Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-06-05

Abide from interest and great commercial
expectation, there is something fresh and
novel in the interchange of ciyilities about to
occur between the Mongols and Caucasians.
The Empire Of Japan is old, but only once
since the days of Marco Paula has Japanese
ever visited any other than Asiatic shores.
That was long ago, in the year 1884, when
the Catholic religion had gained so strong q
h)ld In the Asiatic Archipelago that an en-
oassy was sent to Rome and Spain. Ieis re-
lated that this embassy traversed Italy and
Spain, and returned, as we hope their more
modern kin will, highly delighted with what
they had seen and heard. Since that time
and before, the mysterious Empire has been
frivolous in Its intercourse with the outside
world. In 1912, Mendez Pinto, a Portuguese,
reached Japan, and trade sprang up between
the two countries. Francis Xavier followed
him, and made converts to Christianity; but in
loS5 they were all expelled or persecuted
An Englishman having been wrecked upon the
islands, was detained as prisoner, and a slight
English trade was opened, to be speedily closed
Fifteen years after the persecution of Xavier
converts, the Dutch arrived and opened COM
merce, and have retained, with some depres-
slons, their position until the present time.
During all this period the Japanese temper
has been frivolous, now relaxing their rigid
etiquette, and then resuming it; now admit
ting the Christianssto privileges, and then
cutting them of. This fuctuating policy on
their part has not been without some cause:
for usually the Christians, once admitted
have commenced proselyting, and thereby Of
Tending the native religious teachers 1t is
SAID that at one time, 80 successful had been
the Jesuit teachers, there were nearly two
million native Christians in the Empire, among
whom were four princes, Prosecutions sue.
ceeded, and at one time thirty seven thousand
Christian converts were butchered. At last
ha fah fhnrn al
island, $40 by 240 feet, not permitted to 20
beyond this limit on penalty of death, and
were watched with the most Vigilant care
Since the mission Of Com Perry in 1854 the
disposition of the Japanese has again relaxed
treaties have succeeded, and at last we have
the unique assembly approaching our shores
All this international courtesy is or is SUD-
posed to be, subservient to the opening of com
mene, advantageous to both nations II il
because this embassy apparently opens the
door to the enlargement Of our commerce. TO a
new and untrodden field for American enter.
prise, that Congress has made an appropria.
ton Of $50, 900, and is contemplating another
OF $4,000 By the opening of harbors on our
western coast and the peopling of that region,
we are made neighbors to the young commu.
mites springing up on the Pacific islands. and
to those repositories of wealth among the an.
clent Asiatic empires. 1t has been estimated
that Japan, with its immense population.
somewhere between IS 900 900 and so 600 600
will furnish new and valuable market for
American products and fabrics, when the oh.
structions to commerce are removed and the
japanese are once taught to foster foreign
trade.
judging from experience it will be many
years before these anticipations will be largely
realized. The Asiatios do not adopt new ems.
toms rapidly, nor would their CONSUMPTION OF
American goods be at all in proportion to their
population and supposed wealth If the coun.
try were to be thrown open to American houses
IL would be more advantageous; but only a
limited number Of ports are yet thrown open.
and In these the provisions are restricted. II
tue Empire OF Japan could be opened to Amer.
lcan traders, the mines to be operated by
them, their improved modes of agriculture
and mechanism to be introduced, the benefits
would be almost incalculabIe. But this oap.
not be accomplished in many years. Hako.
aadl, one OF the ports, is little else than fish
ing village, with no active trade, and with
only sufficient articles Of export to load a few
ships III the United States can once obtain
the confidence and friendly intercourse of the
Japanese, time will open the door to extensive
commerce.
The immediate object of this embassy is tc
exchange ratltications of the treaty made al
Jeddo In 1855, which was to have been ratified
before, but has been postponed from time tC
time. But the novel embassy will imnroye
the opportunity to observe our customs, man.
ners, resources, and civilization, and will
carry oack with them q mass of information
concerning US to be introduced among their
countrymen. Thus far the Government has
seen more than courteous, even liberal, toward
their new friends, in furnishing them convey
ance both ways in steam frigates, and in ample
preparations for their reception and enter
tainment. 1t is cause no less creditable to
our Government than it will be in time advan-
tageous American diplomacy is gradually
making its way where European arms have
been foiled, and we may hope that this is the
beginning of measures which will link the
great Asiatic races with US in friendship and
interest-Bost0Iz Bee