RUSSIA AND CHINA.

Kumara Times, Issue 1115, 27 April 1880, Page 4

RUSSIA AND CHINA.

A Pekin correspondent of the Shanghai News, writing on Feb. 2, says :—“ The interest here at present centres in Chang How. He has been arrested, stripped of honors and titles and lodged in the Board of Punishment, and all for what ? Returning from St. Petersburg without permission. This is the technical ground of the charge, and with such a punctilious people it is of course natural to punish offences against official etiquette. Bat this style of (treatment is out of all proportion to the offence. JThe degradation is great In name, and to those who know what Chinese prisons are, and in spite of His Excellency’s ability to pay a good bribe for extra comforts, it must |be still worse in reality. What makes the whole thing look so farcical is that the ambassador had been carrying out the wishes of the Government, and every step was no doubt taken after the fullest consultation. He is a man in high position and well connected, and it is impossible that they can proceed, as is supposed, to worse measures in regard to him. It is more than likely that it is directed entirely against Russia and the Kuldja treaty, which his Excellency negotiated. That treaty cannot be palatable to China. She too, as well as Russia, wants her northwest scientific frontier; and the portion of Hi which Russia has retained, although wild, barren and mountainous, is still strategetically highly important. It is the highway to Kashgar. The action of the high commission directed against the ambassador is really against Russia, and a clear expression of anti-foreign policy. We wait with anxiety to see the further development of the case. Russia will of course be delighted. A very strong party in that country has been opposed to (he cession of the Province to China. If diplomacy with the aid i f more money cannot settle the differences, then there Is the last resort, and what the result of that will be no one can foreknow. “ The Pekin correspondent of the Shanghai Mercury, writing on February 18, observes :—The Chinese have raised the tomahawk, and are earnestly prepared to show us that they are about going on the war-path. The questions now arising they deem so important that for the moment they will even pocket the slap in the face, Young Japan gave them, about the far-off ocean isles, the little Loo-Choos. Oh’ung How has returned, and at once fell into disgrace, because, as is said he left his post without leave. A special Board has already passed sentence on him—that he is to be handed over to the Board of Punishments, which implies his degradation to the rank of common soldier (for he is a bannerman), and temporary or even permanent banishment to Hen-loong Kiang (the Amoor river), or even losing his head. (Information since received by cable states that he hvs been executed). Oh’ung flow is rich, and of 'course his wealth would under these circumstances be confiscated ; and all this because he left his post without leave. He completed his mission, made a treaty with Russia, got the signature at Livadia of the omnipotent Czar, ruler of all the Russias, just when glory and pride shown upon his throne after the victorious conclusion of the late war with Turkey ; and to the credit of all this Ch’ung How was fully entitled, since it was notified to our Legations that he was something more than the other chin chias (Ministers); he was to be chvmen chuen (plenipotentiary). China then insisted upon the restoration of Kuldja, for which they were prepared to give a pecuniary indemnity to Russia, and some trade privileges besides. Sir T. Wade was then at home on leave, and the chance was again lost for England having an alley against Russia, when China was contemplating asking the assistance of England. The leaf has turned again to China, the Manchurian conquests in the last century, the results of the glorious campaigns of Kang-hi, were lost in ihe last two decades by the rebellion of the dungans, by mandaring oppression, by the imbecility of the central Government, and by outrages of the cowardly Chinese militia. Tso Kung-pao has beaten Yakoobßeg, whosedescendants, although beautiful, and notwithstanding memorials from London to the contrary, will not escape the most infamous mutilation. Tso Kung-pao, after twelve years war after the fearufl massacres of Hami and Manas, subjugated the country this side of Hi, and his victorious career was only stopped by a few sotnias of Cossacks on the yonder border of Hi. Kuldja had to be restored. Ch’ung How restored Kuldja to China, Our Ministers are taxing their brains to find ways and means to get a copy of the Kuldja treaty, of which only a few paragraphs were published, and those the most insignificant. Wbat I think the Chinese object to is the Russian veto' upon the occupation by China of Yarkand and Khoten ; the Russian veto upon the surrender of Kuli Beg and his adherents ; the opening of a regular trade between Kuldja and Hankow ; the establishment of consulates in the chief places of this route ; perhaps also some other important questions of which I cannot guess.