THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3365, 16 January 1884, Page 3

THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

If there is any European who has perfect knowlege of Asiatic character combined with absolute freedom from traditional prejudices and worldly interests it is “Chinese” Gordon, In a letter written from Jaffa and addressed to the Herald," General Gordon states that the alien and hated Tartar dynasty that since the seventeenth century has ruled over China—a dynasty, moreover, that General Gordon himself saved from ruin—is, in the event of war, menaced with almost certain destruction. The fall of this dynasty is fraught with the most important consequences, one of which, strange as it may at first sight seem—would be to change the whole aspect of the political affairs of Europe. Pekin—situated within a week’s march of the Russian frontier, accessible to England by the Taku forts and liable to be starved out by any enemy in command of the sea and the Grand Canal—is the most vulnerable inland city in the

Empire. Should war break out, the Emperor—whom General Gordon very appropriately calls the “ Queen Bee would be forced to choose one of two evils. If he wishes to avoid being captured by the enemy, he must go to Central China, where he would be sure to be extinguished by his own subjects. If he wishes to avoid this fate he must remain in Pekin, where his dynasty would perish by the sword of the conqueror. So that the Imperial Tartar, no matter which way he turns, is sure to catch one of his own countrymen.

Since the great Taeping rebellion inspired by Tien Wang, who proclaimed himself Son of God and younger brother of Jesus Christ, was crushed by General Gordon, the usurping Mantehou dynasty owes its existence to the fact that only a limited portion of the army has been entrusted with arms of precision. These favored troops are mostly Tartars, and form part of the Banner Army, called the Hian-Ki-Ying. They are the only corps which can claim to be considered an army. Were rifles and ammunition served out to the Yuh-Ying—forces of the Green Standard or territorial array—or ,to masses of the population, they would be sure to march to Pekin and put an end to the detested Mantehou dynasty. Hence it is that the real strength of China—her innumerable population—can never be available so long as the Mantchous remain on the throne. The removal of the present dynasty together with its Swiss Guard, the Hiau-Ki-Ying, would be the first move toward the renaissance of China.—“ New York Herald.”