The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-07
CHINA AND EUROPE.
VIII n War Between China and France In-
YOIve the other European P0werss

VIII War Between China and France In
yoIye the other European Powerss
In the Pail Mall Gazette of the Goth ultimo
is an extract on the relations OF the European
nations with China, and the probable conse-
quence in case OF war growing out of the
Tien-tsin massacre. 1t takes background that
any steps of Importance in the way of negotia-
tion, can press claim, or attempt TO obtain an
advantage or urge threat, except in con-
cert with the other powers. 'We alone"
it says, '(or with the Americans to
a much less eXtenD have really any business in
China at all. The other powers have no 'busi-
ness there. But their so-called interests, not
of commerce, but of supposed national great
ness, forbid their being contented with any
position apart from US, or jointly with us on
any footing except that of equality" x
The unhappy Chinese are conscious that their
domestic affairs, or what they fondly
consider as such, are superintendent not by
one foreign partner, but by four, without in
Guiding Russia. All the peculiarities of the Chi
nese character, which we have striven so hard
TO neutralize, sometimes by rough and some-
times by soft means, are, of course rendered
infinitely more jealous and obnoxious and at the
same time amply justified, by the state of things
thus produced They would fain shut them
selves up more completely than ever in their
old insulation; and the practical impossibility
of their oppressors acting in concert gives them
advantages for this purpose which for long
time they bad not possessed. All recent reports
from China seem to teach the same uncomfort-
able lesson. Nothing can be done with the
Chinese. Whether Mr.. Burlingame were a
dreamer or an impostor, his grand theory has.
collapsed. We have made our way into their
potts, into Pekn, up their great river; but we
arc as far from getting them to cooperate with
us in any way as ever. Projects for railways,
telegraphs, internal steam navigation, all seem
at a standstill. The Chinese Government will
not hear of them; not becauseit it has not learned
10 appreciate their value, but because it cannot
stir step in any direction without having first
to satisfy, not only the interests, but the 'sus-
capabilities of The whole circle of diplomatists
which surround il. Such seems to be the con-
dition which we have contrved tobring affairs;
and the worst of it is that no practicable issue
from these perpleXities seems to suggest itself.
And now to these embarrassments is added a
new one of very serious character. The
French, at TientsD, have been victims of
frightful massacre arising out of popular pas
sion. Whether they had, in any way, provoked
it, by that overbeoring spirit in dealing with
foreigners which is charged against them, we
need not inquire. The atrocity of the act itself
admits of no course but that of prompt and
effective punishment. But at this point an
awkward question arises. If the vague and
mis- chieyous notion is to be adopted that all
Europeans in China mutually guarantee each
other, then let us carry out the doctrine. Let
each nation be responsible for the injustice
done by every other nation, as well as bound to
exact retributiOn for in Justice done to it. Let
some ineligible rules of federal action be
established among us. As it is are we or are
we not to consider this wrong done to France as
our own? And may we do so without taking
! America and Prussia into partnership? And
will they accept the partnership? 1t is ru-
mored that France has demanded five hundred
beads as the price of blood for her slaughtered
subjects; are we bound, if this be true, to accept
| this valuation, and assist her in enforcing exc
cution? We ask these questions with considera-
! ble uncertainty as well as reluctance. We cannot
ascertain that there is anywhere definite view
of the mutual duties which our quasi-alliance
! in the waters of China entails on the powers or
the common duties which they undertake
towards the empire itself. And in the meantime
the distant tempest is growing, and appear
ances seem to indicate that the massacre OF
Tien-tsin may be only beginning of sorrows,
and that the negative hostility now exhibited
! by the Chinese Government towards European
! progress and European schemes will be backed
on the part of its subjects, by active and fero-
cious enmity; in which, if it once breaks out
! We must be seriously involved