The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-09-25
Gen. Grant in China.

China it would appear that there is II
probability that one result of General
Grants visit to China may be Il settle
ment Of the vexed question of Chinese
Immigration, and thus much evil be
ayerted to our Pacific Coast.
1t is said certain propositions have
been made through him to the United
States Government by high officials of
the Imperial Government, that offer
means Of settlement without u new
treaty. 10 explain this fully, it is neces-
sary first to narrate certain facts regard
ing the Government of China that not
all are acquainted with.
The present Emperor of China is an
infant Of about five years, under the care
Of two women, that may be called the
Empress Mother and the Empress Dow
acer of former Emperors. AS nearly as
can be explained to foreigners-these
two old women may be said to oct as
Regents during the minority Of the
child.
The Prime Minister who has been i'll
power many Years, is Prince Kun@, u
name we'll known to European diplomat
lists; but the statesman who IS the motive
power Of China in her foreign relations,
and also i'll progression to our modern
civilization is II man OF great ability and
requirements Chinaman and not n
Mantchon Tartar. This man is the
Viceroy, by name Loi Hung Chang. He
rose to his present high rank by having
crushed the great Tapping rebellion some
years since, is one of the finest Chinese
scholars, and we'll versed in modern
knowledge, history, geography, etc. He
is the same age as General Grant, and
like him, has become celebrated by hay
ing put down rebellion in his country.
These facts have brought about most in
innate relations and friendship between
two great men, and owing to this, prob
ably, no foreigner has ever been received
with the cordiality and favor that Gen.
Grant has IN Peking and China. And
this has not been the most important re-
suit, for through the personal friendship
of the Viceroy to the General, he has
been informed that if the United States,
through the Secretary of State, or any
proper official parsonage appointed, will
apply to the Imperial Government to
stop Chinese emigration to California
and the United States, and Imperial
edict of the most stringent character will
be at once issued that Will stop emigra-
ton eltectually, and most particularly all
of the laborng classes; and this will be
done without the necessity of any new
treaty.
General Grant, who viii arrive in
San Francisco about the last of Sep
tember, has authority to make the above
propositOn to the Government at W ash
inSton.
The visit Of General Grant to China,
and the receptions and entertainments
extended to him by foreigners and
Chinese, has been cosmopolitan rather
than purely national event. BY
foreigners Of all natonaities he has
been recognized as a distinguished man,
and a worthy recipient Of the honors
shown him throughout the world. In
Shanghai. the spontaneous action Of a
community representing every latlon-
alitv, and the brilliant results Of their
efforts, show the unity OF thought and
sentiment that binds civilized nations
together
Honor to the brave and respect for
eminent talents are feelings implanted
by nature in the human breast through
out the world. We see their outcome
in all countries, and especially in China
However, in the lstter country the sit
uation is different; as there, the famous
men Of the West are but little known
or appreciated; the country for a score
of centuries has been concerned only
with herself and her own people. The
position Of all foreigners in tins country
is such. that their interests are mostly
identical, not as English, French,
Germans or Americans, but rather
without distinction as to nationality.
In the eyes of the Chinese they are
only "ioreignels-a people from with
out"
Therefore the unanimity with which
General Grant was greeted 10y those OF
all nations, had an appropriate and hap
by effect upon the Chinese; and their
attention shown to him must be coasid-
cred as offered not only to an American,
but to Il most distinguished foreigner,
who might have been Il German on
Frenchmau.