The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-24
@ II Z III a.
Imperial and Popular Preparations for
the Formal Ascension Of the
Emperor to the Throne.
Foreign Interests and the Ministerial Audience
Question-Native Mercantile Marine
Progress and Great Hope Of
Steam Trade Development

SHANGHAE, Dec. IL. 1872.
The marriage Of the Emperor OF China having
been contaminated, that august parsonage Is to
remain In entire seclusion until the time arrives
for him to ascend the throne OF his ancestors.
Great preparations are being made for the proper
solemnization OF that event. Decorations and
promotions are to be bestowed with lavish hand
Presents are to be made, high festivals held and
criminals are to be pardOned The happy day will
be some time in February. But, in spite OF all the
noise and bother made about its coming, doubt
whether any material change will be noticeable in
the government OF the Empire. Prince Kung will
still. III all probability, have entire control But
We may expect lively time on the audience ques-
ton, as the Prime Minister WILL after the ascension
Of his nephew to the throne. be deprived of the
excuse with which he has hitherto succeeded in
postponing the subject, and definite settlement
will undoubtedly be demanded by all the foreign
Ministers resident at Pekin.
AMERICAN DIPLOMACY AND NATIONAL INTERESTS
book has lately made its appearance here in
China which has created quite stir among the
foreign residents, and especially among the diplo-
matte corps and foreign officers in Chinese en-
ploy. 1t is entitled 'The Burngame Mission"
and the author Of it is one Johannes Won Gumpach,
gentleman who was residing in Pekin when Mr..
Buringame set forth on his mission attached to
one of the foreign legations. Since that time he
has been offered an appointment as teacher under
the Chinese government; but some hitcn arising
as TO his title, namely-whether he was to be called
Professor or not, and whether he was to superin-
tend In his department or not-the negotiation
fell through and China has done without the as
sistance that could have been rendered by Baron
Gumpach. The book Is written Tor the purpose OF
showing that the Burlingame Mission was
fraud, not only upon foreign countries but
even upon CHINA herself and that the
Chinese government is most treacherous
and baIbarous one. He accuses DR.. Williams the
American Secretary OF Legation, OF lalsifying
Official transactions and. in fine, Is particularly
bitter upon everything American. The book con-
tains great deal OF interesting matter, and un
doubleday many of his points are proven by the
authorities he adduces, and especially the one
which he makes that the object of China was to
stave OIL the evil time OF revising the treaties. But
1T is the production OF a sour and embittered ind-
toleraby strong cause by his vndctlveness
Had he been less OF partisan and capable OF being
an impartial writer, this book would have been
most valuable one, and the world could have
learned all about the Burlingame Mission and
Chinese diplomacy. But the whole object of the
work Is almost oestroyed-at any rate it is OBJ
scured-by the dislike, which the author takes no
pains to disguise, that he entertalns toward the
Americans in China
NATIVE MERCANTILE ENTERPRISE
The foreign merchants OF this port are just now
greatly exercised over the fact that the Chinese
them in the coast carrying trade. Hitherto all this
trade has been done by foreign shpowners-the in
surance companies refusing to insure vessel I'M
der the Chinese nag But this difficulty has just
been got over by the Chinese appointing a foreign
agent who acts az intermediary between them and
the insurance Offices MIR. j. III. Mackie citizen OF
the United States has been appointed to this Office.
This movement on the part OF the Chinese IS one OF
great interest. In the first place, 1t shows that
they are waking up, and are beginning to apprcci-
ate the use OF steam vessels. In the second place,
they undoubtedly will have the privilege OF enter
Ing ports that are closed to foreigners, which VIII
tend to increase the demand Tor foreign goods and
open up new markets. Besides, in the course OF
the following year, have no doubt that the chi
sells in the harbors OF New York and London.