Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-05-05
COMMODORE saUFELDT On THE
CHINESE.


nese Navy, has written the following
letter to Minister Sargent:
TIENsrErN, China, Jan. /, 1882.
Ny DEAR SlR:-Six months residence
in this city, the political center of the
Chinese Government, and an intimacy
rather exceptional with the ruling ele-
ment, has convinced me that deceit and
untruthfuluess porvade all intercourse
with foreigners; that An ineradicable
hatred exists; and that any appeal
across this barrier, either of sympathy
or gratitude, is utterly idle. The only
appeal of argument appreciable is that
of force. If justice is done to these
people, it must be for the sake of itself,
not expecting appreciation. II justice
is exacted it must be unrelentinQly. All
sympathy will be construed into weak
ness; all pity into fear. Above all
things necessary is tenAcity of national
dignity. The least condescension fos-
tors conceit and provokes insolence. 1t
is quito true, however, that Europe only
permits or encourages western civiliza-
ton" in China to the extent of subordi-
nation. It fosters the pretext Of
sells guns and ships, knowing
SA0s ~ ID A4Os IA eA4O kOhA0o Vi tAO Snl-
nese TO handle them; that in time of
war they simply become easy prizes to
the first European enemy. But COM
mercially England alone controls China.
Eighty six Per cent, of the foreign trade
which collects all duties upon foreign
imports, is managed BY an English In
spoctor- General. Under him ia a corps
- fr~ <.tG n -hsAtx
custom houses, commands the gunbOats
and revenue cruisers, and maintains the
lighthouse system. In fact, almost ev-
anything which filters into China from
tho outside. world goes through this
strange excresence upon its body polite.
Diplomatically, also, England rules Chi
Da. Recognizing tho hard logic of
facts, she has infused wholesome
dread of her power by always following
tho word with tho blow. The murder
of MarRary for instance, on the west
srnmost confines of the country, out
side of all visible protection, among an
insubordinate people, was avenged on
the demand. Sir Thomas Wade, her
Britannia Majesty's Minister, said: "Do
this, or will haul down my flag" No
squirming could evade this command,
no lies deceive. He insisted upon the
trial Of the murderer in the presence Of
British officer, and 1t was done. do
not 60 into the equity Of this case or
the zeal and responsibility Of the Pc
king Government, but l ana convinced
that acting with such decision always
when right and even sometimes when
wrong, ia the only means by which for
eigners can live in China with security
TO life and property. 1t il only = ques-
ton between this and tho right to live
here ut all.
But the United Ssatss standing. or
endeavoring to stand, upon higher
plane than that of mere physical force,
pursues in China policy Of moral sua-
sion which neither o0nvinces nor con-
verts the Chinaman to the doctrines Of
a common brotherhood of men or ma
tions, for, high "a the b eavens are above
the earth, 30 high 10 his conesit, and
deep a. the waters OF the sea - tho
measure of his contempt for the "Out-
side barbarian" Any high moral
ground in the field of diplomacy-any
appeal to the motives which ordinarily
govern nations-indeed, any argument
unaocompanied by the outward and Wis
ible sign of force, is used only for the
purpose Of delay, which in tho end is
equivalent to victory. Yet the United
State has interests in China destined
in h0future 70 be greater than those of
any other natiOn-p0esessinR az We do
the Pacific ocean a. . common highway
geographically with reference to the
continents, politically with yeference to
Europe, and commercially with refer
enoe TO each other. These interests
should b reciprocal, but China does
not care to realize this fact-does not
desire any identity of interests. She
would today If she could. exclude every
article Of foreign manufacture from her
shores. She is slowly learning the west
ern arts in order that by means Of them
abe may some time not only exclude
foreign goods, but tho foreigner him
self from the country. China for tho
Chinese" 10 moro than ever tho motto OF
every Mandarin in the Empire. Our
policy, therefore, should be positive,
and governed, 10 the extent OF moral
Law, by American interests alone, and
followed up by tho argument which
they understand-the argument Of
force. pressure, not persuasion.
Ii Hung Chang senior guardian OF
the emperor. grand secretary, command
er-in-chief of eighteen provinces, COM
missioner of coast defense, etc., sits in
his vicsreeal chair at Tentsin. the gate
of tho capital of China, regulates the in
gress and egress of foreign diplomats TO
the courts, aud defines the foreign and
dictates the domestic policy Of the cour-
try, Ii Hung Chang 10, therefore, the
absolute and despetio ruler Of 100000
600 Of people. Yet such il tho system Ct
this Government that he lives on the
breach Of the empress. an ignorant ca
pricious and immoral woman. a word
from her and his power would vanish
with the morning mist, and his coun-
tiers would shrink from him - . man
with the plague. He il 50 years Of age,
elk fest two inches in stature, has a cold,
clear, cruel eye, and an imperious man
mar. He il q thorough oriental and m
intense Cninaman. This implies con-
tempt for western nations and hatred
for Ill foreigners. Ii Hung Chang. the
vicefoy Of China, II Ne Bismaruk Of the
east. He keeps together the inconRru-
ous empire and an e6ete dynasty by the
repressive force Of an indOmitabls viii.
He suppresseo rebellions BY decapata-
ton, and quiets the turbulent with the
bamboo. Yet he u great, not because
he il 20 much in advance OF hls country
men, but because he 10 not % Tar behind
a. they are in an appreciation OF the
arts, political and physical, which gov
ern the modern world. Ne at leass 70
coQnixss the value Of thsae forces; be
buvo ships Of war, constructs foEta, ex-
perimenis in torpsd0ea, and drills troops
vifh modern arms. He has learned that
dsspjte the protAstations Of civilization,
the sword vet remains the arbitsr o.
nation, and that China 70 b rsspectsd
mud s. armed. But be doee mot know
that Standing in the way Of his miiitary
and naval aspiEations j. the tact thAs IN
China there l. no naval spirit
When ~ consider the enolmous pow
Or Of thee four hundred milliona Of poo
ME II turned in IN Intelligent directiOg
-unrsstrained BY any moral ooiiRasaon
unhindered BY any physical oouRaoos
frem ovorTunninR oount!sse exsetmin,
atinS raoos-I am forosd TO agree viii
| the oxperieuoed diplomat that Chinse
progrcas in the arts Of var b . thing y
s. ohsoked rather than aoceleEated p!
western nations. But, nOtWith1ea1diul
the haavy hand whieh The representa-
tivss Of Europe lay On China vhensve
/ Is makes Q move, Oontf19eod win -
n0nS0n1v urn0not3hln ueannuyo ct Am0k1