The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-03 00:00:00

THE SUN.

WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 3, 1858.

Lord ELGIN, like "the busy bee," knows well
how to " improve each shining hour." No sooner
had he concluded the important treaty of Tien-sin,
than he clearly discerned that other advantages of
no ordinary magnitude might follow in its wake, if
the opportunity were made duly available. We
believe that some complaints were preferred because
the noble earl had taken what was denominated
"a pleasure trip" to Japan, when he ought to have
remained at his post until the Cantonese malcon-
tents, and more especially the Sunkum, had been
brought to a due sense of their situation. But
the result shows that Lord ELGIN knew
-what he was about far better than the
captious critics who so bitterly censured his
proceedings. He had ascertained that there
were others in the field, desirous of taking ad-
vantage of the prestige attained by England and
France, who, although they kept aloof from the
toil and danger, were yet anxious to reap the entire
advantages thereof.
The Americans and Russians, as might have been
anticipated, were foremost in the race. They had
a keen sense of self-interest, and of the propriety
of picking up the " waifs and strays" that might
fall in their way, without any extraordinary de-
gree of sensitiveness as to the mode by which the
object could be accomplished—" Convey, the wise
it call," seems to be the guiding principle of Ame-
rican, and Russian diplomatists, and certainly
it is but simple justice to say that
both of the parties displayed the utmost
zeal and energy in carrying out the spirit
of the instructions they had received from their
respective Governments.

Our transatlantic cousins had long been aware
of the great advantages that must inevitably result
from a treaty of commerce with what might be
termed a" virgin soil." With the exception of some
slight privileges granted to Dutch traders, Japan
had hitherto been completely tabooed to all stran-
gers. The people were contented with the blessings
they enjoyed from a fertile country and delightful
climate, and they carefully eschewed all intercourse
with foreigners. Even the favoured Dutch were
virtually prisoners within the narrow limits
assigned for their residence. They could not
trespass beyond their bounds without being
accompanied by officials, who were really guards
or gaolers, to prevent the free intercourse that
would otherwise have been attained. The Ameri-
cans were naturally anxious to change this system,
and they were fortunate in the gentleman whose
services they obtained to represent their interests
at the Court of Japan. Mr. HARRIS had, however,
been six months vainly endeavouring to negotiate
a treaty. He was met with every species of
erasion, until the tidings: of the treaty of Tien-sin
arrived at Jeddo.

The intelligence struck consternation into the
hearts of the anti-Liberal party in Japan. China
had been compelled to abandon the exclusive sys-
tem, and bow could they hope to maintain it much
longer ? Vessels of war of almost incredible
strength had ascended the Peiho, and they could
scarcely hope to be exempted from a. simi-
lar visitation, and a gentle but irresistible
pressure. This feeling was greatly enhanced by
the arrival of the Commodore, who brought Mr.
HARRIS in the U. S. steamship Powhattan to Kar-
ragawa, only 15 miles distant from the capital.
The opportunity was not lost. So well was it
worked that a very beneficial treaty was obtained
for America, on the strength of what had been ac-
complished by England and France. This was a
striking instance of Yankee sharpness; but it must
be acknowledged that Mr. HARRIS, having accom-
plished his own object, acted in a. very fair and
straightforward manner towards the English au-
thorities. He also gave the services of his inter-
preter, which were exceedingly- valuable.
Lord ELGIN would have been completely
cheek-mated had he been a mere red-tapist,
or had he been framed of the ordinary diplo-
matic calibre. But he was a man of action
and determination. There was, fortunately, a
plausible excuse for demanding admission to jeddo.
.A steam yacht had been sent from this country as
a present to the EMPEROR, and Lord ELGIN deter-
mined that it should only be handed over at head-
quarters. If detained at Nagasaki, according to