The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-12

False Protence Case III Pmiadephla; commercial,
| Theatrical and Miscellaneous News, DC.
| The japanese Expedition and British Diplo-
macy. DIR. Bovyring and Caleb Cushing.
Since the news reached this country of the
safe arrival Of Commodore Perry's squadron at
the capital Of Japan, or rather in the bay at a
respectful distance from Jeddo-of the deli
very to the proper officer OF the letter Of Pres-
dent Fillmore to the Emperor. asking him to
open his ports to our shipping-of the explora-
| ton Of the bay beyond the forbidden point
| twenty miles further than any foreign ship had
| ever been permitted to penetrate--and Of the
| Commodore's unmolested departure for China,
with notification that he would return next
spring for an answer, the interval being allowed
for the elaboration of the Japanese govern
ment-since the late arrival of this highly ex-
citing intelligence, the interest in the eypedi-
ton is greatly enhanced, and the anxiety about
the final result is Increased all over the
country
This branch Of our foreign policy has fur
nished theme for the discussion of the British
press in China. in India, and at home and it is
evident that it is regarded by British states
men and the British people with deep attention
ard with the most earnest solicitude.. In TRUTH
the problem which remains to be solved
whether the Emperor of Japan will grant or re-
fuse the boon ght from him by the American
government together with the important and
momentous results involved in his answer,
(whe,her it be negative or affirmative )-caunot
be regarded with indifference by any por-
| ton Of the civilized world. The eyes Of
all nations are fixed upon Jeddo watch
ing for the moment when Perry's squad
ron shall next appear in its waters. The
correspondent of the London Times surmises
that when this event takes place the Commo-
dore will find forts erected and manned to give
him warm reception. If they be only like the
= batteries in petticoats y that formerly manaood
ard put to fight British frigate, there need
not be much alarm for the safety of the expedi-
ton; but success in the object Of its mission is
a different question, and one far more difficult
Ct solution.
BY recent private despatch from England,
we learn that before the American expedition
set sail the British government sent instruc-
tions to DR.. Bowring, their consul at Canton, to
communicate with the Emperor Of Japan. APP
prising him of the designs OF the United States
and that DR.. Bowrng in consequence sent pri-
vately messenger to Jeddo to notify the
Japanese government Of the coming squadron,
and to put in good word for the Americans
all Of course out of pure and disinterested afec-
ton for the United States, and not from any
selfish considerations, or any sordid desire to
reap the fruits Of American enterprise in this
new Ophir, whose virgin wealth has excited the
cupidity of all the maritime nations of the
world and kept at work the diplomacy of their
governments for centuries, without the slight
est prospect Of success up to the present hour.
1t viii, therefore, be proud feather in the cap
Of the American republic if its agents, partly
by 'soft sawder," and partly by the harder
and weightier arguments used by kings
should succeed in what has hitherto baffled the
skill and ingenuity Of European diplomats the
opening of the commerce Of the Japanese en-
pire. Dramatically sealed to all the world,
except the Dutch and the Chinese, and to
them only partially open at single point and
with the most hampering restrictions. No
doubt the English would have long since served
them as they did the people OF india and more
recently the Chinese but that they found they
would have to deal with very different race
Of men, and the failure to coerce them would
have been greatly worse than never to make
the attempt. That the British government
who always keep q sharp look out for the lions
share of the spells of nations, did send to DR..
BowriDg the message just referred to- and that
he transmitted it from China to Japan, there is
no reason whatever to doubt.
The English have thus aimed at securing two
objects at one blow-frst to ipgratiate them
selves with the Japanese court, by giving them
early intelligence Of an event affecting the in
terests of the empire; and, secondly to get favor
with the United States government, and pave
the way for playing the same game that the
Americans played them in obtaining by secret
diplomacy equal privileges with the British in
trading at the FIVE Chinese ports opened by the
result Of the opium war. The Chinese govern
ment having promised on the representation of
Commodore Kearney. previous to the treaty
OF Nankin, that whatever concessions were made
to the English should also be granted to the
United States, our government, in the year
1874, sent an embassy 70 China, under the direc-
ton Of Caleb Gushing as plenipotentiary, for the
negotiation OF a treaty between the govern
ments at Washington and Pekin similar to the |
English treaty. The throwing open. therefore
OF the ports OF China to the United States was |
not the result OF British policy, but had its |
origin in the anxious forethought Of Amer. |
lea lest the British might stipulate for |