The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-25
The state OF Affairs In J.v.n,


] possession of Yokohama news to the 3Oth of
| December. From all that we can gather it
would appear that matters are in anything but
satisfactory state between the foreign resi-
dents and the Japanese. All of the former are
IN a state OF armed preparation, and the feeling
] on both sides Is represented to be extremely
bftter. Trade Is inactive. owing to the disn-
clination of the government to foster it; but
building operations are advancing rapidly.
Itzabues, that are really worth only thirty three
cents, are rated at forty cents by the japanese,
! and American gold is only worth sixty-fve
| cents per dollar. The intercourse however,
with China has increased so far as TO induce
the Peninsuiar and Oriental Company to run
steamers fortnightly between Shanghae and
fokahama, carrying passengers, mails and
freight. There were no less than eleven foreign
en-of-war in the latter port at the time of our
correspondents writing-namely, FIVE English,
two French, three Prussian and one Dutch.
The Prussians had not succee ded ia negotiating
treaty with the Japanese government, but it
was hoped that under the auspices Of the Eng
lish and French they would shortly succeed,
General Sir Hope Grant, commander Of the Eng
lish land forces in China, had visited Jeddo with
his military staff, and departed after few days
stay. The allied feet, from the Peiho, was ap-
pointed to winter at Yokohama
A serious difficulty had occurred between
the English and native authorities. A man
named Moss, British subject, had gone out on
the 9th of November on wild goose shooting
excursion, in violation of the Japanese game
laws. He was accompanied by a native, who,
on returning through Yokohama, with dead
bird slung across his shoulder, was observed
by some Of the police of Yokohama, who de-
manded the name and address of Moss, which
the latter refused. Thereupon they informed
the Mayor, who proceeded in person to pro-
cure his arrest, and also that of the Japanese
who accompanied him 10 endeavoring to
carry out this intention struggle took place,
in which the native goose carrier was seriously
shot Moss was finally arrested and conveyed
to prison, upon hearing which the British
Minister and Consul expressed great indigna-
ton, and demanded his immediate surrender,
coupled with a threat to blow up the Cover
nors Palace in the event of noncompliance.
There being at that time no English vessel-of-
war in port, the Minister enlisted the aid of the
Prussian Commodore, who placed mea, how
tiers and boats at his disposal; but these were
fortunately not called into requisition. After
twenty-four hours Imprisonment Moss was
delivered up, and subsequently tried before
the Consular Court, and sentenced to three
months Imprisonment, and to pay fine Of one
thousand dollars and suffer deportation
from Japan. The manner in which Messrs
Alcock and Vyse-the Minister and Con-
sul-conducted this trial created intense
i'll feeling, not only on the part of
the prisoner and the native authorities,
but the English also. The evidence was sngu-
larly contradictory, and the witnesses numerous
on both sides. 1t appears that the Japanese
was shot accidentally, and then not at the hand
of Moss. The British residents took his part
and maintained that his arrest ought not to have
been attempted under the circumstances. We
have no opportunity of judging of the exact
merits Of the case, but it is evident that such
occurrences do vast amount Of harm in pre-
JUDGING the japanese against foreign residents;
and it would seem that both Mr.. Alcock
and Captain yyse were altogether too precipi-
tate in their threats to the japanese.
The next point Of interest in the news is the
proposed Embassy to England next sum-
mer. The japanese, we learn, have applied to
Mr.. Townsend Harris to know if American Off
GERS could be procured to navigate steamer
there and back. Where the japanese intend
to get the steamer from which is to make this
voyage is uncertain.
1t is satisfactory to find that the report which
reached us by way of Europe few days ago,
to the effect that despatch from Calcutta, dated
the 18th January, stated that the American
| Minister had been repulsed from Japan
| cannot be true, as between the end of Deem
Der and the date mentioned no message could
have travelled from Japan to Calcutta. The
| Dutch Consul General has demanded ten thou
sand dollars compensation for one of his SER
| wants. who was killed by japanese officials;
| aud this circumstance does anything but in.
crease the cordially of the relations subsisting
between Japan and the Netherlands, We sin
| cerely trust that both Europeans and Orientals
may speedily adjust their difficulties in the
| realm Of the Rising Sun, which travellers have
hitherto represented as the Paradise of Eastern
lands, but which does not appear to be exactly
the Garden of Eden it has been represented.
We are, however, sanguine OF the good re.
suits of the late Embassy.
| ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE SwNDLE.-There is a
bill now before the Legislature to incorporate
'the Accommodation Passenger and Freight
Brooklyn. The object OF this enterprise is, we
understand, to concentrate in the hands of a
single monopoly all the carrying and pas
senger traffic of the two cities. 1t is evident
that such a scheme cannot work to the satisfac
| ton of the public. 1t excludes competition
| which is the only protection the community
have against the abuse Of the privileges con-
| radad IN nuhlic comnanips and IL crushaa ont