New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-05-20
JAPAN.
THE REvaUrIoS.

From Our OSh correspondent
s" rf SHANGHAI, March as, 1905
The Isles of the Rising Sun are in the throes of q
revolution revolution that does not take by sur
prise those who have studied the poty of Japan.
IL was easy to foresee that her double Government
and feuda institutions could not long remain intact
while exposed to the abrasion Of occidental iniu-
ence. ID was manifest either that Shogoon Nil
kado or some powerful daimio would soon aim TO
consolidate all power in his person. To this So
luton of the political questions that ag,tate the
country all friends of Japan looked as her only
chance of peaceful prosperity. a strong central
government is one of the great needs of that coun
ton must continue 10 be her portion. ~ .i nf
short time ago it was supposed that Stotsbashi,
young prince Of great promise, who had Just then
been selected for the Shogoonate. would be found
adequate to the emergency, that he would maintan
his power against the Mikado, titular sovereign,
curb the insoent daimios and inauguIate am era of
peaceful progress for his country. BY the Shoqooa,
mean the ruler TO whom foreign writer's on Japan
apply the missioner Tycoon, and Temporal Emperor.
Unfortunately as IL appears, Mt the present mo
ment Stotsbashl made an erroneous estimate of
the relative power of the shogoonate and tho
damios, barOns or princes of the empire HIS pre,ie-
cessOr had organized an army on French model his
troops had been drilled by French officers and sup
piled with arms and all the munitions of war from
the same source. Among his steam vessels was the
the historic Shenandoah. But with still more
yigor did several Of the southern daimlos cultivate
the art of war; and far lavshly did they spend
money IN purchasing foreign weapons ana steamers.
most southern OF the provinces or Japan. These
daImos at first opposed TO foreign intercourse,
but when it appeared that foreign commerce was
adding 10 the power aud wealth Of the central Gov
erninebt men demanded the right of opening their
own ports TO the stranger and to share IN the pros
which accrued from maritime traffic. Hence the
| civil war that occurred year ago. and hence the
conflict that has just taken place, the former weaken
Ing the Shag00n and the latter almost annihiiatiDs
| his power and authority. ....,.. =,
This In few words describes the SITUATION "a
Japan. 1t would but weary the reader wei1 " ~
scribe the military operations thai aitehaea tnc -
struggle on the shores of the Inland sea- anun Neuo
not add much TO his stock OF useful khowieage
10 give an ANALYSIS of the manitestos wnen tne
event has brought forth. Those who have the POI
itics OF score of other nations 10 study 70 say no
inc of home affairs do not care TO be particularly NJ
formed touching the intrignes OF o petty empire
Suffice Il 10 say that the Staslashi has been aeeoset
| and the Shopoonate abolished The power OF "a
Mikado tituar sovereign tspirituai Emperor Oh W.
hoaksj las been restored. but restrained ny eoun
| eli Where the damios are dominant IN short "a
form af double rule has been abandoned aud tn
, GERM Of representative government created
Changes which are so important as TO merit the tern
, We shall be much disappointed II this revolution
does not prove a blessing 60 Japan. lt Ia likely 3
, secnre for foreigners all the kindness they ca
reasonably ask and lead 20 the Moderation OF Oh
condition of the masses socially. morally, and IN
telectually and. perhaps, as further consequence
to their Improvement physically.