The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-27 00:00:00

was in the western hemisphere, now it is in the
eastern. The efforts which we have made to open
communications with Japan, and, at the same time.
to develop the resources of that country and create
a new field for British enterprise, have not been as
successful as we could have desired. Japan was,
until within a few years past, completely clornd
against the rest of the world. Its Government be-
lieving that, within its own confines, it possessed
all the elements of wealth and happiness, obsti-
nately and persistently refused to open commercial.
relations with other States. At length, however,
the perseverance with which both England and
America endeavoured to divert the Japanese Go-
vernment from its strange resolution met with
its reward. The barriers which had so long been
opposed to the entrance of strangers were thrown
down, and after a short time the representatives of
foreign States permitted to take up their residence
at the Japanese capital. It was idle, however, to
hope that the prejudices which were fostered
during centuries would instantaneously disappear..
We have been received by the Japanese, it is true,
but our position has been that of persons living in
an enemy's territory. It would be needless now
to recapitulate the outrages which not only our
merchants, but even our representative, have expe-
rienced at the hands of the Japanese. On one,
occasion the embassy was attacked, and the greater
number of its occupants either killed or wounded.
At the close of last year an English merchant was
foully murdered on the public road at mid-day by
the retainers of one of the native princes whom it
was his misfortune to encounter; and, if we mis-
take not, his wife, who accompanied him, narrowly
escaped the same fate. In faot, never during the
brief interval which has elapsed since our settle-
ment in Japan have our relations either with its
Government or population been otherwise than ex-
tremely precarious. The news brought by the In-
dian mail which has just arrived indicates that
matters ere far from mending. We are, in fact,
drifting into what may become a petty war, which,
however slightly felt its consequences may be in
these islands, may bring to a close our commercial
connection with Japan. Her Majesty's Govern-
ment found it absolutely necessary to demand from:
the Japanese authorities reparation for the severaL
outrages committed upon our rr erchants, but with
these demands the latter hesitated to comply.
Under these circumstances orders were transmitted
to the English admiral on the station to employ
coercive measures ; and in accordance with these an
ultimatum was communicated to the Japanese
Government by the British Charge d'Affaires on the
6th April, with an intimation that if within twenty
days reparation was not made Admiral Kuper would
have recourse to force. In accordance, however, with
the wishes of the Japenese, this time was extended
by 15 days, viz., until the 11th of May. It would
seem, however, that this delay was demanded, not.
for the purpose of reconsidering the expediency
of complying with the British demands, but simply
with the view of maturing preparations for war.
When the mail left on the 28th of April the
Japanese were said to be busily engaged in collect-
ing a considerable army. Arms and ammunition
have for some time past been imported in large
quantities, and it is slid that since hostilities were
resolved upon by our Government, in the event of
reparation being refused, the American merchants
resident in Japan have largely supplied the native
Government with munitions of war. Assuming
that this report is correct, it must not be supposed
that the Americans have violated any moral or
'egal duty. The possibility of an interruption of
amicable relations between ourselves and the
Japanese could of course give us no right to inter-
fere with the trade of another nation. It may,
however, be questionable whether the Americans
acted with prudence in placing the means of resist-
ance in the hands of our probable adversaries. In
the present instance England is virtually taking up
the cause, not of her own subjects, but of the entire
foreign mercantile population of Japan. The out-
rages of which we have had to complain were dic-
tated not so much by a dislike to ourselves as by a
general antipathy to the interference of strangers.
Indirectly we were maintaining by our remons-
trances and l'emands for reparation the interests of
American as much as of English traders. The po-
sition in which the foreign residents were placed
when the mail left was critical in the extreme. The
commands to the admiral were said to be peremp-
tory—to proceed to hostilities in the event of com-
pliance with our demands being refused. In a com-
munication addressed to the residents Admiral
Kuper stated that it was not in his power to afford
them protection, and consequently no other alterna-
tive was left them than to embark with all their
effects before the time granted by the British repre-
sentative had expired. With regard to the parti-
cular measures to be taken by the admiral, it is
supposed that, with the force at his disposal, he
would blockade or possibly bombard some of the
principal seaports. From Yedo, the chief seaport
town, the Daimios have, however, departed, and,
with its exception, it is not believed that the Japa-
nese Government care very much about the damage
which can be effected by a naval force. If war un-
fortunately does ensue, the employment of a land.
force will become absolutely necessary, and the
troops now stationed in India must supply the con-
tingent necessary to vitdicate our rights in Japan.
It is very unfortunate that this collision between
ourselves and the Japanese should have arisen, but
however much it is to be regretted it was inevit-
able. None could be more desirous than the British
nation of cultivating to the utmost amicable rela-
tions with Japan, but all our efforts in that direc-
tion have been frustrated. Our grounds of com-
plaint were such as the government of no State
should have refused to recognise, and the repara-
tion we demanded such as none should have refused
to accord. The refusal of the Japanese Government
to entertain or satisfy our demands leaves us no
option as to the course to be pursued. If an Eng-
lish admiral should find himself compelled to bom-
bard the seaports of Japan, or an English general
be forced to lead an expedition into the interior of
the country, the fault will be entirely that of the
Japanese themselves. We are desirous of living on
terms of amity with all the world, and more espe-
cially with semi-barbarous nations, but we cannot
be expected, for the sake of avoiding hostilities, to
submit patiently to outrages as barbarous as they
are unprovoked.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

,1,

LIVERPOOL-FRIDAY.

At this day's market there was a small attendance, with
a retail demand for wheat, and late prices receded id per
cental. Oats and oatmeal very dull. Beans neglected, at
9d per qr decline on the week. Indian corn in better de-
mand. Flour 6d per barrel cheaper.

STAMF ORD-FRIDAY.

White wheat, 49s to 50s; red, 45s to 46s per 36 stone.
Barley, malting, 36s to 40s; grinding,. 28s to 30s per qr.
Oats, 22s to 26s per 24 stone. Beans, old, 40s to -8 per
qr. ; new, 38s to —s.