The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-03-25
The Japan EXpedition.

The empire of Japan, with its twenty-five
millions OF subjects, has almost been sealed
book to the civilized world for more than two
hundred years. Just at this moment especial
ly in our own country, it has become matter
OF great interest, in consequence of the ef-
fort which our government is making to
establish friendly with relations that strange
a. exclusive people. Whether the Japan ex-
pedlion will be attended with any sort of
success, is matter of great doubt; but it is
an experiment worthy Of the trial, and one,
too, which meets the appreciation of the whole
civilized world. Unlike similar enterprises
in times past, no exclusive privileges or be-
neiits are sought for or desired, aud no course
of policy will be asked towards lis which
may not be extended equally to every other
nation.
The situation of Japan-stuated as it is
in the highway Of nations, and surrounded by
dangerous seas and archipelagocs, through
which the adventurous whaler steers his
vessel, amid hidden rocks and uncertain winds
and currents-requires that typographical
survey of its seas and coasts should be pub
lished TO the world. The three marine miles
from the shore as the limit of nations ex-
elusive jurisdition, is as applicable 10 Asiaiic
as to European and American seas; and no
people, whether they consent or not to be rec
koned in the fraternity of nations, have a
right to appro pirate to their own exclusive
use any common property.
There is besides u higher consideration
than this, namely, the perogatve which every
nation has to demand that the rights OF
hospitality, and the common offices OF
humanity be extended to her unfortunate sub
iects, whom shipwreck or other disaster has
thrown upon their shores; for any govern
ment which maltreats shipwrecked mariner
as matter OF state policy, ought to be re-
garded and dealt with by all nations as a COM
mon foe. Another measure of state policy
which the Japanese government rigdly en-
forces is ut variance with the rights of other
nations; and that is the decree of perpetual
exile which is enforced against her own sub
jects, who happen 10 be accidentally driven
upon a foreign soil. If an American ship up
on homewurd voyage reScueS japanese
crew from wreck at sea, and lands them in
an American port, throwing them it may be
upon our government for protection g. support,
their own government has no right to eX-
patriate them and refuse to receive them back
! They may become paupers and maintainube lie
at the public expense; they may become
criminals OF the worst class, and subject the
country to loss OF life and property; or they
may desire to return to their own homes and
! families. Under these circumstances the
government would have right to demand
that they be taken back.
! Whether nation has not right to decline
all intercourse with its neighbors, even ut its
own and their loss, is question of more diff
ticult solution. AS a general proposition il
| would seem at first view that such u right in
all cases exists; but yet there may be Cir
cumstances which would seem to forbid the
exercise OF this highest principle of sovereign
ty. Thus, il the position OF a nation, or the
policy OF its government, obstruct the gen.
eral progress of the world, or throw al
obstacle In the way Of other nations, they
have right to demand that the obstruction
be removed. II the possessions Of a nation
were in such position as to become absolute
! ly unapproachable unless access could be haC
to them across another nations territory, il
would be justified in demanding on reasona
Bile terms such a privilege of access. If al
American whaler, shattered in the Arctic sea
requires reftting in japanese port in order
to render passage home safe, refusal o.
which privilege would put in imminent
jeopardy the lives and property on board, sucl
refusal would be just ground for earnest re
monstrance if not for war.
Such course the japanese have uniformly
taken; denying the rights of hospitality to the
unfortunate mariner cast upon their shores