The New York herald., 1868-05-22
J A p A N
Offended Christianity Appeased
by Heathen Blood.
Politics, Diplomacy and Hari-
Kari.

Political Maneuvres OF the Tycoon and Dai.
mies-The French Dimculty-Nativc Process
sionists Insulted-Fire ON the French-1,he
Japanese Ohicer Sentenced to Death-scens
aa the Hari Kari-Chrlstianity Protecting
YOKOHAMA, Japan, March IL, 1868.
Report has It that the Tycoon Stotsbashi is said Il
have fully acquainted himself with the position O
the southern daimios by means Of his spies, ant
satisfied that with the backing Of the English ant
American ministers they are too strong for him fol
the present. has retired into the priesthood where
by the laws Of the country his life and liberty are
safe. That he has resigned his temporal power TO
Kishiu one Of the three great heads Of the daimlos
OF the north, and that he win resume sway When
ever the ealousies now dsintegrating the southern
coalition hostile to him shall have rendered oppos
tion feasible. This do not believe on several ac
counts the chief OF which is that the step was re-
ported two iays ago and still we are at fokohana
under the Tycoon's Officers guarded by his troops ~
every outlet against hostilities and paying custom
duties to his Custom House officials III 1t ls so his
epitaph may be written, "ded OF foreign mlhsterial
In INV last an unfortunate ARRAY was spoken Of as
having originated at Hiogo from the reckless con-
duct OF two French marines, who persisted In cross
ing the head Of a Japanese column, which ls known
to every In Japan-newly arrived or old settler
Japanese soldiers (retatners of Prince Bzen) fired
volley and wounded three people-one an American
The column was commanded by Karoo of Bizen's,
who as far as known, not directly to blame for
the conduct OF his incensed soldery. However, Sir
violent BritOn knlghted because the Chinese failed
once to hang him after some trouble he created as an
attache to the British Legation, followed by the
United States representative, insisted on reparaton
and the new faction to whom they have transferred
their credentials probably curry favor procured on
order from the boy Mikado Empcror) for this blood
thirst1ness TO be quenched AT half past ten O'Clock
on the evening OF March the satisfaction was made.
n vpn
all but the VICTIM stood body OF Europeans and
Amercans-a few drawn by morbid curiosity and
few more representing the foreign ministers, and
near them small body OF japanese officials and
guards.
himself on the pavement Of the temple In an open
space, commenced a droning, monotonous recita-
OF this officer noisefessy approached behind him,
with the long, keen edged, two handed sword of
Japan and waited until The chant was finished,
and then, after the karoo had performed "hari
kar by ripping open his belly with his knife, smote
ms head OF. BY THIS latter step the family of the
poor suicide not degraded nor his property con-
Ilscated, as he fulfilled the command and his servant
only put him out OF his misery" and as the bloody,
dIsemboweled, headless trunk lel, forward on the
pavement, on which the death scoIning karoo had
sat- the Christians, satisfied for the woundng of three
the command Of the victim, went ont, leaving the
friends OF the dead karoo TO bury him.
We spend millioas every year 10 send out mission
aries; we frame laws requiring the death penalty to
be reserved for the worst crimes and try to cviize
the poor heathens TO initiate these Christian laws,
countries who ''assist" at suicide where apology
ind perhaps indemnity money would have been am
pie reparation. For Englishmen who blow Sepoys
from the guns and use unheard of cruelties toward
oil Offenders Of darker skin this may satisfy; but
for Americans, claiming higher nober civzatlon, it
ts simply brutal and shocking.
Had our Minister in own country delegated
pm official to be present at "a suicide he would
have accounted for the crime before twelve OF his
peers. Here armed with "eXtra territorial' powers
lhe laws OF civilization and Christianity are all set ut
defiance
The defence is ''the Japanese laws.n Away with
Puch laws whence they originated say all men not
blinded by diplomacy Can the laws OF Japan super
pede the laws OF Christianity in governing the actions
Of ministers representing Christian communitesS
IL 1s useless now, with that MANNED corpse buried,
70 speak OF the evil policy OF this rigorous demand
Tor bl0Od useesss to test the justice of 10 by sup
posing the offence to have been committed by for
elgner against Japanese The foul deed Is done.
Tho English ana American Ministers have deputed
pubordnates TO see In an ocial capacity, suicide
committed for an offence by the suicides justly in
rensed men. 1t only remains to be seen IT, among
those nations TO whose morality and charity the
whole world looks for leadership there will not arise
voices demandng.a rebuke, severe and decisive, for
aastardy murder whose only redeemlng trait was
the cool seli-possession Of the heatnen victim.