The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-09
Departure Of the Chinese Embassy TO
England.

The Chinese Embassy sails this morning in
the Java for England. 1t has finished its
mission to the United States, and goes to ac-
complish like object, if possible, with the
great Powers of Europe. 1t is the most extra
ordinary embassy ever sent from China or that
ever came to the United States 1t is the
commencement of a new and important epoch
in the history of civilization and progress of
the world. The Oldest empire, the history of
which dates back thousands of years and to a
time when all Europe was barbarian, and
which contains more than third of the popu-
lation of the globe, comes for the first time to
seek admission into the family of nations on
the same footing of equality that the civil
lized countries of the West accord to each
other. 1t is marvellous event and pregnant
with mighty results to the whole world, as
well as to the Chinese themselves.
One Of the most remarkable features of this
mission, too, is in the appointment of for
eigner, man Of another race, as chief am
bassador by the proud and heretofore exclu-
sive government Of China. The fact that the
imperial authorities at Pekin solicited Mr.
Burlingame, an American citizen, to accept
the high position of ambassador for China to
the Western Powers shows that the former
exclusive and isolated policy of the empire
has been entirely abandoned, and that there is
an earnest purpose to place China side by side
with the Western nations in the way of pro-
gress. From what we know of Mr.. Burlin-
ha
have accepted the mission had this
not been the case. He has said
over and over again that his mission
means progress, and he is neither deceived
himself nor deceiving others. But to make it
conduce to progress, to encourage and stimu-
late the present liberal tendencies of the Chi
nese government and people, to break down
their long -nurtured exclusiveness and preju-
dices, to inspire them with confidence to intro
duce into the empire the improvements and
civilization of the West, and, as consequence.
to open freer intercourse and a much larger
trade, he saw that the old policy of force and
coercion at the lannon's mouth must be aban-
doned, and that China must be treated by the
Western Powers as those Powers treat each
other-upon principle of equality. That was
the first step to be taken.
Mr.. Burlingame saw this soon after his arri-
val in China as American Minister. The rep
resentatves Of other Powers in China saw it
as well, and among them that truly noble man
the late Sir Frederick Bruce, the British Minis
ter at Pekin. Through his broad and liberal
views and his friendship with Mr.. Burlingame
the new policy toward China, which led to this
mission and the treaty just made with the
United States, was inaugurated of Pekin and
accepted by the British government as well as
by other governments. 1t was known in diplo-
matte circles and in official language as the CO.
operative policy. The action of Sir Frederick
Bruce in the matter, as well as the official
recognition of what he did by the British gov
ernment, can be found both in the archives of
the Foreign Office at London and at Pekin
Mr.. Burlingame, therefore, has not entered
upon any other policy than that approved
by Sir Frederick Bruce and his other COL
leagues at Pekin and accepted by the British
government. The treaty he has made with
the United States is only giving form to and
carrying out that cooperative policy.
Yet we see that portion of the British press
is assailing Mr.. Burlingame and the treaty
Some Of the newspapers, however, are more
enlightened and liberal. Still the London
Standard, which has the reputation of being q
ministerial ournal, expresses itself in rather
carping and unsatisfactory manner. It init
mates that "Mr. Burlingame's mission Is in
tended chiefly to add glory and profit to the
United States" 1t says, call other considera-
tons are secondary to that. Mr.. Burlingame,
however, will explain his errand to Lord STAN
ley, and 1t would be scarcely fair to condemn
his mission utterly without hearing an authori-
tatlve statement of its purposes and designs"
This does not show friendly disposition TO
the mission, but it leaves the door open for
explanation and future consideration. The