New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-07-13


From Our Special Correspondents
YOKOHAMA, June 2, 1863.
Your readers have all, ere this, been APP
prised OF the fact that civil is raging in this
country. knowledge Of this fact VIII no doubt con-
tribute TO awaken desire 10 know OF the japanese
people and Government, as also Of the nature and
the pending conflict In order TO understand
the clearly necessary conceive the governing
powers as forming three classes, existing in three
rather distinct clusters The first Of these, which is also
the most ancient and most honorable, consists OF the
Mikado and his relatives The Mikado is popularity re-
garded neal descendant Of the demgods who ruled
In Japan during the unhistorc period which terminated
about 2OO years ago. At first he exercised all power as
well the power Of declaring and waging war, as the
power Of governing the country during fine OF peace
In process OF time the Mikado and his relatives
gave themselves up literature and luxury and lost the
taste they once had for the stirring scenes OF military
life. This state Of things rise to second class OF
rulers called DaimOs. At first when the MkadO and his
relatives who are called Kuges ceased TO take personal
oversight OF the aHafs Oh the nation, governors were
located In the various provinces These governors gradu
ally became hereditary princes ana lords OF he region
OF Dalmlos. All the Daimio families are not equally
ancient nor equally powerful. some Dalmos uate rom
ancient times ana some are OF modern OIlni some arc
very powerful and rule extensive territory others
weak and their domain confined to narrow boundaries.
he number OF these independent heredtaIy princes ana
Tor long tme has been very considerable After inns
class once fairly established, wars between the
Damlos 0nd Mikado, ana also between rival DaimOls,
became matter Of frequent occurrence, and this led to
j. G.,
Taikun, and those whom he has elevated TO
rank and power. The Shotgun at first was
cOmmandern-chief OF the Japanese Army. He received
his instructions from the MkadO. This Office Of Shotgun
and the military class called into existence about 800
ago. and for while thereafter no evil results fol
lowed AT length, however as the shoGun gained power
the head OF his army he ceased to regard the defense
pleased About $50 years ago a man known in Japanese
history GOngensama the founder OF the late dynasty
land MkadO, Kugeis Daimios all submitted TO his
sway and that of his for long period I'll
quite recently Con Sama the founder OF the TAI
kunae, also founded various grades Of nobility; and
there are now not few princes who owe their power
devoted TO his cause form the third, and Of
late years by far the most powerful ruling
abolished it is said but will have TO wait and see the
end OF the present. war before pronounce positively
by Con genSama every precautiOn has been used 10
secure the permanently Of the Government Foreigners
wrecked or driven 20 "A foreign shore, his return 10
japan he was imprisoned. II fool or approNlmatng
thereto he imprisoned only for or two; but II
he happened To DO man OF marked ability he was I'M.
prsonGd for life and all to preclude the possibility Of
Japan Like strctness exercised toward tho van
pushed Daimos Instead OF residing in their castles IN
Yeddo with their wives aud children hostages, under
the eye Of the shoGun, or were perhaps allowed as
special favor TO return 10 their castles Tor few
months during the year Thus the Japanese Government
kept firm hand on all who might be or might become
enemies within her borders and also kept up con
watch against all who might assl her from without
1t often happened before the advent OF foreigners That
DamiOs manifested hostility against the Government of
the shoGun Those OF the south western quarter have
for long time been waiting for favorable opportunity
throw the yoke Of the OpprcssOr In FORMER days.
before foreigners came and before foreign influence ne
10 be- felt, this was the prcyang spit OF lhe sG
gated DauiOs one Of their number Who had been Dorm
and educated In hs prison castle III leddO after having
been allowed to VISIT Ms own province au ateL
ally rebel against being required TO return 10 ledo ana
spend the greater part OF his hfe under me eye OF us
Jealous master But return hc must Tho shotgun was
powerful and the Dainio comparatively weak AT last,
the Port Of Yokohama aud other ports were opened aier
ItrtN IA ylfh
N.I "u S id tytT,ed IN trir several provinces
nom ,her bondge OF eSeGsri- who Knew heir Feel
iugs and the state Of the country could not iah
% SEQ that was not far OIL. The sho-Gui
aud his party reaped the benefits OF foreign trade aud
quccncd the jealousy aud hatred OF the Damos who had
forsakcn Yeddo. The hostile Damios especially those OF
with the relatives ~ the Mkldo the kugcs and these
against the shc at Ncddo IN the spring OF the present
year. when the foreign Ministers were 10 Osaca, ON bust
lyformcd conielcIacy uilached Shopuh = parry,
aud drove 10 from the south. The sh0 Gun and bis de
fcatcd forces returned 10 leddo aud ~ due time were o
lowed by We Nciois HOn Mako VINO quieuy TOOK pos
session 81 the great castle m Ncddo ana also OF the Gus
tomHousc 10 Yokohama The -h0Gun could not be pre-
vailed upon p take up arms against h- tieihes nc ae
cepted the terms 81 his couQueIors ana has retired into
private me- retaining ID h, service some oo men.
But the matter % not 20 ehd mere SeNca Biiho7 I'D to
North who their rank 10 the founder Of the sho un
yldcd. TEesc do not submit readily the shotgun
has done They show disposition 10 fight, aud "a few
tween the troops Ot the south west hud thosc OF lc
North. Tho advantage thus far appears TO be In
tive Dnnos Of the South are Choshu, satsuma and 70
"a. The most active OF the Northern Daimos j. Aidzw
Joining Prince Adzw, and thus he - becoming quite
powerful ana long the invaders from the south may
be- driven from NcddO aud tie ShoGun SET ON ms rect
again The adacrcuts OF the shotgun aud Of the North
party do not regard this movement against them rs
originating with the Mikado. who Is yet very young
man They regard the MikadO rs the mere Instrument
In the hands OF the southern party ana hrh,t tn'y "ie
We must await further developments before undertaking
10 determine what Will be the result one thing certain
aud that all the Independent Damos ought 10 be brought
into suborlMaton 10 II, and until THIS is TACT Occoh
pished II Will bc IN vain TO expect permanent peace
TIE ULTIMATUM or THE MKADO.
The following synopsis OF the translation OF
tile Mikado's uliimatum 10 the Tycoon whose proper
name seems be YOshIIisa, furnished by me Japan
eminent II premises that the Tycoon, having proceeded
such extreme ~ may be properly termed an nsu
Ia tho whole Empire aud having caused tie deepest pam
10 the mind OF the Emperor both sea ana hhu forces
sent 10 punish him Having learned, ho"rn'i, tl"s
of the Imperial compassion shall be exhausted ana inc
,n,ir, commands he epioincd upOn HIM. Jet hun be re-
spectfy obedcnt 10 them: period OF eleven DAYS Is
granted him In which 20 comply with all these orders
As the period of eleven days already matter 3l ce
ency upon no account Will any request OF complaint nc
listened TO- The Emperor having established both ills
authority and clemency will not allow any claim OF am
ance TO have influence WIN MN 10 DC Pfonpuy JUG
dent, and resort TO no subterfuge. ,- -, -, =,
The rst article OF the proclamation renearses now at
The iu,perial city and firing upon the imperial nag was
gulty OF a great crime. But since then ne has mani
tested sincere cOntron and has shut himself up IN re-
iircncnf cing Tor pardon In consideration Of the inn
portaut services rendered the state by the I0kugawa
family In administering 10 the Government during INC
last 700 years, and more especially tne heGumuateu
meitOrious services OF the late father ot NOsiSa IL Is
the imperial will that the following eomhhn1s be gwen
N thew are obeyed the mousse OF IOhugaWa VIII remain es
tabhed In their Daimaitecapal punishment VIII be
RENTED but Yossa IS cominlhueu 10 20 10 the castle
of Mlto and there 10 live shut mp IN retirement 90,
Article second commands that the castle ot the Sho
Gun az Yeddo be turned over 10 the Prince OF Ow2l
IrDII a