The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-11 00:00:00

OUR RELATI')NS WITH JAPAN.

The Earl of CARNA aVON moved for copies of any
instructions given by her Majesty's Government to her
Majesty's diplomatic servants in Japan or to the officers in
command of her Majesty's land or naval forces, to make
demands upon the Government of Japan, with the alter-
native, of immediate, hostilities en the rejection of such
demands. The noble earl referred at some length to the
events that had brought about the present unfortunate state
of affairs, and said he considered the breaking out of hos-
tilities in that distant part of the world a circumstance of the
gravest importance, and he should be glad to hear an ex-
planation from the noble earl opposite of certain matters
which it appeared were about to involve us in war with Japan.
He did a, t think the differences as they had come tohisknow-
ledge were sufficient to justify such a step, and he advised
the Government before they committed the country to a
long and costly war to reconsider the determination
they had arrived at. Before they decided for war
he hoped they would not overlook the immense
difficulty and expense of sending out troops ; and if it should
be decided to carry on hostilities by a combined expedition
he must say he for one greatly diapprovcd of such a pro-
ceeding, because combined expeditions only engendered
jealousy, distrust, and irritation.
Earl RUSSELL said he thought it unnecessary to enter
into defence of the treaties with Japan, because ho thought
hey had been assented to and approved of by everybody.
When he came into office, he found that assasinations had
been committed, andl he felt it his duty to do his best for
the protection of British subjects. Mr. Oliver was one of the
gentlemen who had been severely wounded in the hand,
and he had attended with a deputation at the Foreign-office,
and given an account of some very cruel murders that had
been committed by the Japanese upon British residents,
especially that of Mr. Riehardaon, It oecurred to him that
it was his duty to ask for reparation. (Hear.) His noble
friend had alluded to the fact that certain of the Japanese
were opposed to the residence of British subjects amongst
them ; but was that circumstance to be taken as a jus-
tification of the barbarous murders that had taken place
upon the highway ? (Hear.) He felt bound to demand
redress—(hear)—but it was not the fact that he had caused
war to be declared. He had demanded pecuniary repara-
tion for the families of the deceased, and no more. The
instructions he had sent out he was in daily expectation of
receiving the answer to them. The demands made were
upon the Government of the Tycoon, which was after all
the de facto Government of Japan—but no demand had
been made for the punishment of the daimios, or other
persons implicated, though it was clear they were well
known to the Japanese Government. The person sought
to be held pecuniarily liable was the daimio who was

known to be sheltering the murderers—and the last ru-
mours were that the demands of the British Govern-
ment were about to be complied with. As soon as
the actuel reply had been received he would lay the whole
despatches upon the table. The trade with the Japanese
was large, valuable, and increasing, and it was not true
that the general body of the people were prejudiced against
the trade. Comments had been made upon the expedition
both to Japan and China ; but with respect to the latter, he
believed no expedition had ever better answered its purpose
—(hear)—and he hoped the former would succeed as well.
The policy pursued in China had led to the most friendly
relations between the British and Chinese Governments,
and to the opening up of a most profitable trade with a na-
tion of 400,000,000 of.inhabitants. He could not but consi-
der that as both a just and successful policy—(hear, hear)
—and he trusted the course adopted with regard to Japan
would be equally beneficial.
Earl GREY regretted that the noble earl had declined
to produce the despatches asked for. He admitted it was
the duty of a Government to stand up for the protection of
British subjects where a treaty of trade had been entered
into, but it should be remembered, upon the testimony of
Sir Rutherford Alcock himself, that that treaty had not
been voluntarily entered into by the Japanese, but had been
forced upon them against their wishes and inclinations.
The noble earl then proceeded to show that the English had
been guilty of gross injuries and insults to the Japanese,
and to show the animus of the British towards the natives,
mentioned the case of an Englishman who had shot a na-
tive policeman in the execution of his duty. The English-
man had been prosecuted in the Consular Court, but on
conviction was only sentenced to a ridiculously dispropor-
tionate fine, which was immediately subscribed amongst
the English, and the man set at liberty. Further than that,

he had proceeded against the British consul for some defect
in the judgment, and had actually recovered damages. Such
a course of conduct naturally irritated the natives more and
more against the foreign settlers, and while the present
spirit of hostility remained unpacified, it was hopeless to ex-
pect to succeed in making commercial treaties. But were
coercive measures likely to allay that spirit of irritation ?
(Hear, hear.) If coercive measures were to be adopted they
would have to be upon a very extensive scale, and it had
been stated already that the force at present in Japan was
useless without large reinforcements from India. The
natives had been purchasing large quantities of European
firearms and ammunition, and after a long, bloody, and ex-
pensive war (the last war with China cost £8,000,000) what
would be the result ? Should we annex Japan and hold it ?
Certainly not; it was not in our power. What was the
alternative ? Another treaty, not worth the paper it was
written upon any longer than it suited the orientals to ob-
serve its provisions. He confessed he had heard with asto-
nishment the speech of his noble friend (Earl Russell), who
in 1857 had made such eloquent orations upon the duty of
justice and humanity to the Chine,,e. (Hear.) With respect
to China itself he could not understand how the noble earl
could derive any consolation or satisfaction from the present
state of affairs in that country. (Hear.) As for Japan, all
he recommended was that the Government should treat the
Japanese with ordinary justice, and he suggested the esta-
blishment of a system of police, with proper tribunals at the
various ports, fer the punishment of British subjects who
might be proved to have committed offences against the
natives. Let it be also impressed upon the British merchants
that they were not to make haste to be rich at the expense
of truth and justice to the natives, and then he believed the

resources of Japan might be developed for our advantage to
an extent not hitherto dreamed of. (Hear.)
The Duke of SOMERSET defended the treaty, which,
he said, had been obtained years ago, and acted upon by
several successive Governments. The Japanese, so far
from having the treaty forced upon them, had proposed
to our Government to modify its provisions, thereby clearly
acknowledging its legality. Besides, had they not sent am-
bassadors upon the subject of it to this country only last
year. As for telling merchants not to make haste to get
rich, what attention did the noble earl think he would re-
ceive if he went and preached that doctrine down in the
City ? (Hear.) And why, did the noble earl think that he
would get more attention in Japan ? As for hostilities,
every possible means had been taken to procure compensa-
tion without resorting to them ; and as the reparation de-
manded was cliietly due from a well known daimio who re-
sided upon an island a short distance from the mainland,
and carried on a large trade which we could easily intercept
or destroy, it was hoped that the claim would be satisfied
without the necessity for violent measures.
Lord AVODEHOUSE also defended the policy of the
British Government; after which,
The Earl of CARNARVON withdrew his motion for
papers for the present.
BRITISH COLUMBIA BOUNDARIES BILL.
The bill was read a third time.

The Removal of Irish Poor, Marriages Registration (Ire-
land), Newcastle-upon• Tyne (St. Mary Magdalen's Hos-
pital), Sir Robert Hitchin's Charity, and Police and im-
provement (Scotland) Bills were read a second time.
The Colonial Lettlers Patent, Poor Law Board Continu-
ance, and Loan Societies Bills passed through committee.
Stamte Law Revision, Public Works (Manufacturing
Districts), Thames Embankment (South Side), Militia Bal-
lots Suspension, and the Walmer Vesting Bills were read a
third time.
The lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMOlTS—Lasti.Evening.
The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The folloWing billd were read a third time :—Carmarthen
and Cardigan Railway (No. 1), Law Life Assurance Society,
and Sligo and Ballaghaderreen Junction Railway.
The following hills were read a second time :—Dublin
Metropolitan Railway and Finch Hatton's Estate.
CHURCH RATES AMENDMENT BILL.
Lord A. CHURCHILL brought in this Lill, which was
read a first time, and ordered for second reading to-morrow.