The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-06-26

would be distinguished anywhere for
their rank dignity. and gentlemanly bear
ing. Sieh's rank was that OF provincial
governor. He spoke the English language
fiuently had been TOu-Ti at Shanghai.
and ii was reported Of him that he was
one Of the most successful diplomatic pre-
varicators in China
AT the time these treaties were made, IN
1888, there were 10 distractions whatever
at the mouth Of the river nor were there
any objections TO the English gunboats
passing in and out the river. as the writer
knows from personal observation, having
made trip TO and from Tientsin in one
of their gUnboats
In l359 the representatives Of England
France, and the United States had re-
turned 70 China with their treaties rati-
fled and ready for exchange, and were or
board their respective ships in the Gulf OF
Petchelh, arranging preliminaries for the
trip to Pekin.
Failure of the Treaty.
During the year that elapsed from the
date Of their departure. in 1858. until their
return IT. 1859, the entrance 10 the Pie-Hc
had been fortified by the construction of
several forts and by every possible OBJ
strUctiOn known n military engineering
Mr.. Bruce. the English Minister, made
application in due form to the Chinese au-
thoTities for permission to pass up the
Pie-Ho en- route TO Pekin with the treaty.
He was informed that he could not pass
that way. but that there was another
river farther north. Having failed and
returned TO the squadron, he advised Sir
Admiral Hope of the fact anG requested
|. H.
order that he might pass up the river. In
essay:ng TO do this the results followed as
stated above i. G., the repulse of the Eng
lish squadron.
The success Of the Cinnamon and the
withdrawal of the English forces left our
Minister Mr. Ward, somewhat confused
as to his course, especially as il was in
timated that ii would be dangerous for
Kim to attempt TO visit Pekin at that time.
Ii few days, however. he received as
suraGce that ample arrangements would
be made for his visit to Pekin
In due time two officials called on Mr.
Ward. and informed him that he would
receive the Emperor's "hein-fung'' (com-
plete prosperity edict, stating that he
could proceed to Pekin, his suite consist
ing Of fourteen officers. interpreter, and
servants, and there await the arrival of
Kwellang.
On the morning Of July %. 1859, the first
American Embassy TO the Chinese cap
ital left Peh-Tang in what they called
chariOts. I was a member Of the escort.
With the aid Of "chariOts" and ''junks'
We reached Pekin in seven days after
leaving Peh-Tang. where we remained
until the l1th Of August on which date
we left on our return to the squadron
having failed in exchange Of the treaty
al Pekin on account Of our Minister re-
fusing TO perform the Sumiliating 'ko-
tau" before the Emperor.
Americas Minister Refused.
When in position. kneeIing before the
Emperor. YOU are supposed to strike your
head nine times on the floor.
This was the humiliating position that
Sieh demanded Of the American Minis
ter before an exchange OF treaties could
be had: in other words, before his males
" could be addressed by the representa-
tive Of the United States.
With all Of Sieh's cunning he had
utterly failed 10 understand the character
Of the man with whom he was dealing or
the country he represented.
One year later the English returned to
China. thrashed the Chinese. marched 10
Pekin, dictated terms Of peace. and re-
tired.
BY an unfortunate accident a library
was burned al the capital containing
records Of many hundred years Of Chi
nese history. VIM II. SHOCK,
Commodore, L. s. Navy, Retired.