The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-31
j. Ro.s Browne ON China.

j. Ross Browne ON China.
It appears by telegram from San Francisco,
published yesterday, that Mr.. j. Ross Browne
contradicts the statement that came by the way
of London, to the effect that the Chinese gov
eminent had rejected the treaty made by Mr..
Burlingame with the United States. We
expressed our doubt at the first Of the truth Of
the report. He now says the ratification OF
the treaty is deferred till the return OF the
Embassy. So far, then, our ex-Minister to
China has been misrepresented. But there
can be no question as to what he has written
and published over his own signature on China
and the Chinese. He thought proper to
ventilate his ideas, and we fear his prejudices
as well, in letter addressed to certain British
merchants at Shanghae which letter was
published in the HERALD on Sunday
He has committed grave mistake in
thus assuming an attitude OF hostility
to the policy Of his own countryside country
that he was sent to represent in China. His
conduct is more reprehensible, too, for having
made these foreigners, the British opium
traders, who are the bitterest enemies of China,
the medium for his publication. Whatever
views he might have entertained or wished
to express should have been ex-
pressed to his own government alone,
especially as the policy he discusses and con-
dennis was inaugurated at Washington and
followed by treaty made with the United
States that formed the basis of similar treaties
with the Powers of Europe. Such conduct
may seem bold and independent, but it is
unwise, indiscreet and unpatriotic.
His letter, though smoothly and carefully
written, lacks grasp of thought Admitting
even what he says to be true, that the Chinese
government does not desire progress or more
free Intercourse with the people and nations of
the Burliugame mission is to prevent such
progress rather than to promote it, the cordial
reception of the Embassy and the broad and
liberal treaties made with it cannot result
unfavorably. This was the true policy for
the great civilized nations of Europe and
America to pursue. 1t remains to be seen if
China will reject the treaties lately made
with this and other countries. We have
yet to see whether the Chinese government
has resolved, as Mr.. Browne intimates, on
retrogression. We are inclined to think it is
not 80, and hope it is not 1t appears to us
that the present government of China has
shown too much good sense and liberality to
Justify the opinion that it would venture to
trile in such q manner with all the great
Powers of the world. 1t would be the height
of temerity and folly. Prince Kung and the
high mandarins that surround him must know
such course would raise storm of indigna-
ton throughout America and Europe not easy
to be allayed, and that must in the end be
very damaging to China. The Christian
nations of the civilized world would do well to
try the peace policy with the Chinese. 1t is
magnanimous, broad liberal and in accord
ance with the spirit of the age. If, as Mr..
Browne thinks, the Chinese fail to appreciate
policy of peace and progress, the alternative
of war can then be evoked. All Mr.. Brownies
talk about paganism, pagans and Christianity
smacks very much Of the old missionary and
opium traders prejudices, and is outside of
the real question at issue. The civilized
world of Europe and America will not be
trihed with, nor do we think the Chinese
government 50 stupid as to imagine such q
thing. Surely it has seen and felt the power
of the great Christian nations too sensibly to
make such mistake. The liberal peace
policy inaugurated on the arrival Of the
Burlingame mission Is the true one IL that be
practicable Let it be tried fairly, and then,
if it should fail, the great Powers can at last
resort to force. We must wait the result OF
present efforts for peace and progress, aud are
not without hope, notwithstanding Mr..
Brownies opinions, that they may prove sue
cessful.