Enclosure.
FRANCE AND CHINA.
PROTEST AGAINST THE PRE-
LIMINARY TREATY.
A Memorial is respectfully presented by cer- tain Censors and other offers to Their Imperial Majesties, protesting against the Convention recently concluded between Li Hung-chang and Captain Fournier. The Memorialists are of opinion that the French are ambitious and cherish deep designs, and they therefore pray Their Majesties to order the Viceroys to make diligent preparation for war and for the defence of the coasts, so that China may not be duped by the wily schemes of France. On the 6th of the present moon, the Memorialists reverentially pornsed a Decree to the effect that the affairs of Annam were more pressing than ever, and commanding the officials of the seaboard pro- vinces to prepare for the worst, further, that a telegram had been received from Li Hang. chang announcing that the French captain. Fournier, had instructed the Commissioner of Customs, Detring, to prosent a letter anthoris- ing him to mediate between the two Govern- ments, so as to protect the territory and re- store peace to the inhabitants; adding, that such a proposal was worthy of consideration, and that the officers of the Government should carefully think over and deliberate : upon it. Now the Memorialists, glancing up- ward, see, that Their Majesties are ponder- ing over the situation, and making investigation into the minatest particulars; bow, then, in such troublous times, can Memorialiste dare to delude the minds of Their Majesties with high-flown arguments? But, on carefully reading over the Memorial of La Hung-chaug, and discovering in it a clause to the effect that his "dull mind does not fully grasp [the situation]," Memorialists make bold to point out that, to advise a State, the circumstances which prevail must be taken into consideration, and to ensure victory the strength of the foe must be carefully looked into; for unless one can distinguish truth from false- hood, one can scarcely avoid falling into the on- amy's toils. The Fronoh, having taken Shan Hsi, captured Bacnink, and stormed T'ai-yuen, schieved complete success in ten days, being vic- torious in every engagement; they have indeed shown themselves fall of prowess. But is it rea- sonable for them to treat for peace after having carried Bacninh, instead of having done so be- fore the capture of Shan Hsi Again: Detring is only a petty French official, and Fournier no. thing more than a common officer in the French navy; noither of them has proper credentials from his Government, nor has either the title of plenipotentiary. Their scheme is to take advan- tage of the recent defeat of the Chinese forces to propose some baseless arrangement, under cover of which to find out whether the Government is prepared to oppose them or not. If the Govern- ment yields readily, then they will increase their demands without losing a single soldier, and get all they hunger for without wasting any more provisions; while, if the Government refuses to listen to their proposals, they will begin to sue! for peace. Now Memorialists hear that, though the French have been victorious in their engage- ments, their pecuniary resources are crippled to a far greater extent than ours; Pei Chi is but newly settled, and the people are not yet tran quillised; how then, are we to know that they are not really in fear of our increasing our troops, and that for this reason they now come to us with their proposals? Further; does Li Hong- chang think that the Treaties be makes are to be relied upon? Since China commenced her in. tercourse with foreign nations, and entered into Treaty relations with them, demands and threats |
have
If we are
have been made upon us every year. powerful, then the Treaties may be depended apon- d., the foreigners will not dare to break them; but if we are weak, the Treaties are a dead letter. Now although Li Hung- chang has quoted Detring as saying that all demands for an indemnity would be waived, he (Li) yet feared, at the same time, that, France being a powerful nation, there might be anta- gonistic factions in the Chamber of Deputies, and that some depraved and malicious members of it might oppose the Preliminary Treaty and demand of us more than we could give. From this Memorialists concluded that Li Hung- chang can give no assurance whatever that the arrangements he has made will be carried out; and till this point is settled, what use is thore in speaking of any other? Li Hung-chang has also asserted that the prestige of China remains unimpaired, and that future troubles may be avoided. This sounds vastly well, indeed. But Anuam, which has been our vassal for over two hundred years, is handed over to another country; where, then, is the prestige of China? Even were we to recover Shan Hsi aud Bacninh, unless we exercised extra diligence in defending them, though the frontier line were distinctly marked, we have yet no position that it would be an advantage to us to hold; how, then, does Li propose to secure the provinces of Yin- Dan and Kuangsi? Considering the circum- stances of the time-our soldiery worn out and our resources exhausted-we ought by rights to protect cur own territory and rest the people, and Their Majesties will not find it difficult to be guided by such con siderations. Still, ancient history shows only too well that never was peace made between two antagonistio countries without first going to war; and, as a fact, no peace oyer can be made without previously resorting to arms. Now although I Hung-ohang has been training our armies for more than twenty years, lie yet does not consider it disgraceful to lose territory and permit the defeat of our soldiers; but, emerging from the fields, he pretends to keep an eye on events, to measure the strength (of the forces), to assume responsibilities, and to wait for op- portunities, so as to screen his guilt in having blundered in the affairs of State. Memorialisti deplore with pain the existence of such things, and feel themselves under an obligation to speak of them. According to the views of Mono- rialists, Li Hung-chang, holding as he does so much territory under his control, and armed with such high powers and responsibility, ought to coramand all the armies in person, and make vigo- rous preparations for defence. Even then, in case the French should show signs of repentance and a desire for peace, the actual truth must be got at before negotiations are commenced. No plausible, groundless propositions should be pre- sented for Their Majesties' consideration. Memo- rialists would therefore pray Their Majos- ties to command Li Hung-chang to deliberate upon his own memorial as to the Treaty articles. defining boundaries, opening tralal facilities and so on which should be assented to, and which rejected whether the indemnity demand is really to be waived--whether the proposals of Fournier and Detring are really official, &c.. &.. and report distinctly upon each hend. As re- gards Li's remark about the prestige of China being unimpaired, and there being no troubles in future. Memorialists beg their Majesties to ask Li whether he is able to substantiate his as sertions. Supposing the Government is really able to protect our territory and tranquillise the people without entering on a war; still, if the reverse should prove to be the case, and troubles should arise, will the Viceroy be willing to as- sume all responsiblities? Temorististe further most humbly beg Their Majesties to order the provincial Governors to keep up a vigilant de- į fence of the frontiers and sea-coasts, thus giving the French on the one hand a chance for peace and showing them on the other that we are pre- parod for war. By this means we shall avoid haste and all unnecessary troubles when the fight begins, and also be on our guard against whatever troops the French may bring against us.-A respectful Memorial.
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