THE CHINESE PUZZLE—REVENGE OR PUNISHMENT.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:] SIR,—I am afraid the Chinese horrors have taken away from most European (and American) onlookers the power of judg- ing a situation which has no parallel in the world's history. These shrieks for revenge, whether from a German Emperor or an able editor, are worth about as much in the matter as the screaming of angry parrots. The question is this,—What has Europe to face ? Is it a mere Manchu party and a popu- lace, or is it the Chinese nation,—three hundred millions of men, fearing neither death nor pain—the only race in the whole world in which men are found who will sell themselves to torture—the only race in which the most wicked men will face death with joy, believing that it will only add to their means of doing mischief ? If the latter, all the power that Europe (with Japan) can bring to bear will not put down the Chinese, and Abbe Huc's speculation as to the possibility of a great Chinese invasion of the West may yet be realised. It seems to me essential that the Powers allied against the present uprising should not act as enemies to China, but simply to the present Chinese Government. I see no proof that the young Emperor has lost his life, and his name, above all, should be the one in which action should be taken. If he be dead, there must be some other member of the present or of any earlier dynasty who can be put forward. The next step should be, in the Emperor's or selected Prince's name, to seize the Chinese customs, the duties from which represent the clearest [part of the Chinese revenues, and which are throughout administered by Europeans. Even after Sir Robert Hart's death the service numbers several experienced seniors in its ranks. By some such steps the action of the now dominant party would be largely paralysed, and it would
be hindered from identifying itself with the Chinese nation. But the word " revenge " must be blotted out of the European vocabulary as towards china, and just punishment of actual wrong-doers alone viewed and held out as the aim of the allied Powers.—I am, Sir, &c., J. M. L.
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