The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-03-20
Japan and the United States.

1t would seem as though troubles were brew
ing for Us across the Pacific, among the very
people that our cOuntrymen took such pains Ias'
summer TO honor with faitering reception
One OF the first subjects 10 which the attention
Of the new Administration viii have 10 be drec-
ted, is the i'll treatment al the hands OF the Jap
anese iaidej aud ab tied by the officals) witch
our count, ymea, in common with the EaSish,
French and other foreigners in Japan have ex
perienced. As tar as We are Yet aware, there
has been no provocation on the part Of the
American visitors and residents. This seems TO
have been given mainly by the English Consus
and merchants, especially by one of them. When
such acts as are recorded of that person, are
wantonly perpetrated, we cannot be surprised at
the Indignation shown BY the natives; but the
singular part of the business is that in the par
ticular case to which We allude, the authorities
behaved with great forbearance, while in other
cases they have exceeded the people in viudc-
tiveness. The English and French have strong
sauadrons in Japanese waters, and at the latest
advices we're about to make demonstration.
force there sufficient to protect our interests
and TO enforce the stipulaiions Of our treaty.
Whether the allies have any further designs upon
japan, than to intmidate tie nation into submis
sion TO such conduct as their representatives
may think proper 10 adopt 10 ards any and every
body with whom they come in contact, We can
not say; but we ave shrewd suspicion that
some snug little harbcr Ike Cowoon, or some
island Ike Hong Kong, TO serve for a military
station in the nSighborhood of the japanese
some pretence or other. This has been the
steady policy ct the British and other European
gov ernments, ever since the passage to India
round the Cape of Good Hope, was discovered.
rhe modest title Of " factory" was first adopted
for this species of encroachment; but now the
mask is boldly thrown off, and no search is made
OF the purpose, for which such cession OF terri.
tory is required We believe tha, the continued
aggression of the English in India and China,
lies the seat of the hostility of the Japanese,
towards foreigners. This is natural enough.
They have seen the vast and popuous peninsula
% Iudis, absorbed piece by piece, until the whole
has disappeared down the capacious NAV OF the
invader. They have seen the vast empire OF
| by no very great .xertion on his part, and they
anticipate that il will be their turn next We
had hoped that the visit of the japanese embassy
| TO this country would have borne better fruit.
The Princes who had composed it were among
the leading men of their ration. Every facility
was gwen TO them :or acquiring information, as
| to the working of our Institutions, and to the
principles on which our foreign policy is con.
Quoted. Our ciiz ns went out Of the way to
heap c;vilities upon them, ana 10 prove 10 them,
from whatever land he may come; ard We should
be loath to think that these Oricntals were prac.
Using deception upon Us, when they assured US
of their heartfelt gratitude for their reception,
aud promised us a welcome in japan. or that
on their arrival home they fasihcd our mo.
tives and msrepresent,d us. We would rather
believe tia, they have done their best 10 pay
our efforts, but they have yet been unable to
produce much effect upon the minds OF theiI
| countfymeu The misconduct of the represen.
tatives of other countries is surely matter
which government may take notice OF, when
il involves own citizens IN trOuse. Re-
monSra,ices might be made 10 the British gov
erIn,eit, as to The retcnt or in Japan OF Consuls
| and others who have shown 30 little coDs:dera
tion for the feelings If so sensitive and peculiar
a people az the Japanese. The character, al
well as the interest Of the whole civilized world
is involved in the selection Of fitting agents &c
| transact international business with those, whom
This Is fact which has not always been taken
into consideration by the European Powers, but
il is one which needs to be impressed upon them