Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-02-12


entirely, was great object with the thrifty
Hollanders Stories were accordingly clrcua-
ted. that the catholic missionaries, as true be-
levers in the Papal supremacy, designed TO
bring the Island under the rule of the Roman
Pontiff The fears thus excited were soon IN an
ungovernable fame. A revolution took place.
The Siogoon of the day was deposed, war OF
determination waged against the Jcsults, ana
hosts of faithful converts, even unto death, put
to the sword. History records that the Dutch
had overshot the mark. They had stirred up.so
thorough dread of European treachery, that
they still retained at Nigasaki, by aiding IN the
slaughter and torture of their Christian breth-
ren. Even now their two vessels per annum are
always deprived of the their armature and rud-
ders, the moment they come to anchor; and
whatever cash capital they bring along is kindly
taken care of by the japanese authoritles.-l
There is no reason to believe that the captain
ard sailers have to open commercial relations
every year, by trampling on the crucihx, though
during the first heat of animosity against the
Catholics, this formulary was undoubtedly ex-
acted and obligingly complied with.
From the era of this anti Christian warefare,
1881, the whole policy of the japanese Govern
ment has been directed to the prohibition of for
eign intercourse The Dutch and Chinese alone
open as an anchorage ground to foreigners; the
condition of that favor being the deposit OF all
their arms with the authorities of the city
Under no circumstance is any one permitted to
land or engage in traffic. To anchor IN any
other harbor of the Empire, instantly exposes
vessel to destruction. Natives Of other coun-
tries shipwrecked or coming voluntarily upon
the shores, are consigned to prison. Natives OF
the islands shipwrecked abroad, are not permit
ted to return, save upon Dutch or Chinese
vessel A decree to that effect was ira ;smltted
to the European powers in lS43.
We may review briefly the various attempts
of civilization to break down. the selfish barrier
of the japanese.
The English, as long ago as the reign OF
Charles l., sent an embassy thither, to obtain
the privilege of trade for the East India Com
pany. As the war upon foreigners had not yet
been declared, the advantages asked for were
promptly granted All the ports of the empire
opened to the Company's vessel; remaining so,
however, for only dozen or fifteen years when
the exclusive system was re-instated. In 1911,
England made another effort to get in. Hav-
ing conquered the various Dutch possessions in
the East Indies, they notified the Siogoon of
their intention to take possession of the Dutch
Factory at Dezima, but the japanese refused
to accede to any such argument. In spite of
every artifce on the part of the English, the
Factory was for several years carefully protect
ed, and eventually guaranteed to its Dutch pos
sessor The British have never since repeat
ed the attempt. Certainly they would stand
poorer chance than any others, so inhexibly
have the japanese been prejudiced by their do
ings in 1871, and theirmore racent sublugation
of China.
The Russians have endeavored to find ingress
ever since the days Of Catherine |. The prox-
unity of their Kamktschatkan territories, and
the return of struggling japanese sailors, at va
rious times, before the decree of l843 was pro-
mulgated, have been Intellectually relied upon.
In 1904, a Russian envoy visited Nagasaki in
great state, and through the Intervention of the
Dutch, obtained an audience, but that was all.
| The Emperor Alexander declared war, and
captured few idconsiderable islands at the
North. The japanese retaliated by seizing
Russian friggate, with its crew, and notified
their enemies that every one of the captives
should be put to death unless hostilities were
suspended. The war was therefore termina-
| ted.
The Dutch have managed to maintain their
! post at Dezima, with the slender advantages it
! yields, by dint of uncomplaining submission to
the authorities King William,in in 1914, thought
to obtain a modification of the prohibitive 'poli-
cy. To that end he sent letter to the Siogoon
detailing the result of the Chinese war and
begging that there should be some let-up of the
wretched embargo, in favor of the European
commercial powers. After maturely deGbera-
ting upon the proposition for two years, the Sio
COON replied that he had carefully watched the
progress of events in China, involvingsthe over
throw of the fundamental law of that empire.
Those events upon which his majesty of the
Netherlands based his arguments, were, in his
eyes, the very strongest reasons for reafhrming
the standing policy of the japanese. 1t was
clear that there could be no peace without the
entire exclusion of stangers. Had the Chinese
never allowed the English to gain foothold at
| Canton, their domestic institutions would have
remained undsturbed.
'EFrom the moment" said the Siogoon, "that
we yield one point, we become vulnerable at all.
This was the reasoning of my ancestor when he
debated the propriety of granting you the liber-
ty of commerce with Japan, and, for the evi-
dences of sincere friendship for our country
which you have often given, rest assured that
YOU would be as rigidly excluded as the other
nations of the West Now that you possess
this privilege, desire that you may continue to
| enjoy it; but / shall be very careful never to
extend it to any other people whatever; for it is
| easier to maintain an embankment in good
state of preservation, than to prevent the widen
ing of breach, when it has once been opened.
l have given my officers orders accordingly
the future will prove that our policy is wiser
than that of the Chinese Empire"
The japanese, it will be remarked, are not
without fair share of shrewdness. The Sio
goon argues ingeniously.
The Government of the United States has re-
peatedly tried to effect lodgment of the is,
lands but with no better prosperity than Euro
pean competitors. In 1916, CON- Biddle made
the mistake of violating the laws of the Empire,
in bringing his frigate to anchor in the harbor
of Jeddo. His object.was the opening of COM
rnercial relationsand his object he made. known
to the Siogoon by letter. Offended by the un.
fortunate blunders wich which the Commodore
opened his negotiation, the Siogoon replied cur
tly.
According to the laws of Japan, the Japan
ese can only trade with Hollanders and China
men. America cannot be permitted to have
treaty with Japan or commerce with the empire
while such permission is granted to no other
nation Besides, whatever relates to foreign
countries is attended to at Nagasaki, and not in
this bay; you will, therefore, depart as soon as
possible, and never return"
Shortly after, sloop-ofwar was despatched to
Japan to demand the restoration of few
American sailors, who had been shipwrecked on
one of the islands. They were promptly and