The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-02
AMERICAN COMMERCIAL SUPREMACY IN THE
FAR EAST.
NEW YORK. August 80, 1869.

NEW YORK. August 80, 1869.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
By the opening Of the Isthmus OF Suez. which is
preparing for Asia great pOlitico geographical
voluti0n and development Of commerce, the far
Eastern question Is maze to-day the principal
thought OF all nations. BY force Of circumstances
Pekin has become the open field OF diplomatic
rivalry. Affairs in that city are inclining to take
the same tOurnure as In COnstantinople. IL is, so
TO speak, a permanent TOrneum for the supremacy
OF influence between France, Russia and England.
These three Powers find themselves again the front
in the Chinese capital and now to these three has
been added fourth competitor-America.
The Chinese character, well that OF the other
Asatics, 10 very peculiar They Judge mainly by
outward appearances and listen 70 and prefer those
who are familiar with their ideas, language and GUS
toms; and furthermore the Impressions which
they first conceive, either In regard to
q man or nation, remain compare
lively unchanged ever after. Upon their
first Impressions they very generally base their
tons. Who has ever made better impressions than
America. in that quarter Of the world9 In 1850,
without firing gun, she obtained from the Chinese
government the same treaties and privileges as
France and England who have been compelled to
60 to war to obtain them.
What Minister OF any other nation has received
from the Chinese government equal proof OF esteem,
lingames was present In the American Legation
at Pekn In March, 1853, when the Secretary OF War
OF the Chinese empire came to visit Mr.. Buriugame
about the succession Of General Ward 0rOm Salem,
Mass.), and l have witnessed what marks Of high
consideration and cordial sympathy that high Man.
DARN and the others OF his sta showed towards the
American representative.
The grant from the Chinese government to Mr..
Andrew G. Curtin, President OF the China Telegraph
Company. TO establish submarine telegraph from
Canton to Shanghai, Is sure to be the herald OF
some other equally important Are not all
these things irrefragable proof that the Chinese
government desires to entertain with the Americans
close aud lasting friendship, and quite In contra
dctIon with the assertion Of the Hon. j. Ross
Browne, thut the Chinese rulers neither like nor pre-
fer any nation, and do not want progress The Hon.
Ross Browne had the fatal misfortune Of not being
willing and not being able to comprehend the
OF Sir Rutherford Alcock, the British Minister and
also to those OF the asue secretary and interpreter
En@Isnnan and furhermore Is cupaSe ~ for no.
having followed the right way marked out to him by
his clever predecessor. And he has Jailed. Who
ever Is the cause OF bis own failure has only himself
to blame.
is unquestionable that after the brilliant success
lister to China has become more difficult, also more
important following the treaty OF July, 1888, be-
rumored has not been ratified by the Chinese. /
really believe this to be canard from British
sources, and to be the effort OF clique
headed by the English representatives and the
principal opium traders. the worst enemies Of
China, trying to create obstacles to the exc
and to embter the feelings OF the Americans against
the Chinese and their distinguished countryman Mr..
Burngame. The Chinese Mandarins have been &C.
oustOmed to deal with Mr.. Buringame, very cour-
teous and very Intelligent diplomatic man, OF very
nne personal qualities, who always respected the
customs ana ideas OF others and never cared II the
Chinese were Christians or pagans, and, what was
excellent In him. never allowed himself to be innu-
enced BY the English. This ought 70 be pur-
sued by oil the future American Ministers In the far
East TO have the least possible to DO with the British
representatives ana British merchants and IN every
circumstance to be IN opposition to them. America
possesses many very able politicians, but not all OF
them are dt to Ill the Chinese mission. In the
much complicated. In China, well as In all other
parts OF ASIA practical experience prevails over
II the Americans firmly wish to obtain the place
which due to them In the far East-that is say
the SUPREMACY they must send to Pekin Jeddo and
bangkok able. far-seeing. bold and practical men
Minister'S also competent COnsus In the various sea-
ports. AT Shanghai they already have good one
Mr. George y. Seward. Then, taking advantage OF
our geographical pOsltion-viz. from our Pacific
coast we have with the far East the nearest
ton, and by properly directed erorts from u.s. and
by steady policy well applied by our Ministers there,
can inalliby obtain the supremacy in that part OF
The world, which Will be for more than century to
come the universal bazaar OF commerce and the
rendezvous OF all bold and enterprlsing men. ia
pan China and siam require more Steamboats,, rail-
ways ana telegraphs oil winch up 10 the present they
nave nothing The Americans can easily furnish all
| this TO them.
The Chinese emigrants, most OF them agricultur-
| ists will be very useful for the Southern states,
and very likely Introduce the cultivation oil tea and
mulberry plantations for tbs silk worm, for the pro-
duct OF which manv millions are going yearly 20
China. The Chinese are very industrious anu hard
working men, and every where they go they BRING
agricultural prosperity.
La politfque oest la science des 6ts. Has not the
American government facts enough to be induced
70 inaugurate for the last n steady policyr
] Should the present administration meet CHS mo-
ment0us question boldly " will secure the grateful
recognition Of the entire country and glory second
70 none achieved by any administration Ance the for
nation Of our government, and General Grant wil\
| make very bright page IN the historS OF American
IL Atuio mn