The New York herald., 1868-05-04
German Negotiations fer a Territorial
Settlement.
MIR. Burlingame's Native Dipl0-
Eatic Associates.
The lNDo-cHNEsE EXPLORATIONS.
American Naval, Commercial and
missionary Interests.

Defeat and Dispersion of the Northern Re5-
els-Their Reappenrance Near ChiniSiang--
Piracy Outrage on British Subject "A
Prussian Convict Settlement-The Customs
French Iniuence-Thc BurIingame Mission
Fire at Foochow--War Declared by Nipal
Against the Empcror-CoaI Mines.
HONG Kong Feb. 25, 1865.
There is, am afraid, less political news to give
you by this steamer than on previous occasions. Ii
1t were possible would steer clear OF that universal
item, the dongs Of the northern rebels but necessity
compels me to place it first In the somewhat meagre
budget have to transmit. Since last wrote two
very contradictory, but as find, reconciable pieces
or Information have come to hand. The first l5
that the rebels-I really cannot for the life Of me
nnd out their precise status, as they are termed
"rebels," ''nimfei" and "bandittin in different
accounts-have been making mark In the Shan
tung province. They committed many atrocities
and then suddenly took flight before the
mperialist troops, turning up again in large force
In the neghborhood Of ChinKiang. The second re-
CORDS series OF successes which, II true, would
tirey negative the idea Of there being any left to put
in an appearance lin this world) at any point being
to the effect that they were completely defeated by
the now invincble imperialists, and that the rem
nant Of their scattered forces, some 80 900 strong
was put to the sword by the enraged country people
OF the province, famine and cold having disposed of
those who escaped the just vengeance of their
tated foes. 1t appears, however, that one of the
chiefs, with toleraby large body Of followers,
ceeded in making good his escape TO the southwark.
Hence the popular belief that the same force as
that defeated had appeared near Chinkang. The
whole subject is SO involved in mystery, and their
movements 30 little known in this backward empire,
that can do nothing than give you the current
repo Is. Summed up, the fact appears TO be that
the two northern provinces have been purged of
their chronic disease for the present. Central China
having come in for another outbreak. The escaped
rebels propose, it is said to unite with the Mahome-
dams in Kansuh during the summer, in which case
there will be "a pretty Kettle Of fish,"
Dismissing the rebel movements with this short
notice, must not omit to notice the outbreak Of
something far more serious to foreign interests than
even the everlasting rebellion. Piracy has broken
out In an aggravated form in the neighborhood OF
Shanghae and there is reason to believe that unless
speedily checked this fearful evil will reach extent
which Will materially AFFECT commercial prospects.
TWO cases are recorded at length In the local Shang
hae papers; but have good information that many
OF the desperad0es who formerly infested Hong
Kong, but have thanks to the energy of the present
Governor, been obliged to abandon their usual
haunts, have moved up the coast and. being un-
checked by the presence Of an adequate foreign
less favored ports. So the insurance companies had
better look out for their interests.
The small port Of Kinkiangis becoming famous for
the nsoence displayed by its Chinese officials to for
egn consuls and citizens. Not long since, you will
recOllect informed you the British Consul was
treated In a very cavalier manner by a small mob,
and although he sent official denial Of the papers
Of the published accounts, and reduced the mob;''
to three boys and man, or three men and boy,
forget which, there was enough in that version to the
story to justify the belief that John Bun was
represented by one who combined large share OF
meekness with the natural courage incidental to his
race. Embodened by the mild demeanor of this
gentleman the Chinese magistrate saw fit to enter
the house OF British subject and handcuf and re-
move to prison Its occupant. or course this reused
the British lion at last, and an unexpectedly EN-.
phatc demand for satisfaction resulted in the
''subject" being set at liberty and the payment by
John Chinaman Of 500 asa salve to his wounded
feelings. This is rather cheap as there are many
Chinese to whom your correspondent and his friends
would gladly pay 500 for the chance Of Handwriting
imprisoning and insulting.
Talking of consular men reminds me that there js
da to the effect that the British Minister Sir r.
Alcock, Is going TO return to England at the end
OF this year. As Affecting American interests, his
absence or his presence will make little differ
ence-unllke the late Sir Frederick Bruce
whose infuence over Mr.. Anson BurIingame
was so strong that il-natured people said he
jed him by the nose By the way the departure Of
Mr. BurlinCane as Chinese envoy on behalf OF shis
satanic Majesty" as the 0ttaa Punch wickedly
sers the occupant of the dragon throne, leaves Mr
s. Wells Williams as Charge d'Alaires. He Is a good
Scholar and clever man, urbane and hardworkinr
withal; but there seems to be an idea-frst started
fancy, by the Hong Kong newspapers-that an
eminent scholar In not exactly the sort OF person TO
represent such vast interests as those OF the States
al the Court OF Pekin. See what mess the British
made 10y appointing Wade O. b., as Charge d'Anaires
before Alcock arryed--a man whose soul was
wrapped up in Fa-kee hierogyphics and as weak in
politics rs he was strong In linguistic requirements
passionate as he was clever. After the late editorial
diplomatic appointments at home, however 10 may
be mere waste or breath TO say much about Mr.. Will
Hams. Understand he Is much respected by all who
Know him, and that 1t Is moi what he has done but
what he may do which troubles the minds OF his
more reflective countrymen in the far East.
The last European mail brought us intellicence of
a new "idea" emanating from that able politician.
Count Bismarck. Prussia proposes 10 obtain the
cesson OF Chusan as penal settlement for German
ofrscourings. The China journals ore unanimous IN
Condenning the idea OF allowing Prussia to obtain
an island commanding the great highway OF the
china and japan trade, and. above ALL the approach
10 the important emporium OF Shanghse were IL
merely to be held as ''settementi or concession:
but the announcement that 1t is TO receive the sur
plus OF Teutonic convicts has added gall TO their
pens and increased the indignant feeling which has
greeted the news Nothing either, could we be more
antagonistic TO American views In China or Japan
than the establishment OF Prussian colony in this
quarter of The world. we found British officials
In possession when we came here, aud, on the
whole, can put up with them. But another repre-
sentative OF European monarchy flushed with re-
cent conquest and determined 80 place itself first
among the great powers in China, would damage
our interests fora considerable period by inspiring
Che Chinese with fresh opposition TO foreigners-to
Say nothing OF the delights of convict settlement
rnder our noses. subjoin paragraph from one or