The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-23
MIR. BROWNIES OPINIONS.

from the ". 4. sun,
MIR. j. Ross Browne, late United States
Minister to China, has made several speeches
since his return, defending his policy towards
that country. The last of these addresses,
recently delivered at San Francisco adds
weight to the previous evidence of his unfit
ness for the Chinese mission Although we
regard the maintenance of an expensive diplo-
matte establishment at Pekin as an unneces-
sary and foolish expenditure of the public
money, we think it important that, so long as
the mission does exist it should be filed by
a thoroughly capable man. But Mr. Brownies
political ideas are narrow and immature They
are hundred years behind the age.
He tells us that the Chinese are brutal and
savage, and that they have murdered foreign
merchants and missionaries; though at the
same time he says the people are intelligent,
but crushed down by their ignorant rulers.
The last statement is hard to reconcile with
the others. Mr.. Browne says further that we
should not allow the Chinese to be thus
'crushed down" He thinks that we can only
prevent it by opening the country to foreign
trade. The Government at Washington is
trying the Cancellation policy, but he believes
it ought to try war.
Now, if the United States were to attempt
to replace evil government by good govern
ment wherever the former could be found
throughout the world, the task would be not
only onerous, but supremely ridiculous. Yet
what better would it be to interfere in China
An imaginary duty to reform mankind is the
only excuse we could Offer Chinese trade is
undoubtedly important to America; but if we
are imperatively required to repress existing
evils in all countries of commercial import
ance to us, we should begin not in Asia, but
in America and Europe
A sufficient fleet ought to be stationed in
East Indian waters to protect American in
terests in China and the East, and to secure
reparation in all cases of injury to foreigners
The United States require no further diplo-
matte representation than is afforded by our
consuls, who should be competent and we'll
paid. Mr.. Browne states that the American
Consul at Pekin is an Englishman who has
never been in this country, which is surpris-
ing in view of the number of our native citi-
zens who are willing to serve the nation. even
at so great distance from home.
Mr.. Brownies speeches have been delivered
to show that he ought to have been retained
in office; and he alleges that he owes his
recall to his advocacy of the only true and
wise policy toward China; that is, foreign in
reference, and subjugation if necessary. But
we think that these views show conclusively
that he is not suited to the place; for his
hatred of the Chinese government, and his
entire lack of sympathy with any Chinese in
stitutions, certainly disqualify him from acting
as friendly representative of the United
States.
However, if Mr.. Browne is not diplomat,
he is something of a wag. When Prince
Kung inquired of him about men in this
country whose heads are half wood and hall
flesh, he told him in reply that we had nc
| such men, but that we had men whose heads
were all wood. To this class it is Mr.. Browne &
| opinion that certain writer's for the Times
| belong