The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-18
JAPAN.

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Revolutionary Cousequenccs-An An Client
Dynasty Deposed-spoiIs Of Warning.
lands Game and Present Gain-Position
of FOreigners-FiuanciaI and Commercial
Observation-Disclosures Of Silk.
YOKOHAMA, July %, 1869.
At length this "cruel wars Is over; but for what
space OF time Japan is destined TO enjoy the bless
tngs OF peace IS exceedingly problematical. The
fort at Kamida the only stronghold that was not
known 10 have opened It's gates to the imperial
army at the time the last mail left had surrendered
on the cath. After the fall of Hakodadi the imperial
general demanded the surrender Of Kamida, and,
With strange inconsistency had sent the garrison.
before he knew Ennomottos answer provisions and
water Of which they stood mucH In need. The
only condition that Ennomotto demanded
was that his troops should be guaranteed
their lives. This was granted. For himself
he asked nothing. He is now in Jeddo awaiting
his sentence. SO far the revolution has succeeded.
In the space Of eighteen months the whole form of
the government has been changed. The Tokugawa
family, that had held power for the last 800
years, has been entirely demorallzed and the
glory has departed from their house. The Southern
princes are now In power and the great desire of
the English Minister has been gratlfed.
Satsuna, Chosin aud T0sa have divided the loaves
and fishes between themselves and their friends.
Satsuma Is at the head Of the Treasury, Cholsn OF
the army and Tosa OF the navy. Achlsen warm
adherent OF Satsuma, but who threatened to kick
the traces short time ago, has been appointed
Chief Adviser TO the Mikado. The exact nature OF
this latter appointment 1t is difficult TO comprehend.
1t Is said that he ranks next to the
Mkado; but has he any powerf This ques-
ton, like q good many others relating to ia
Z
his income has been increased 20, 900 kokus while
that OF tne other three has been increased 100000
Besides this Satsuma, Cholsin and Tosa only are to
be allowed to retain their own armies and terrific.
res All the rest are to give up their forces and do
minions to the government, receiving therefor their
entire valuation in klnsatz paper money, and
to be allowed their usual incomes, and each will be
Governor Of the territory SO ceded, but the owner
ship is to be with the Mikado. This Is the pro-
gramme laid down by Satsuma and company, but 1t
Is doubtful whether 1t viii be carried out Undoubt-
edly Satsuma is playing strong game. Let US sup.
pose that he succeeds in his designs the result win
the hands OF the trio, with Satsuma holding the
purse. All the other daim0s reduced to simple ba-
rons, with no armies nor muniuons of war, can
cause them no great amount OF trouble. Then will
the second trick Of his game. II he and Choisin
combine against Tosa, they Will be able with very lit
tie dbcuy to reduce him to the level Of the others
and then 1t will be an affair between the two worthless
themselves. A struggle between Satsuma and
ChOsin can have but one rosult-thc latter Will be
the under DOG and then Satsuma will be the des.
potc ruler OF ali Japan: THAT this Is his game !
have not the slightest doubt and II t should sue.
coed it viii tend ultimately to the great good OF
the country, by destroying the perniclous feudal
system Ba. rne success s., OF tn,s plan depends OF
mics to be dlsarmed and deprived OF the owner
ship of their territory. Already the order has
daimios have left Jeddo for their own homes. NV
own opinion is that the great body OF the princes
grand struggle; but unless they evince more unity
OF action, mtre ability and courage than did the
Tokugawas and their friends, they may as wei
submit at once. And unity Of action does look
like an impo5sblliy.
AS nave said, the English Minister has won his
game. But believe had he been gifted with tile
power OF looking two years ahead when he first
commenced his Vaccinations against the Tycoon,
he would have hestated before he TOOK the path he
did. What Is the position Of affairs gave you, In
former letter, 'twentyfour questions submitted
by the Foreign once TO be discussed by the called
Parliament now In session at Jeddo, most of them
relating to the position OF foreigners in Japan.
These questions have been discussed and the debate
That took place ia this assembly clearly showed that
there was large majority opposed TO foreign inter-
course. Foreigners were freely natterei with the
pet appellatons OF "dogs," "beastsn devils" &C.,
and unfavorably compared with the very lowest
class Of coolies. The question was raised whether
II would not be best to drive all foreigners out Of
the country, even at the risk Of a war with most
OF the foreign Powers, and on a vote being
taken was lost by majority OF tnirty only
There were e, over over 25o members present. on the
Sir Harry Parkes mas admitted In an address 10 the
Chamber OF Commerce that he believed that II
vote were taken Throughout the country there would
be found large majority In favor OF non-inter-
course with foreigners Such is the deiectabie posi-
tlon which the diplomacy OF Sir Harry aud the mas.
terry inactivity OF the other ministers have wrought
for foreigners In Japan.
But, although the "Japs' think II 'inexpedientr
TO go to war with the western Powers, 1t strikes me
that they are not entirely without hope OF being
able TO effect their purpose by other means. They
are trying the game OF starving foreigners ont by
their indirect stoppa2e OF trade through their
currency. They have forced kiasatz into @
only do they force the Japanese mer.
chant TO part with his goods for this paper
token, but they also MAKE him give up his silver for
the same at par The effect 10 evident. The foreign
merchant refuses to take kinsatz for hls goods.
Consequently the Jape can't buy, and the Japs are
not bound TO take klnsatz from foreigners. The
consequence Is that trade IL almost entirely at
standstlll All the "go-d0wnsn fwarehouses) are fed
with foreign goods, with very little chance OF their
buys tea or silk must take his hard coin into the
interior for settlement. Some refnonstrance has
been made to this financial confusion BY the English
Minister (of course IL Is not to be expected that the
American Minister would move In the matter, and
what at first looked like concession wac made,
which was that instead OF using So 900 rios 10
Is four b00sl re6ecmablo in thirteen years they
would issue only $4,000 900 rios redeemable In three
years. Now 1t has always been question whether
they could, and II they could whether they
would, redeem their Obligations in thirteen years.
Now II they could not pay OF 60,0o0,000 rios
IN thirteen years, how are they going TO redeem
32,00o000 In three yearsi For the fact IL the
Japs themselves give ~ one OF the rcaaons for
they made u on account OF the difficulty they
would have 10 make provisions for the redemption
OF the first named sum. The logic ~ OF the reason.
Ing ~ OBVIOUS.