the whole expedition should fall through, so far as
immediate results are concerned.
We have at last reliable accounts from the seat
of the coming strife, and it would seem as though
The Chinese were in earnest The forts at the mouth
NJ the Pei-ho have been immensely strength
sned and most formidable force is collected at
that point There is no talk of accommodation. On
the contrary, the party now In power, headed by
fbe Tartar General who commanded at the defeat
of the British squadron last year, so far from yield
ing ANYTHING now boldly ayOws the determination
10 sweep all foreigners from the Empire, without
regard to nationality, and to restore the ancient
order of things Of course, this is impossible yet
the fact shows plainly that although force has ex
tracted some concessions from the Chinese, the
feeling Of the people is unchanged. Some OF the
demands of the British Government are such as to
reyolutOnize the whole country, and it can hardly
be wondered at that they meet with stubborn re-
sistance. The residence of Minister at Pekin,
Though great innovation, might be granted with
out much detrment; but the provisions of the treaty,
which provide for free navigation of the Iang-ts
kiang in its whole extent is more serious matter.
IT is as though some foreign power should de-
mand free navigation of our own Mississippi.
thousand interests are involved, both as regards
the cities upon the river and the immense carrying
trade upon it, But the most Objectionable feature
OF the British demands, is that which abOl-
shes the collection of customs upon goods In
transit through the country And In fact, 1t 10 diff
6cult to tell what right foreign country has to in
terfere with the internal affairs of another. To
claim exemption from inordinate duties upon British
goods at the port of entry would not be an unusual
proceeding; but it seems rather a stretch OF au-
thority to follow the goods all through the empire,
and demand the abolition OF internal transit duties,
which from time mmemOral have been levied, and
upon which the whole course of Government more
or less depends If the point is yielded by the EN-
peror, O revolution is certain. LII contested 1t
seems hardly probable that he can Withstand the
powerful force now on the way against him. HUI
manly speaking there comes disaster aud utter ruin
upon China in any event, and no one acquainted
with the country fail to anticipate fearful scenes
of anarchy and bloOdshed when even the present
imperfect Government is Overthrown. Even now
the southern and western provinces are In uprOar
In every direction armed bands Of robbers col
lectmg some claiming to belong to the Iae-plng-
wang rebellion and some fighting only for plumber
Every day brings news of villages plmdered and
burnt, even in the neighborhood of Canton, and
crowds of starving Chinese come pouring In, having
lost all but their lives.
This will be fearful Summer. The reports
from the rice districts yet unfavorable, and
the high price of imported rice places it beyond the
reach of the poorer classes. If famine Is to be
added to war and bloodshed truly the Chinese will
have cause TO remember what some piOusly call
the I" throwing open of China to the Gospel" this
year.
Meanwhile, excepting at Foo-chow and Annoy,
trade is dead. And even at those ports, there is
little confidence. AS general thing, the 1mOst in
1elgent Chinese here predict easy victory on the
side of the allies whenever they come in contact
with the Chinese, but they do not predict any de-
sirable fruits Of victory The forts may Dc storned
at the Pei-hO. The allies may capture lien.
tsn. They may even advance upon PekinI and
overthrow the present Government; but In 30
doing they will only be aiding the legitimate re.
beIhOn, which has the same object in view, and
overthrow the imperfect barriers which the existing
Government maintains against robbers And unless
England ia prepared to introduce in China rule
similar to that now maintained in India, victory
at Pekn will prove the greatest curse and most
hopeless confusion that has yet been known.
But what are the French about it may be asked
And that is a difficult question to answer. We
know that there are II, 900 men and powerful
feet here, yet no one would imagine IT to be 80.
The British camps spread out on both sides OF the
island, but not French tent is to be seen. There
il no enthusasm-no cordially. The few French
officers and men who come on shore go wandering
through the streets pairs or squads, like fowls IN
a strange barn-yard. There seems no hustle among
them. and, in fact nobody seems to know anything
about them This lack of cordality, and very plain
expression of suspicion and dislike, are not promising
SYMPTOMS at the commencement OF harasslng
warfare, and am much mistaken If the British
force alone would not accomplish more II I'M
trameled by the alliance. Every one feels that
there is something wrong somewhere and that
France has something more In view than the
mere enforcement of a treaty, which, so lar as
commercial interests are concerned, or any others,
for that matter, can neither benefit nor damage
them. The prevailing opinion is that the French
contingent is here to watch and hinder, not to help;
TO prevent encroachments upon Chinese territory by
the British Government simply by demanding the
privilege of annexing" as often and az literally as
her ally does. If this be true, there viii be very
little annexng on either side.
The result Of French operations in Cochin China
would hardly encourage that Government in further
colonzirg efforts in this part of the world, except
that naval depot and hsrbOr may be wanted in
case trouble with England should occur. In this
respect the occupation of Saigon in Cochin China is
advantageous but in no other; even there, however,
possession does not extend beyond the range OF the
guns while the hostility of the natives Is on the IN
crease France can conquer, but cannot c0ionlze.