Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-09-21
THE TONQIIN DIFFICULTY.

A clear idea of the present relations be-
tween France and China is not easily gath
cred from the Geographic dispatches detail
ing the situation Of the rival powers. Inc
quarrel is based of COURSE upon the occupd-
ton of Tonquin by French troops, but cx-
ac,ly why China should consider herself ag-
greved by this action to the extent OF hos
| tile preparation against the invaders, is not
| so easily seen.
Touquin is province of the kingdom of
AMMAN, which is contiguous 10 the Chinese
| frontier, and subject to the Sovereignty OF
China The French occupation Of this
province is, then, an offence to Chinu, i'll the
| first place. because it is a practical ignoring
| Of her suzerainty. IN the second place,
China, very naturally and properly,
wishes to maintain the balance OF
power according to the best approved
method of modern diplomacy-viz., by plac-
ing between herself and any possible rival
power dependent territory. Ii is perfectly
reasonable that she should Obi ct to the
planting Of powerful European interest
upon her borders. In this case, should the
French become established in AMMAN, China
would have no safeguard agains. invasion, no
barrier to put in the way of Europe's power.
| France would practically control an Optn
gateway into the Chinese territory, and
could admit her own or allied forces with
rapidity and case. 1t is the policy of every
nation surrounded by hostile powers, TO
place state between itself and the world.
China has the right, and the duty, of uphold
| ing her privilege in this respect AMMAN
and Burmuh are her shields against invasion,
and it is not surprising that she should resent
any effort on the part of European powers to
occupy these kingdoms.
What excuse, then does France make
for attempting to establish foothold in An
nam. She claims that China possesses nc
actual siIzcraluty over AMMAN or Burmah;
that her power over them is merely nominal,
ard is not sanctioned by any concessions on the
part Of the subject provinces other than tacit
submission to II superior power. In this view
of the case, France claims that her right to
exercise suzeranty in these States is as good
as that Of China. But the principal reason as
signed by France for occupying Tonquin, is
that in the recent troubles and riots there,
China neglected to support the tights of for
eigners. France, then, has undertaken to see
to the interests of her own subjects in ADnam,
and has done it in the most eileclnal and quick
est way, VIZ, by military invasion. There is
some justice in this claim, and it has the
sanction of precedent in European affairs, 50
far as that can be a justification.
France also cites as precedent in her IA
vor, the previous action of China in the case
of Cochin China. In this instance, it will I've
remembered, the Chinese government Offered
no resistance, or made no serious objection
to the occupancy of the province by foreign
p lwcr without consultation with her. But
We fail to see how any such action as this es-
tablshcs precedent, inasmuch rs no diplo-
matte measure ought to be Judged binding,
in view of the different circumstances which
govern in every instance. 1t is the very ma
ture of diplomacy to discriminate in differ, mt
cases, and not to be governed by any such
wooden policy as is implied in blind
following Of precedent. What particular IN
ducements therepreviously were in the case of
Cochin China to submit to foreign interfer-
ence, may be known to the Chinese govern.
ment alone. 1t certainly is nobody ell IS
business, and much less an obligation which
an outsider may force upon China in tie
present difficulty.
Whatever may lie the rights Of either par
ty, some sort Of contest seems inevitable.
Large numbers of French troops are being
prepared for transport, and military stores
are being provided, in case the present ncgo-
tiations fail to settle the dispute. China also
is getting her forces under command, and
making arrangements for the commencement
of hostilIties. Probably, nothing bat arbitra-
tion on the part of England or the United
States can prevent war, and there is some
doubt whether arbitration would be accepted
by either France or China.