The New York herald., 1863-11-01

AHA0 NOWV shVsAA 80
tions OF Ensland and France ia she
East.
We have, within few days, published intelli-
gence from Japan of an important character
The telegraphic summary is very meagre. and
we have not the dates of the occurrences that
are reported to have taken place But these,
with further details, will reach us when our files
come to hand. 1t appears that the feet of the
British Admiral Kuper had arrived at Ragose-
ma, and, failing to obtain satisfaction for his de-
mands, he fired upon the city utterly destroyed
it, burned three steamers, and returned to
Yokohama. The palace Of Prince Satzuma, the
factories and the public arsenals were all in
volve d in the common ruin.
Our readers may recollect that certain de-
mands were made in July last upon the ia
panese government by Admiral Kuper They
included the payment Of El0,00O for the fami-
lies of the men murdered at the British Lega-
ton on the 26th of June. 1862, and 100000
as penalty on Japan for an attack on the
Tokiado, when British subject named Rich
ardson was killed. These sums were paid by
the Japanese ON the oath Of June last, about
year subsequent to the occurrence Of
the difficulties that caused the demands
AS stated at the time this was some
thing off the account; but heavy balance,
or, as the British Charge d'Afaires expressed
it, "the more important portion Of the repara-
ton required" remained behind, and that was
from the government an ample and formal apo
logy for permitting the attack, and from Prince
Satzuma the trial and execution Of the murder
ers Of Richardson and'the payment of e26,00O
for his relatives and to those who escaped the
swords Of the assasslns. Towards the end Of
June, after the tender Of two apologies, which
were not considered by the British Charge Of
sufficiently ample character, another and
more full and complete one was given. and
considered satisfactory. This seemed to end
matters for the moment But in the meantime
means we're taken by the native princes to
arouse the country; and everywhere the note
OF preparation was sounded, implements Of war
were made, forts were built and repaired, and
it was doubted II there was man in the couu-
try who would favor the introduction Of for
eigners. During tho greater part Of the year
the residences of the ambassadors for England
and France at Jeddo had been virtually aban-
doned, and negotiations were carried on at
Yokahama. The American Minister remained
at Jeddo until his house was burned down to
drive him out. The whole country was thrown
into state Of frenzy, the populace we're armed,
and the determination of all foreigners was
loudly and persistently demanded.
Prior to the intelligence received yesterday,
our latest reports from Japan brought us
rumors that the Prince Satz,,ma was waiting
for the British forces to commence hostilities in
his territories, and that he and bis allies-that
is to say, all the damics and romans in Kin-sin
and Shikohf, aud several in South Niphon-
would then retalate in any way they could.
There was another report, however, that Sat
yuma was anxious for q peaceful settlement.
and that he was willing to make q separate
treaty with Great Britain. That such has not
been the case is evident from the destruction Of
his city and palace by the guns of the British
Admiral. Thus has Great Britain, obedient to
her natural instincts, interposed ber rapacious
hand under plea Of demanding ipdemni6ca-
ton and satisfaction in o case where both were
once clearly accorded. and by so doing has
aroused the indignation and resentment of an
innocent and peace-loving people against the
whole civilized world, with perhaps the excep-
ton OF two vernments-Russia and the
Netherlands. The policy of both England and
France in regard to Japan has been that of
thwarting the designs Of the United States to
open lucrative commerce with the people of
that country, and exasperate the Japanese
against the Americans. The United States never
had cause to quarrel or fight with Japan until
the war steamer Wyoming was fred into, in
pursuance of the determination Of the Japanese,
incensed as they were by the demands Of Brit
ish admirals and vice-cousuls, to exterminate
all foreigners The Americans have always
been on terms Of peace and good will with
these people, and their treaties and commercial
compacts were never violated until the envy
and jealousy Of the English and French aroused
the hate of the natives. and caused the Ameri-
cans TO be included in the sweeping determina-
ton to wipe out all traces of the existence Of
foreign footstep on their soil.
We have no interest in the quarrels OF the
Japanese with the European Powers further
than may be demanded by the dictates of hu-
manity or the requirements Of civilization. We
do not wish to quarrel with them II is not our
policy to make enemies of them. or any other
foreign people. Every consideration of COM
mercial character points to different line of
conduct; and il is unfortunate that any com.
mander in our navy should have felt obliged to
have fred hostile gun upon Japanese fort
or vessel and ii Is still more unfortunate that
our former good friends should have struck
the first blow, and that, too, out Of
mistaken notion Of our Identification
with the acts OF a jealous, grasping Power like
that Of Great Britain. But this destruction Of
the rich city Of Ragosena Is perhaps only the
beginning of series Of disastrous and bloody
attacks upon the territory and people Of Japan
by the British. When once the British lion
places his paws upon an unofending and inno-