Recent occurrences, however, compel a modification of this view. While the
high officials of the empire are not more ready than before to take an
attitude or to hold language of pronounced friendliness to foreigners, they
are certainly more inclined to advocate the adoption, solely in the interest
of China, of foreign ways and appliances. This is strikingly illustrated by
the result of the Foo-chow-Amoy telegraph difficulty, China becoming, by the
direct act of the Tsung li Yamen and the throne, the owner of a line of
land-wires, subsequently extending that purchase to include the
Pagoda-Anchorage line, and designating Shen Pao Chen as director-general of
telegraphs. Then, immediately after the inauguration of the present reign,
an extraordinary council of high officials was held, as I advised the
Department in my No. 43, at which various propositions of a progressive
nature were discussed, with what effect we are beginning now to learn. I
have only recently ascertained that one of these propositions was to
establish diplomatic and consular representation abroad, and that it was
favorably reported to the throne, which has since directed that it be
carried into effect.
In full confirmation of this important statement, I send herewith a
translation of a document embodying memorials addressed to the Emperor by Li
Hung Chang, viceroy of Chihli; Wang, governor of Fuhkien; Ying, viceroy of
Kwangtung and Kwangsi; Yin, governor of An Huei; Li, late superintendent of
trade for the southern ports; Ting, governor of Shantung; Prince Li, and
others of the council, and the ministers of the Tsung li Yamen, who called
the council but were not members of it.
The viceroys and governors, whose names appear as the original memorialists,
are all officials of the seaboard provinces, who have been for many years in
more or less intimate association with foreigners at the ports, witnesses of
foreign methods and inventions, and advocates, however cautiously and
timidly, of their adoption to some extent for the use of China. Their
experience led them to the conclusion that stubborn rejection of these
things could not be maintained without loss or danger to the empire.
Probably also they have learned to think better of the foreigner per se, and to desire the establishment of more
cordial relations. At least they have realized how inconvenient it is for
their country, while receiving a large body of ministers and consuls from
abroad, who subject her to a constant, sharp criticism before the world, to
have no representatives of her own who can speak for and defend her. As
Governor Wang says, “We [the Chinese] have been like men thinking to see
with their faces set against a solid wall, and to hear with covered ears.”
And Li Hung Chang, a leading spirit in this matter, observes with equal
frankness and point, “Foreign powers having commercial relations appoint
ministers abroad, and thus they strengthen friendship; but China, even with
the nearest, has nothing to do, which is certainly not the path to continued
progress.”
All the memorialists show an equally clear apprehension of the disadvantage
to which China puts herself in her relation with foreigners by refusing
reciprocity of diplomatic intercourse.
The ministers of the Tsungli Yamen must have realized this keenly, and hence
the readiness with which they second the request of the provincial magnates.
As, however, none of them but Chung How have been abroad, or resided at an
open port, they do not so well realize the necessity of imitating other ways
of foreigners.
It will be observed that Li Hung Chang, Ying, and Wang wish to make fitness
for a special service, and not mere rank or literary proficiency, a standard
of official preferment. They especially advise the selection of men
qualified in foreign affairs and arts, and familiar with foreign ways, for
those branches of the service which bring Chinese officials most in contact
with foreigners. They would “open a path for the employment of men skilled
in foreign matters,” would “broaden the path” of preferment by admitting
this class of men to competition with the literary graduates, and would have
a school of foreign arts established in each province, the graduates of
which shall be appointed to positions in the public service according to
special fitness. The ministers of the Tsungli Yamen state that Li Hung Chang
and Shen pao Chen, (the latter lately appointed southern superintendent of
trade,) “desire to establish schools of foreign arts, and a special board of
examination in addition to, and not in place of, the present [literary]
examinations.” These are revolutionary propositions, and their practical
operation would be more radical in its tendency than anything yet proposed
[Page 378]
by Chinese for the benefit of
their country. Hence, the Tsungli Yamen, while they do not oppose the plan,
and even speak of its necessity as the best means of supplying a body of
native officials competent to conduct business with foreigners, defer action
upon it, saying they must first plan for the present, that is, for the early
appointment of ministers and consuls. That they should commend such a plan
to the throne, with an evident desire to see it carried out presently, and
even take issue with Prince Li in its behalf, as a thing essential to the
continued supply of good diplomatic material, are very significant and
encouraging facts. The old system of literary instruction, i e., laborious cram of canonical books, having little if any
bearing on the practical affairs of life, is seen to be inadequate to the
needs of China in her dealings with the outside world, and as the outside
world cannot be got rid of, it must be met on a more equal footing.
The literary class will naturally oppose what promises in any degree-to
lessen their importance; but I have no doubt the government will at no
distant day carry into effect the admirable plan it has already so frankly
and favorably considered, and when it does we will find the ordinary motives
of human action inciting the literary class to the study of foreign arts and
sciences, as a means of broadening their opportunity to get into the public
service. Heretofore, Chinese educated abroad of at home, in foreign
knowledge, have not on that account stood any better chance of promotion;
indeed, they seem rather to have been neglected, if not to have lost caste.
But it is manifest from the language of the memorialists that the day is
near when they will be in special request, and when a most influential
career will be open to the Chinese sent to the United States for education,
as to those who may have elsewhere or in other ways acquired foreign
learning and experience.
I need not call attention to the liberal and intelligent character of the
commentary of the Tsungli Yamun on the memorials transmitted to the throne.
It speaks for itself, and evinces a sincere desire to promote-more
advantageous and harmonious relations with the treaty-powers.
There is a remarkable significance in the following words: “This year the
minds of our best scholars have been upon current events, and little by
little they are coming to examine them, not being as heretofore so
exceedingly unconcerned.” Their usual conservatism is indicated by the care
they take to show that the proposed appointment of foreign embassies is not
without a precedent. The whole matter assumes a practical shape when they
give the names of nine persons who have been reported to them by the various
viceroys and governors a& worthy of representing China abroad, and
request that the list may be enlarged by the addition of “such [persons] as
are suitable,” “irrespective of rank;” the whole list to be handed to His
Majesty for selection at the time of making the appointments.
The anxiety of the ministers to have a sufficiency of good names proposed is
notable. The active duty of the selection will doubtless fall on
themselves.
I think it is evident from the foregoing that China is passing from the stage
of obstinate resistance to that of tentative adoption with reference to
foreign matters. It is also evident that the initiative of the new movement
comes from those officials of the seaboard provinces who have been
enlightened by more familiar contact with foreigners, and by their
opportunities to observe the value of foreign arts and ways in certain
particulars. The growing influence of these officials with the central
government is manifest. Some of them discuss the subjects considered with
much ability. Wang’s memorial is the most full and
[Page 379]
intelligently reasoned, and shows that his mind grasps
the real needs of the situation, and is inspired by statesman-like ideas. He
makes a good point in urging the necessity of China being represented abroad
as a means for the better protection of her subjects in foreign countries.
This is an argument that I have myself addressed to Li Hung Chang and the
ministers of the Yamen on several occasions.* * * *
There will probably be no public notification of the intention of the
government to send ministers and consuls abroad until they are actually
appointed.
[Inclosure in No.
78.—Translation.]
Memorials to the Emperor of China on representation
abroad, &c.
December 12, 1874, Li, viceroy of Chihli, and superintendent of trade for
the northern ports, memorialized as follows:
If the regulations are not somewhat modified, so as to open a path for
the employment of men skilled in foreign matters, to the end that
eventually all men may understand them in the future, having the most
complete schemes, yet in a few decades men will be lacking in this
department; while existing in name they will really be ignorant, and
will gradually fall back and lose all their knowledge.
December 12, 1874, Ying, viceroy of the two Kwung, and Yü, governor of An
Huy, memorialized, submitting a project for the imperial approval as
follows: The high officials at the capital and in the provinces, and the
viceroys and governors, be directed constantly, when they discover a
suitable person, to report him to the Emperor—in the capital, from the
subordinate officials in the boards: in the provinces, from the civil
and military officials, great and small, no matter how he obtained
office nor his present rank, only let him in ability be above the
average, and absolutely reliable, and let the ability of each be
separately reported. The man who understands military matters, let him
be appointed to command in that department; the man who is skilled in
commercial affairs, let him receive an appointment in the
customs-revenue; he who is familiar with foreign ways, or understands
foreign machinery, and has undoubted ability, let him undertake these
important and difficult affairs. We request the government to promote
them for the emulation of all grades.
December 20, 1874, Wang, governor of Fuhkien, memorialized as
follows:
In the matter of the employment of men (as officials) there is a saying,
“That in ten years there will be a tree, and in a hundred years a man”
Whether in transacting business incompetent men are to be used, or in
common matters before the arrival of difficulties, men better be
prepared; a comparison of these two plans will show which is the better.
The establishment of examinations and the selection of scholars has been
the established plan; but at this time, when relief is needed, we ought
to use ability without regard to acquired rank, and to fix a plan for
utilizing and recasting the knowledge of our people, and broaden the
path to official service, that all men can know and walk in it, to
incite them to greater progress. Hereafter, in literary studies, let
them not attend exclusively to composition and poetry; and those in the
military life not seek alone skill in drawing the bow, using the sword,
and in trials of strength. If this is acceptable, I entreat His Majesty
to direct the viceroys and governors of each province to establish in
each a school of arts; and all who have special ability in strategy or
are remarkable for great skill, who understand astronomy or are
proficient in geography, from all the various departments of the
province, be reported at this school for examination at the proper time.
In case their ability is according to their reputation, let them be
reported to Your Majesty for promotion and service. If one has any
special talent, whether of strength greater than other men, or of skill
in constructing machinery, or of understanding foreign languages,
(spoken and written,) let him be sent to the arsenals or to the customs
to study arms or revenue-laws. No matter how great a preparation of
skilled service is thus made, for then we shall be in no danger of
suffering for lack of it.
Regarding the appointment of ministers abroad: All treaty-powers have
ministers appointed to the capital and consuls to the various open
ports, with the simple wish to cement friendship with China, and to
become acquainted with the affairs of our country. They have come
hither, but none have gone to them. We have been like men thinking to
see with their faces set against a solid wall, and to hear with covered
ears. I entreat His Majesty to appoint two representatives, one minister
and one secretary, to
[Page 380]
each
government, either from the capital or from the provinces, selecting
persons of ability and power, who have wisdom, courage, and strength,
and to give them high rank and large salary, to reside at that court. If
now in office, their present positions need not be filled by others, but
let them be exchanged once in two years, for the satisfactory management
of amicable relations with foreign nations. The affairs of each nation
should be reported at the time of their occurrence, to the end that our
eyes and ears may be quickened, and that there be no division dine or
barrier of separation between China and foreign nations.
If this meets the approbation of His Majesty, let the prince and
ministers of the Tsungli Yamen consider and devise plans for the
appropriation from the funds of the customs of the necessary expenses,
and report to the proper board for action.
Concerning plans for the protection of Chinese merchants and Chinese
emigrants abroad, I have heard that in Siam there are between 200,000
and 300,000 Chinese; in Lin Sung, between 20,000 and 30,000; in
Singapore, above 10,000; in Manila, some 80,000 or 90,000; in America
and Australia, about 200,000 or 300,000; in Japan, not less than 10,000.
This includes all merchants and laborers. If, in addition to sending
ministers, men of ability be chosen and sent to these various parts, as
consuls are sent by foreign governments, it will be a satisfactory mode
of dealing. In important matters the minister should still make
investigation, and adjust; but all mercantile and commercial questions
these consuls could settle, and afford the necessary protection.
Injustice to merchants should be remedied by the consul, but the
merchant’s profits are nothing to him.
The Chinese abroad—who would not employ them for China?
If among them are men of ability, let them be returned to China and
furnished with official duties and rewards, and a plan devised to
stimulate them to greater efforts, and thus stir up a spirit of
emulation and rivalry (for good) among Chinese abroad. If the Chinese
who have pecuniary means learn that there are Chinese officials abroad
who will protect them, the great tea and silk firms will be encouraged
to take their merchandise thither themselves, and the natural resources
of China will continually increase.
December 20, 1874, Li, viceroy of Chihli, and superintendent of trade for
the northern ports, memorialized the throne as follows: Foreign powers
having commercial relations appoint ministers abroad, and thus they
strengthen friendship; but China, seven with the nearest, has nothing to
do, which is certainly not the path to continued progress. In 1871,
Japan made with us her first treaty. “Tseng quo fan” and the writer, at
that time, memorialized, asking that, after the making of this treaty, a
minister might be sent to Japan to have charge of our people, and
strengthen the friendship, and that there might be no further delay.
The memorialist entreats the Emperor to instruct the prince and ministers
of the Tsungli Yamen to choose a person of the third or fourth rank,
acquainted with foreign affairs and experienced in business, from the
Yamens at the capital, and I entreat His Majesty to give the person so
selected increased rank, and appoint him to Japan. It is stated that at
Nagasaki, Hiogo, Yokohama, and other ports there are about 10,000
Chinese merchants, and we cannot ignore them. After the arrival of this
minister at his just, plans must be devised for the appointment of a
consul-general and consuls for the several ports to attend to commerce
for the assistance of the government.
And not only to Japan, but also to all the western great powers,
ministers ought certainly to be accredited, to reside at those courts in
rotation,* and to have high
rank, large salaries, and a fixed term of service, in order to a
thorough mutual understanding.
There are international matters between these powers and China which
cannot be adjusted, or there are clauses in the treaties already made
which are unsatisfactory, and thus direct communication to and fro could
be secured. These points can be discussed and examined, and without
delay there can be conference and adjustment, and so the best interests
of commerce will be secured.
December 20, 1874. Li, superintendent of trade for the southern ports,
and viceroy of the two Kiang, memorialized as below: It appears from
examination of the geography of the earth, and from an inspection of the
degrees in the heavens, that the various Western nations are distant
from China many tens of thousands of li,† and at the various
treaty-ports foreigners are scattered about in clusters everywhere.
The affairs of China, there are none of them who do not thoroughly
understand, but the affairs of their countries China does not fully
comprehend. Since the appointment of Pin Chun, Chih Rang, and Sun Chia
Ku to go abroad, none others have been sent.
It appears to me that the selection of intelligent persons versed in
foreign matters, and the dispatching them as ministers, at suitable
times, to the various foreign powers, to discuss commercial questions
which are open to discussion; to examine and
[Page 381]
purchase, at proper times, new inventions and
valuable apparatus of those countries,, and to invite skilled artisans
to come to China, would be valuable. At present the various foreign
powers are all in commercial relations with China and without suspicion
on either side, a circumstance which heretofore could certainly never
have been. The limits of China are exceeding great, and from generation
to generation brings-forth human skill; there has been no lack of great
and talented scholars. Let there be a selection from these, and it will
be for the advantage of foreign interests.
May 17, 1875, Ting, governor of Shantung, forwarded a memorial of Hueh fu
Cheng to the following effect:
1. The collection of skilled men in advance is advantageous.
From the commencement of intercourse with foreign nations to the present,
the great scholars of China have had fixed notions of what constituted
great learning; have talked large and high-toned, and have looked down
upon foreign ideas as unwilling to mention them. On the occurrence of
any business, they have had no idea how to act. Another class profess to
understand foreign business, but aside from ability to interpret, or
skill in trading, lust, and cupidity, they know nothing. Hence the
obtaining genuine men of skill is difficult. It is now desired to
stimulate the energy of men, and it is necessary to cause men of native
intellect, ability, and talent to study with the utmost care now, and
hereafter the end will be gained.
Formerly Wu ti, of the Han dynasty, directed the reporting of men of
great skill and unusual ability to be made military generals, cabinet
ministers, and to go abroad as envoys. It appears that this plan, at the
present time, would be valuable, and in addition, the establishment of
an additional “board of examination,” directing the high officials at
the capital and in the provinces to report the names of suitable
persons, without regard to any fixed number.
If, in the list of those recently passed to the third grade, or the
second grade, or among the honor-men of the first grade, are those who
understand foreign affairs, permit the high officials to report them as
students, after the fashion of students in the department of rivers, and
to classify them according to their ability. The employment of them to
be after the following manner: those who have abundant courage,, wisdom,
and ability and conversational gifts may go abroad as ministers; those
who are well acquainted with the treaties can maintain them, and are not
covetous, may enter the customs; those who have ability, experience, and
understanding, and are upright and inflexible, may become officials in
the various departments bordering on the sea. These classes being early
sought out, in time of using them there will be no deficiency. These
great scholars and officials becoming skilled in foreign matters by what
they see and hear, will be able in turn to modify the notions and
customs of the people, and will not talk idle emptiness. The road to
merit and fame being thus open, men of unusual virtue and ability will
appear.
April 3, 1875, Prince Li and others, in council, memorialize that the
plans of Li Hung Chang and others, submitted in the foregoing memorials
for appointing ministers to reside in Japan and at the various western
courts, are all feasible, and we request His Majesty to direct the
Tsungli Yamen to take into consideration the facts, and report a plan
for carrying the proposal into effect.
May 30, 1875, this Yamen memorialized as follows:
Li Hung Chang has requested the establishment of schools of foreign arts,
and Shen-pao-Chen the establishment of a special board of examination.
Prince Li, in a memorial, together with the Seventh Prince, do not
mention these requests.
But the plans of Li Hung Chang and others for appointing envoys to reside
in Japan and the various western countries are reported in the memorial
of Prince Li as practicable. The idea of Prince Li and his associates is
that the deputing of foreign ministers is one thing, and the
establishment of schools of foreign arts and a special board of
examination is quite another. They do not know that to desire to do this
and not to seek the skill for doing it, but to say to one’s self we
already have this ability, and so not especially to seek the very best,
is to make the practicable impracticable. Li Hung Chang, Shen-pao-Chen,
and others, desire, after the manner of the edict in the Han dynasty,
which prepared men of skill and ability to go as envoys to distant
parts, and as in the Lung dynasty, Sz-ma-Kwang, planned to establish ten
examining boards, so they desire to establish schools of foreign arts
and a special board of examination, in addition to and not in place of
the present examinations,, and not to change the existing examinations
into foreign schools. And, in the matter of appointing ministers abroad,
suitable persons, must first be selected, and without schools of foreign
arts for their instruction and an examination board for determining who
are prepared, there is no satisfactory way of obtaining able foreign
envoys like those sent abroad.
This business must be accomplished by degrees. At the present time and in
existing circumstances the schools of foreign arts and the special board
of examination cannot at once be established. We must first plan for the
present; and we must request His Majesty to direct the superintendents
of trade for the northern and southern ports, Shen-pao-Chen and others,
to report the names of all suitable persons, irrespective
[Page 382]
of their rank, stating
carefully the particular ability of each official and the ground of his
fitness for the position of minister. In addition, let all the various
viceroys and governors, and the high officials at the imperial court, if
they know any suitable persons, not fail to report them, in order that
His Majesty may appoint them to reside abroad and attend to his
interests.
In future, the ministers at the various foreign courts will have manifest
results for good, and the officials of all grades, at the capital and in
the provinces, will see the advantage to the government, and
consequently the matter of schools of foreign arts and a special board
of examination will meet the views of all; there will be no diverse
opinions to meet.
June 17, 1875, this Yamen memorialized as below: Heretofore the
management of foreign relations has not met the requirements of
circumstances, because a clear understanding of the nature of these
relations has not been attained. In the present memorials, the
appointment of envoys to friendly powers is held to be of exceeding
importance. In our own internal affairs men of skill can alone transact
business; there is no business and no time in which persons of ability
need not be chosen; but in an envoy abroad it is of exceeding
importance.
From ancient times, in the selection of an envoy abroad, none less than
the best was at the time chosen. Thus Fu-pi, Su Chê, and others of the
Sung dynasty, officials of great reputation and high scholarship, were
appointed to this office. In our own dynasty, in the time of Kang-hi, a
minister was sent to Russia, since the friendly relations of the two
governments, if there were no diplomatic intercourse between the two,
would have been interrupted; and we ought, in the selection, all the
more to obtain able men. Hence the selection and preparation of men of
ability and intelligence, in order that the will of the Emperor, in all
parts, may not meet with ridicule, is certainly no small object. This
year the minds of our best scholars have been upon current events, and
little by little they are coming to examine them, not being as
heretofore so exceedingly unconcerned.
But present affairs are exceedingly difficult, and each day become more
so; the international matters are of the gravest importance, and
officials of all grades ought to take these difficulties to heart, and
with the utmost care examine them.
If all the high officials at the capital and in the provinces can come to
understand plainly our common condition, then in matters of
international character the present difficulties can be managed, the men
of skill to go abroad can be found, they will gradually be secured, and
there will be no detriment to public interests.
This Yamen, upon the 30th of May, memorialized in reply, requesting the
Emperor, in the matter of the princes consenting to the appointment of
ministers abroad, that His Majesty command the high officials at the
capital and in the provinces to report the names of suitable persons,
and His Majesty consented. In addition to reports from the various
viceroys and governors, this Yamen has obtained the following names:
Chen lan pin, Li feng pao, Horn Chang, Hsü chien jin, Hsu chien shin,
Yeh juan chun, Hsü ching chen, Chü erh liang, and Hsü tung shan; nine in
all, the record of each being written separately for the inspection of
His Majesty.
Aside from Chen lan pin, who has been abroad for some years, and
thoroughly understands foreign affairs, the Yamen has heard that the
remaining eight persons selected are also proficient. We have not seen
them, but hope from ten to be able to select five men of skill to be
prepared for future service. But the sources of information of this
Yamen are limited; the selection of skilled officials from all quarters
is difficult. In the court all are under orders to report men of ability
to His Majesty; day by day they ought carefully to scrutinize, and there
must certainly be these honest, faithful men, who are fitted to serve
His Majesty as ministers abroad.
We must request His Majesty to command the princes, grand secretaries,
presidents and vice presidents of boards, and unemployed officials of
rank, to obey the former edict, and, irrespective of rank, report such
as are suitable, who are possessed of honesty and integrity, whose
ability is complete, or who are versed in foreign affairs, to report
their special capabilities to His Majesty; and at the time of employment
to be classed with those reported by the various viceroys and governors
and by this Yamen for his Majesty’s selection.
If it is feared that some, although possessed of marked ability, still
may not thoroughly understand foreign affairs; they should be reported
afterward, and at a suitable time sent to this Yamen for instruction,
that they may acquire the necessary knowledge. If this meets with His
Majesty’s favor, this Yamen will make copy of the foregoing and forward
to each Yamen in the city, that they may act accordingly.
Respectfully submitted with inclosures.
The grand council of state must obey the imperial will, and carry this
plan into effect.
Respect this.
