The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-08-10

between the people of Europe; that oil bis efforts
were consecrated to the promotion Of the happi-
ness OF his people and the preservation of domestic
that long foreigners contributed
by legitimate commerce To the prosperity of his
Subjects il imported to him very little to know TO
what nation they belonged, and of what sovereign
of the West they norpinally subjects" As
the petitioners, despite of this perepptory. reply
insisted upon their demands, the EmperQr igno-
miniously dismissed them, with the vehement de-
ctaraton that, if ''the devils of hell" themselves
should visit his kingdom, they would be treated
as angels of heaven, so long as they conformed
to the established laws. Finally, another Spanish
deputatioa having argued that the Dutch had not
the permission of their ovsFegn to reside in Ja-
PAM the Emperor dismissed them again. with the
noble declaration that ",Iapd, ,vas an asylum for
the people Of all nations. fe
Certainly, we compare the religious and, com
mercal policy of the Japanese of the fifteenth
century with that of the Europeans of the same
age the superiority will be found to lie with the
former and the civilization of Europe to be dec-
dedly in the rear Such also was the opinion of
Europeans themselves, who were astounded at
the spectacle of the swarming population and
marvellous wealth of that powerful empire, and
much more at the spirit of equity and modera-
ton of its rulers.
Down TO 1881 the autnOrlIleS or Japan had
not changed their hospitable and liberal con
duct towards Europeans. But about that period
the governor of Manila sent to Japan an en-
bassy composed of Franciscan monks, who set
themselves to preaching in the streets of Maco,
one of the imperials capitals, in defiance of the
prohibitions of the authorities. In vain they were
ordered to quit the country; they openly refused
to obey and excited the Christians to revolt The
Dutch, to whom their triumph would have incv-
itably brought decree of expulsion, submitted to
the inspection of the authorities the correspond
ence by which the missionaries invited the Euro
pean governments to unite with the native Chris
tians to effect the conquest of the country
The Japanese government now lost all patience
and its policy towards Europeans became as re
strictive it had hitherto been liberal. All the Eu-
ropean residents, with the exception of tho Dutch,
obliged to leave Japan. fearful persecu-
ton commenced against the Christians. Thou
sands of scaffolds We're erected in every part of
the empire, and the faith was drowned in
blood. 1t was prohibited, under pain of death, to
Japanese subjects to quit the national territory,
or to return after having emigrated. The city of
Nangask on the small island Of Deseina was
assigned to the Dutch their place of residence,
and the most rigorous regulations were adopted to
prevent them from interfering with the popula-
ton. The commerce which it was permitted
them to carry was also limited. Hencefor-
ward they were not allowed to send more than
two vessels year to Japan, and the total value
of the two cargoes could not exceed two millions
of francs. The Spanish and Portuguese historians
add that the Dutch navigators were ordered, up
on their arrival at Nangaski, to tread under foot
the image of Christ and the Virgin Mary; but this
custom, If it ever existed, is no longer observed.
The Dutch are only bound, says Mr.. t. Randall,
editor Of Memorials Of the Empire Of Japan to be
the news mongers of the Japanese government.
"All that you shall learn that is new among the
nations with whom you are in intercourse, we beg
you to communicate to the governor of Nangas-
XII" Such is the recommendation that is made to
the Dutch residents every time that they are au-
thorizcd to communicate with the Court of Jcddo
Mr.. Randall is gratified to be able to remark that
the Dutch have never abused their position to
create dstrust upon the part of the Japanese gov
eminent against other nations Of the West.
Thus, then, for nearly century-from l542 to
l637-Japan was freely opened to Europeans and
from 1887 to the present-that is to say, for more
than two centuries. This deplorablc change of
policy is rather to be imputed to Europeans than
| to the Japanese themselves The latter repealed
the former only when their independence was at
stake. Their conduct since the decree of expul-
sion proves that they are not animated by u blind
and brutal hatred against strangers Thus when
the Dutch established at Desena were cut of
from all communication with Europe in conse-
quence OF the continental war, the Japanese gen
| erously supplied them with means until the re-
turn of peace. On different occasions English
and American vessels, which have touched at
Nangask for revictuallng, have been supplied
with provisions without difficulty. Sometimes,
even, provisions have been furnished them gratis
Such was the with the Samdrang, of the En-
glish navy, which visited Nangaski in 1916 under
Captain Belcher. The commanding officer re-
ceived the most kind and cordial reception from
the authorities; permission was granted to es-
tablish himself small island in the vicinity of
Nangaski for astronomical observations, and pay
ment for provisions furnished was resolutely re-
fused. the Japanese giving for reason that it was
not their custom to receive money from their Wis
tors
Europeans, however, have done nothing to eff.
face the bad opinion which they left behind them
at Japan. Mr.. Randall alludes to three circum-
stances in which they have not conducted them
selves in such manner as to give the Japanese
very high idea of their civilization. In 1903 for
example, Count ResanoH, Russian envoy, entered
upon negotiations with the authorities of Nam
gaski to obtain the opening of the ports of Japan
These negotiations, which at first presented every
prospect of success, having been interrupted by a
quarrel touching etiquette, Russian fotla made
descent upon of the kuril islands and Gov
cred it with fire and blood. In the same year an
English ship brutally, and in violation of the law
of nations, seized and carried off two Dutch sail
ors from on board Japanese vessel. In 1887 the
American vessel Morrison cast anchor in the bay
of Jeddo, at little distance from the imperial
residence, in violation of the orders of the Japan
ese authorities. Driven off by cannon shot, the
Morrison persisted, nevertheless, in remaining for
some time in the maritime region interdicted to
foreigners.
These affronts are not forgotten at Japan, and
they will not facilitate the success of the mission
of Commodore Perry. Undoubtedly, if negotia-
ton fails the Americans may resort to their can
non, after the example of the English in China
But Japan, although less extensive and less popu-
lous than China, possesses much more formidable
means of resistance. The population is represented
by travellers of the sixteenth century TO be ex-
ceedngy fierce and warlkc. 1t will not yield to
foreign yoke without an attempt at self defence