Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-09-05
CHINA'S FORMER WARS
How She Encountered the Europe.
ans and suffered Defeat.

How She Encountered the Europe
ans and suffered Defeat.
New York Herald
The first war between England and
China broke out about the question of
opium. In January, 1871, the ships
of the English feet We're ordered to
attack the Bogue forts, which defend
the river approaches to Canton. The
Chinese troops fought well and Of
fered at some points a stubborn
resistance even at close quarters; but
the forts were carried one after an
other, and either destroyed or occu-
pied. The following demands were
then formulated as representing the
terms on which the English Govern
ment was prepared TO recognize a
satisfactory settlement: The recog-
milton of the King of England as an
independent sovereign, an apology
for the discourteous treatment of
Lord Napier, and the right to trade
with any port where an imperial
custom house was maintained, formed
the chief points But although
Keshen consented to these terms. as
well as to the surrender OF Hong
Kong, it was only with the intention
of gaining time, as his Instructors
from the Emperor Taoukwang did
not allow him to make concessions to
the foreign barbal ians, but urged
him to get rid of them by some stroke
of diplomacy.
Several weeks further delay en-
sued. and in February. 1871, the
remaining forts of the Bogue were
attacked and carried by storm. Kesh-
ea was disgraced and summoned to
Pekin, while, in the following month
the foreign settlement of Canton was
occupied by an English force and the
town placed under the command of
the guns of an English fleet. Even
this discontinue did not destroy the
confidence of the Chinese who forth
with formed fresh plot to annihilate
! the English merchants and their
| defenders. The men ofwar were
compelled to engage and to destroy
| the forts on Shameen, as we'll as
eighty war junks and fire RATS in the
river. The arrival of Sir Hugh
Cough, as COMMANDMENTS Chief, and
of Sir Henry Pettinger, as Minister
PlenipotentIary, was followed by the
dispersion of all the Chinese troops in
the neighborhood of Canton, the put
ting of that city to ransom and the
resumption of negotiations for
definite treaty. Many months of
fnrther delay ensued, and in June,
1912, the scene of action was trans
! ferred from Canton to the Yang-tse-
kiang. At last, on the 29th of Aug,
1912. treaty of peace was concluded
in Nankin, the old capital of the
Mings
The second war arose out of the
seizure of the lorcha Arrow at Can
ton. Admiral Seymour occupied the
river forts without opposition, and
called upon the authorities to make
reparation for the insult to the Eng
lish flag. The Chinese official de-
clined compliance, although the pen
atty of his recalcitrance was the bonn
bardment of the town. But at this
point the hidden dangers of the I'M
dertaking We're unexpectedly made
clear. The Chinese, far from being
cowed, showed the most striking de-
termination, and with each success,
more nominal than real, their courage
revived. Admiral Seymour found
himself compelled to evacuate the po-
sition he had seized, and sent off re-
quest to the Indian government for
| the services of 5000 troops.
The character of the Chinese
as opponents was shown by an
attempt to poison all the foreign resi-
dents at Hong Kong; but, although
this plot was discovered and disap
pointed, months went Ky without the
arrival of the expected troops, in con
sequence of the Indian mutiny, and
| the Chinese remained and felt them
selves masters of the situation. 1t
was not until the end of the year 1857
| that Lord Elgin found himself sup
ported by sufficient force to justify
| his presenting an ultimatum to Yeh.
This move was ACCOMPANIED by an
| advance of the fleet in the direction of
Canton, and by the occupation of the
island of Honan. The French gov
eminent participated in these proceed
ings, and It's representative, Baron
Gros, acted III concert with Lord Ell
gin, while French marines fought side
by side with English blue jackets.
The attack on Canton followed,
and resulted IN the capture of that
city and also of commissioner Yeh,
who was sent at a latter period to
India. But the occupation of Can
I ton produced very little effect on the
central government, which felt itself
secure so long as the foreigners were
kept at distance. Lord Elgin, there
fore, announced his intention to pro
coed to Shanghai, where he would
negotiate with any delegates the En-
peror might appoint, but in the event
of no delegates making their appear
ance he would continue his journey
to the neighborhood of Pekin. The
notification was made 10 the first
minister of the Emperor, who, how
ever, refused to make
any direct reply, and com
pletely ignored the subjects men
toned in Lord Elgin's communica-
ton The English representative was
thus left with no choice save to pro
ceed to the north, but the efficacy of
his proceedings was weakened by
further delay in the arrival of the
Enghsn fleet The confidence of
the Chinese was thereby restored, and
during the interval tt e forts at the
mouth of the Pelno were much
strengthened and their garrisons
strongly reinforced. These forts, |
known IRON the name of village as
Tal1u forts, were eventually attacked |
and captured. In many respects their
construction and armament excited
surprise and admiration, while in
others they were extremely defective
The capture of the Taku forts !
brought the imperial government to
more yielding frame of mind. Two
commissioners were appointed on the |
arrival of the first English vessel at
Tientsin, and after numerous delays
negotiations were begun in as much |
earnest as Chinese regeneration
would allow The treaty of TIentsin
was eventually drawn up and agreed
upon. The principal concessions OBJ
tanned by this Instrument were the
right to have a resident envoy at
Pekin and permission for English |
subjects to travel throughout the EN-
pre Five other ports and the river
Yang tse-kiang were thrown open to
foreign trade. These concessions were
made to apply to all foreigners by sub
sequent treaties with the other pow