New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-28
CRINA IND Russia.

T'bare ia nrObably an end at last TO the threat
- ,ror hatween China and Russia, as both
Powers show an inclination to ratliy the Terms
of tho treaty which was concluded by the dipio-
matists in st. Petersburg. and approved by
telegraph by tire Imperial Princes in Pekin. Ii
there is no further trickery, and the terms
of the treaty are honestly executed, China Will
have made decidedly the best OF the bargain
over which there has been such long and fierce
hagglng. The treaty is said to have been the
work of the Marquis Tseng; it gives to China
the whole of Kuldja, the contested territory,
except an inconsiderable corner in the north
west, which will serve as haven OF refuge for
any citizens who prefer to remain Russian sub
iects. China is to pay "a substantial sum"
but absolutely refuses to reimburse Russia the
cost of her war preparations OF to indemnify
her for her care of the province. The treaty IS
regarded as q complete triumph Tor the war
party in Pekin, of which the Imperial Princes
are chief. 1t will, without a doubt, give to
China more solid strength and prestige among
Western Nations than she has ever had before.
During the last fifteen years in all the Affairs OF
Central Asia she has proved successful beyond
any other Power, both in war and diplomacy.
General Tso-Tsung Tang, who has COM
manded In the Northwest for six years, has
completed his preparations for defence In
Mantchooria with such thOroughness that the st.
Petersburg journals candidly confess that
Russia is not able ut present to cope with these
@yast and wel-armed hosts" he returned to
Pekin to assist in celebrating on the treaty
and to receive an ovation on the Chinese New
Year. Now this General Tso is we'll known to
nj
gressiye policy of China and now that he and
his coadjutors have achieved so signal a
triumph in this matter, the question is, what
will they do next7 In England there is
good deal of anxiety on the subject, for 1t Is
looked upon as certain that as soon as the Rus
sian difficulty is settled, the Administration at
Pekin will turn to the opium question. The
war party IN China have avowed themselves
determined to put stop to all importation OF
the drug, and General TsO (who is sort OF
Monaghan Bismarcx) has so positive personal
antipathy to it that he has actually Drought
the army to q condition Of total abstinence
simply by chopping Of the head OF every man
who uses it. Early in November this opium
question was declared by his party to be more
important and urgent than even the impending
war with Russia Hence IL is likely that as
soon az the terms of tho treaty are executed
the boy Emperor will be forced to move deci-
sively in the matter, careless as to whether Eng
land is offended or not.
Whether Prince Chun and General Tso could
sustsiu China in struggle with England as
effectively as they have done with Russia is u
matter Of doubt. But there can be no doubt as
to the wisdom OF their policy If they wish to
raise China to the position of second-class
Power. They have regained every foot OF
ground she has ever lost. ana they are enlight-
eued enough to see that increase Of territory is
subordinate matter to tho necessity oil keep
ing out the drug which has 30 long debased the
Chinese people both physically and mentally.
Their theory of action seems to be that no civ
ihzation is possible to Nation OF drunkards.
Ii isprobable that England will again try to force
its importation upon them. Under any circum-
stances the opium question will rise into i'm
portance in Eastern affairs before the year Is out.