THE TREATY WITH CHINA

ITS PROVISIONS EXPLAINED

New York Tribune, Tuesday, August 28, 1868

Every one has read the treaty which has just been concluded between

the United States and China. Everyone has read it, but in it there are

expressions which not every one understands. There are clauses which

seem vague, other clauses which seem almost unnecessary, and still

others which bear the flavor of "surplusage," to speak in legal

phrase. The most careful reading of the document will leave these

impressions--that is, unless one comprehends the past and present

condition of foreign intercourse with China--in which case it will be

seen at once that there is no word in the treaty without a meaning,

and no clause in it but was dictated by a present need or a wise policy

looking to the future. It will interest many of your readers to know why

this, that, and the other provision was incorporated in the treaty;

it will interest others to know in what manner and to what extent the

treaty will affect our existing relations with China. Apart from its

grave importance, the subject is really as entertaining as any I know

of and--asking pardon for the presumption--I desire to write a

few paragraphs upon it. We made a treaty with China in 1858; Mr.

Burlingame's new treaty is an addition to that one, and an amplification

The Treaty With China