New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-06-19
EASTERN ASIA.

which modern civilization is impartlng 70 inc
nations of Europe and Northern America, has
never been more forcibly demonstrated than by
the recent history Of India, China, and Japan.
The whole of these vast regions, whose popu-
lation il nearly one.half of that of the entire
world. is in state Of rapid and radical trans
ition, which, when completed will claim a
place among tho grandest events in tho history
of mankind.
As Americans, we have special interest In
the fate of these countries. All of our Leading
churches support in Eastern Asia missionaries,
propagating their faith and aiding in tho per-
manent establishment of Christianity, which bids
fair to be one of tho principal agencies In
moldinr the future character OF these people.
Several districts of considerable extent are IN
der the sole influence of American missionaries;
and the peculiar form of American civilization
will leave its mark by the side of the Euro.
pean, upon the history Of the rejuvnation Of
Asia.
Our commerce with those fBr-distant cOun-
tries is anothe, strong tic Of union. 1t has
already p,sumed large Dimensions, and bids fair
to eclipse even that Of England. The estab-
! lishment of new steamboat lines connecting the
principal ports of China and Japan with our
western coasts. and the approaching completion
of the Russo-hmoricau telegraph, are opening
prospects, which need only to DO generally
known in order to enlisten the most profound
interest Of our whole country.
1t is no. 10 generally known as it should be
that England and France are now making
greater efforts than ever before to extend over
tho whole Of Eastern Asia either their abso.
| lutte rule OF, at least, some form Of prolec-
torate. Their schemes meet with but little
opposition-the Asiatcs proving TO be entirely
powerle,s, ind tie only Power (iussia) whose
policy il nigh. be TO aid them having nt
prescu. enough TO do in defending the integrity
of her own territory. A large portion Of
Eastern Asia has already experienced the fate
Of Poland; aud if the rest ultimately escapes
sharing the same fate, it will be owing neither
IL its own power nor 10 the forbearance Of the
English and French Governments.
In Indin, tho frontier Of the British Empire
j.. annually extending by the incorporation Of
empires which bad hitherto maintained an ap-
pearance Of Independence. Thus the territory
has increased 10 $4,000 English square miles,
and the number Of inhabitants 10 les, 000,0OO.
| All these millions are kept IN submission by
about 1901 Europeans. Whatever may be
the faults and the crimes which England il
committing against the natives. the fact that
tho education Of the people is making progress,
and that the resources aud the wealth of the
country are being developed. cannot be denied.
Primary yrhoo, srs springing up In cvery dts
tict a Tie empire; colleges and uniyersilies
are multiplied. aud crowd d with native youth,
a. eager for TIE acquisition Of knowledge a.
Europeans and Americans; newspapers, mouth.
ly weekly. aud daily, are e',ahli,hed IN MI
The manifold language, OF the populations
book, In TIE native languages are annually
scattered by tens OF Thousands; commerce II
rapid, ,eItcndiDg. and has recently re-
c-ived a powerful impulse In the increased de.
mand for cotton. Every year wltne'sea the
other means of communication and tho iuilg-
ence OF civilization Is beginning TO be irt
throughout the whole mass of the population.
India is o.dsy az the head Of the As.asic M.
tom. aud is undoubtedly approaching a bril-
liant future.
The possessions of France in Eastern Asia
were, until recently, confined to small dis
trict in India, Pondichery. with only about
2I9. 600 inhabitants. Stimulated by the example
Of England. il has commenced war against
The Emperor Of Anam, who for II long time
bad persecuted his Roman Catholic subjects,
and punished him for his oAcnse by the annex
alton OF six provinces, with population OF
about two millions, to France. She has been,
on the whole. more successful than England IN
throwing into her dependencies sire French
element of population, and her mi.sio. of Far
Their India will be the easier, as she will have
the support of n considerable portion Of ma:
tiyes, who are members Of tho Roman Catholic
Church.
China has not yet lost her autonomy, bat
she has found il necessary 10 yield every de.
maid that England nnd France have made
upon her. She has concluded with them treaties,
conccdug important rights. aud binding her
for tue future; she has opened five OF Der
largo port. TO tho free commerce of the world;
sho has accepted the proiTcred aid Of Franco
aud England for the reorganization Of bor army
and navy. and for the suppression OF the gigantic
rebellion OF the Taepngs. aud she is now
more helpless aud dependent upon foreign
aid than ever. Vast schemes of reorgan-
lzation have been conceived, but TO