The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-09-12
FRANCE AND CHINA.

and China, should IL take place, according TO
newspaper programme, is likely to be OF
more than ordinary interest to others than
the Nations directly concerned The policy of
China has been to keep foreigners ut q safe
distance from the Celestial, the Flowery
KiDgdom-the further away the better. The
Chinese Empire has q total circumference OF
- 500 miles, and an area of about 4,153 600
square miles-say one third OF Asia and only
little less than one tenth part of the habit
able globe. This Empire, tits believed, has the
largest amount OF population and wealth
omitted under one Government in TIE world.
The Government is said 10 be strictly patri-
srohal, and probably, ell things considered,
China is as well governed as any other that
could be named.
China proper embraces about onequsrter
of the En- pire, having an area of about 1. 500.-
eco square miles, and, according to late esti-
mates, population of 430, O0O. 900, the lowest
estimate being 325, OOO, coo. China is divided
into twenty provinces, in which there are
about fifteen cities where foreigners are
permitted TO reside, and beyond which they
are practically excluded; and the Emperor,
who has numerous titles, euch as Brother
| of the Sun aud Moon" ''Son OF Heaven"
'Loid of Myriad Years" etc, yields reluc-
tently to any further concessions to barbarian
demands Tor foo.hold on his sacred soil
Hitherto the outside word has been aggres-
sive, and as the years come and go the in III
cations are that the Brother OF the Sun aud
Moon" will be required to grant foreigners
larger privileges. 1t Is for such extended
privileges of commerce and settlement that
the French are now contendlng. But China
OF to day ia not China of half or even q
I quarter of a century ago. The Celestials have
learned il hey are to preserve eheIr Empire
from foreign invasion aud con.
! quest they must tight like for
egneTs and with modern weapons.
AS result, China has htty-siK war vessels.
said to be well equipped, and her army is
! fairly disciplined, credits6ly armed AMI
| fights we'll, and it is estimated that $4,000
welldrilled soldiers could at cncs be sent to
| the front AS to the number OF reserves.
| raw recruits. that could be drawn upon IN
case OF necessity, it is only required to state
| that the population exceeds 800 900, O00.
! France will find the conquest OF any portion
/ of the Chinese Empire, under such circum-
| stances, an exceedingly difficult job. 1t is
! given out, by those who assume 10 know,
( that il war with Francs assumes
/ anything approximaGDg dimensions
| requiring China to put forth
! her strength, it will result in driving all
foreigners from the Empire. We are told
| that the Chinese when exasperated do not
distinguish between Frenchmen, English.
| men, Americans or residents OF other Chris
I tian nationalitieS, but treat all alike as enc
mics. IL such should be the result 1t will
well become the civilized Nations OF the
earth to combine and teach the Celsstials g
lesson which they will not forge. in thou
sand years. Little can BIS said in favor OF
Chinese walls or Of n policy designed TO
| operate as barrier TO intercourse with the
outside world. Such things are heathenish
| and are doomed. The human family hSs
better and broader conceptions Of its mission,
and China in due time will be COLE pslled to
surrender. II is well to talk Of peace on earth
indeed, the Christian theory OF conquest Is
the opposite of war. but so far 1t has not bsen
sufficiently potent 10 change the practices oil
Christian Nations. There voice seems TO be
everlastngly for war. It was said of the
| American sborjgines that their employ
ments were Hunting. fishing and war" II
! in these regards they differed materially
from the Christians who took possession Of
their forests and plains, rivers and lakes it
. is the daty of historians 20 chronicle the
facts. When war is waged IN the
interest OF civilization il may be
justly called Christian war"
When it knocks down idols, elevasss the
masses, exterminates dynisties and estab-
fishes Republics, 1t is good thing, and suoh
war is needed in China The pigsailed,
| almond eyed Celestisls have 10 right to wall
in one-tenth part OF the habitable globe aud
| say to the other nine-tenths you can't
come in" The outsiders win 20 IN eventual.
ly, and the world will be better for wars
which break down all such heathenish
theories of government. as consequence
all Christian lands should be in sympathy
with France TO gaia foothold in China, and
the blood and treasure invested will pay sat.
| isfsctory dividends in the fulure
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