The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-01

Nst prospects OF the Japan Expedition
We are at length enabled to form something
like correct notion OF the chances which await
our mission to Japan. We need inform none of
our readers, we trSt, that the want of sea-
port at some inter ening point between Shang-
hae and San Francisco where our future Pacific
steamers might coal and water suggested, some
years ago, to our government, the propriety of
endeavoring to induce the japanese to waive
their usual rule of exclusion in our favor, and
to allow our vessels to enter one of the ports OF
their Island Empire. Concurrently with this re-
quest we had complaint to make to the Japan
csc authorities, in consequence of the barbarous
treatment of our shipwrecked sailors on their
coasts. These two subjects occupied the atten-
ton of Mr.. Polk during his Presidency; but ii
was not till near the close of the last admins
tration that anything definite was resolved
upon, or an expedition fitted out for the pur-
pose OF carrying the project into execution. 1t
is now many months since Commodore Perry
sailed. We have tracked him from place to
place all through the Pacific with an interest
fully commensurate with the national impor-
lance of the object he was sent to achieve; and
after his arrival at the Loo-Choo islands and
bis departure for Japan has been recorded, we
are not exaggerating when we assert that no
item in our foreign news had been looked for
with more anxiety than the result of his voyage
to Jeddo.
That result was laid before our readers yes
terday probably before the Department of State
was acquainted with its tenor. So far as it
goes, it wears rather favorable appearance.
Commodore Perry has not been fired upon, or
attacked, or moested. On the contrary. as soon
as the japanese were convinced that he did not
intend to injure them or suffer them to injure
him, they seem to have treated him with equal
respect and civility A judicious adherence to
the punctilious forms Of etiquette on his part
obtained concessions from them which have
never previously been extended to any foreign
expedition. Nothing practical was done, how
ever. Having delivered his message to the
princes who were despatched by the Emperor
to receive it, the Commodore took his leave,
promising to return for the answer in a few
months.
Speculations on the subject of that answer,
must necessarily, with our limited means of
Judging be liable to error. But in despite Of
the outward cordiality of the Japanese officials
with whom Commodore Perry came into con-
tact, we are far from believing that the reply
of the Emperor will be in accordance with our
wishes. The whole tenor Of the history of
such semi barbarous, semi-civilized nations as
the Japanese, is opposed to the hypothesis that
ba ip6r fho c; nj
ton Of foreign power, to waive one Of the
fundamental rules of their political creed. With
them. the exclusion Of foreigners has been the
palladium OF their peculiar national institu-
tons Fhe law was enacted in order that the
japanese should not become corrupted by
intercourse with foreigners, and likewise with
view to preserve for the exclusive use and
behoof of the natives, the mineral and agri-
cultural treasures with which the japanese
islands abound. Whatever reasons of policy die
lated such q measure two centuries ago
xist with ten fold force to-day, when for
eieners are securing the Pacific in every
ERECTION. Looking at the matter on abstract
rounds Of principle only, we can discover no
easo1 HAT would be likely to possess sufficient
weight with the japanese mind to impel the
Emperor, at this particular moment, to set aside
a law that has been cheerfully and relgiously
obeyed by the whole nation for two centuries
II. again, the japanese take the experience of
their neighbors as criterion ofthe results which
the admission Of foreigners might be likely to
work among themselves the recent history Of
China is not likely to sway them in our favor.
They are well acquainted, we know, with the
history of the opium war; which. as the Empe-
ror Of Japan informed the Dutch ENJOYS. was
the natural consequence Of the folly Of the Chi
nese in admitting Englishmen to the country
at all. Nor can they be ignorant Of the share
which English missionaries have had in arous-
ing the present revolutionary movement in Chi
ma. Both Of these events are rather calculated
to confirm than to confute the wisdom of the ex-
listing law in the japanese mind. Add to these
reasons the well-known fact that the Japanese
have had ample time to prepare for Commodore
Perry's expedition that they are well acquaint-
ed with the use Of firearms, are brave, har-
dy, warlike race; and finally, that they are in
all probability, entirely ignorant Of the strength
of this country, and do not contemplate the pos
sbility Of our enforcing our demands in case Of
refusal, and it must be admitted that the chances
are strongly in favor of Commodore Perry s
failure when he visits Jcddo next spring.
Such. we acknowledge, is our expectation.
We shall be glad to be disappointed; but SO
little do we anticipate such an event that we
now cali upon the administration to prepare
for the announcement that Comm odore Perry
has returned without effecting anything, and
likewise to take measures for obtaining by
force those reasonable concessions which we
cannot secure by negotiation. If the present
expedition fail, another must be sent-a whole
feet Of war steamers, if necessary, with orders
to lombard Jeddo in case Of resistance by the
japanese. Having gone SO far, retreat is i'm
possible We must carry our point, should it
cost another opium war.