The New York herald., 1869-05-01
JAPAN.

JAPAN.
Tho Civil War-The Island Of Yesso-6ir
Harry Pnrkes-The KiOt0 Troubles-Yesso
Declared "A Republic-The Neutrality PrOcla-
nsafions-Fun Particulars of the Loss OF the
Herman.
Peace reigns in Japan. SO said the Mlkado some
three months ago, and SO declared the foreign
ministers on the 9th OF February On that day were
formally revoked the neutrality prOclamaons issued
by the respective ministers the 18th Of February,
1885, But peace can scarcely be said to exist. The
United States Minister states in his notification Of
February 9, A. CT
Having been officially informed of the cessation Of the state
the noneIistence of belgerens This country,I
lS6S, is withdrawn
Yet the Minister knows and everybody else in ia
pan knows that Ennomotto, with ABOUT 5000 OF the
Keras Of Tokugawas, holds possession Of the island
OF Yesso, including the port OF Hakodadi, against
the win Of the Mlkado; that the Mikado's govern
ment is making extensive preparations to dispossess
EnnOmotto, and that he and his followers are max
ing every preparation to resist. 1t is well known
that EnnOmOtto has declared the island Of fessO
republic, and has officially announced its indepen-
dence to the various consus who recognize other
authority but Ennomotto. Why, then, this cry Of
'Peace peace" when there is no peaceS stated
IN my last letter that Sir Harry Parkes, the English
Minister, who, although by no means Talley-
rand in diplomatic craft, was still 80 far
superior to his confreres as to be able
to influence the whole OF them, had forestalled the
combined action of the different ministers by is
suing proclamation forbdding English subjects
from giving aid TO the "rebesr at Yesso. Had Sir
Harry had his way the neutrality proclamations
would have been recalled months ago; but he has
At last succeeded in gaining his point and the coun
try Is declared to be at peace Nor Is the occupa-
ton Of Yesso by the dsanected the only circum-
stance that gives the lie to these peace proclama
tions Within the last few days we have rumOrs
tand although only rumors, there are too many
reasons for their probability entirely ignore them
that If true, will probably plunge the whole country
again into war; These reports to the effect that
Satsuma on one side, and Chosn ana Hosokawa on
the other, have quarreed, and that hostlites have
actually commenced.
A steamer which arrived here on the 9th from
Hio0o brought the intelligence that fight had taken
place at Kioto that some portions Of the city had
been red, the flames reaching the Mikados palace
who had to leave for Osaca. That such quarrel Is
not only possible but highly probable may be
assumed from the fact that II Is well known that dis
agreements have occurred between the great princes
who took part on the Mlkados side during the late
war; on account OF the division Of the spolls and the
arrogant assumption OF the Satsuma. Perhaps be-
fore this mail closes We shall receive intelligence
corroborating this report. In my opinion peace Is
long way from being permanent dweller in
Japan. Until some wise, powerful man assumes
the reins, who can crush the power OF the
different daimi0s and form consolidated gov
believe stotsbashI appreciated this truth, and
even attempted TO bring about that result But he
failed because ne tried too much. He was not con-
clllatory enough. Had he made friends with all the
dalmios save one, used every means to crush that
one and. having succeeded In that turned his atten
ton to another dalmIo he would have commenced q
work that might have resulted in the desired effect.
But he started with too many enemies at one time,
and instead OF conciatng some III order to husband
MS suength i0r the rest their combined power
crushed him. The significant fact that Ennomotto
has declared Yesso republic shows that some Of
she damios also entertain no very high regard for
the feuda power. But Ennomotto is not the man,
am afraid, TO carry out any very great REFORM He
seems TO lack that very requisite qualification
cessary 10 all leaders and re0rmers-the knowledge
when TO strike. Nevertheless, If another general
daimos that it win at least faciitae any movement
that may have for Its desired effect the dsarmIng OF
the daimios.
The Immediate result Of the withdrawal of the
neutrality prociamatons was presumably the hand
ing over OF the StonewaD. This, however, has not
yet been effected, that vessel still flies the Amerl-
can nag. The American Minister notified the Japan
ese authorities that he ready to hand her over
on their paying down the necessary amount OF
stamps, which will amount now to about 500, 900.
The japanese have expressed their readiness TO re-
ceive her, but 80 far the transfer has not been
eneced, owing probably 10 the advent OF the Japan
ese new year. the celebration OF which lasts fourteen
days. Besides, the japanese never do anything in q
hurry.
In my letter dated September 27 1t was my melan.
ch0ly duty 70 inform you OF serious accident that
had occurred TO the Pacific Mail steamship Her.
mann while on a cruise in the northern part OF
Japan. In this letter, q chronicler Of events |
must speak OF her for the last time, for have TO
port her total wreck. The Hermann was chartered
by the Japanese 10 take some troops from Jeddo to
Arramori Bay, place In the vicinity Of Hakodadi
and used by the government as q rendezvous for
troops for the intended operations against Yesso.
When she left Yokohama Tor Jeddo ON the 10th ult
% o the e Senera the peF
here Captain Harvey was removed at Jeddo, and
when the vessel reached Yokohama Mr.. Newell
placed in command He left Yokohama at
noon on the 18th ult., with from $50 to
400 Japanese passengers on board, and crew Of
eighty officers and men, all told About half past
nve O'Clock Z. NJ they had reached about six miles
east from Cape King. Cape King is'twenty-three
east and the vessel was Kept along, as the captain
thought about i've miles from shore, ct the rate OF
by north-half-nortn. The night was exceedingly
dark and scarcely anything could be seen. AT about
nine O'Clock 7. NJ. the captain, VINO was on deck,
aft, examining the compass, was informed that
there were breakers ahead and on the port bow.
almost before The vessel had time is 10 answer sSe
struck. The first blow must have knocked ner bot
tom almost clean out, for Immediately thereafter
The chief engineer went down to the fire room
and found four inches OF water the
noor, and the freroom ioor is four feet above the
keeson. The vessel began TO break up almost im-
mediately. Three OF the ships boats washed
away from the davits, into which some OF the
frightened passengers Jumped. Some never reached
the boats, and those that did were capsZed The
Otner three boats were then lowered and irnme-
diatey hlled with crew and passengers. Two OF
these swamped In a few seconds after leaving the
ship; the other one steered by the second mate
reached land IN safety. From the chief engineer,
Michael Quin, late OF the United States navy. who
was In this last mentioned boat, learned that after
pulling through two lines OF breakers they reached
srnaH cove which, however became rapidly
Ch0ked up with the pieces OF the breaking Ship
The captain remained on the wreck all night, TO-
gether with about 100 passengers and the first mate
The latter and several passengers were swept away
by the sea, and the captain, who remained on the
wheen0use. the only part OF the ship above water,
was almost frozen to death. The following morning
at daylight the weather having moderated the boat
that nad the previous night got ashore being the
only surviving one, put OF with some Japanese isn
Ing boats TO the wreck which only about three.
quarters OF q mile from land. At this time nothing
was visible above the water but the warehouses
and the mainmast the foremast having gone en-.