The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-12-30
MIR. SEWARD IN JAPAN.
His Extraordinary Interview with
the MikadO.

His Extraordinary Interview with
the MikadO.
NEW YoNK, Dec. 90.
The 7riBun6s Yeddo correspondent
writes the particulars Of Hon. WIN. II.
Stewards extraordinary interview with
the ruler Of Japan. That Mr.. Seward was
greatly pleased with the unusual cOmpll-
ment he did not hesitate To declare. 1t is
saidthat the desire hnsfXed itselisOmcwhat
firmly in his mind Of personally visiting,
during his tour around the world, soVer'
cigns Of various nations with whom his
diplomatic career has made him acqualnt-
cd. That interview was in direct contra
diction to all the traditions Of the country
Everybody is well aware he has his es.
pcCial theory IN explanation Of the anom-
nly. Some favor the suppOsition that the de.
sire to gain favorable and C0nCilialory
word from him at the Russian Capital In
regard to the vcXCd Saghalien question
wns the secret cause for the concession.
Others discover in III recognition
OF the singular service. rendered
the present japanese government by the
State Department in lSO1 when thcGX.Scc'
rctary, by sAnCtioning the Withholding
of the StOnewAll from It's real purchaser,
the Tycoon, and permitting It's transfer To
another authority, materially assisted the
projects OF the cOnspir8tors, who acted in
the MikRdO's name, and who succeeded in
placing the monarch in n position Ofactual
as well as nominal supremacy. The cor
respondent says that the MikadO's gov
crnmcnt might well be animated by lcel-
ings Of very deep gratitude toward all
who were concerned, however Indirectly,
in that extraordinary transaction, IS
easily understood; butapart from the fact
that SO straightforward a method of nc
knOwlcdging an obligation, would hard.
ly commend itself to the japanese mind I,
Il is more probable that the present ad.
ministrntion is really disposed TO relax the
severity Of old usagcs, aud was ready to
welcome any fitting opportunity Of re-
moving those barriers Of restraint and
seclusiOn which have ceased 10 serve the
purpose for which they were established
The first movement in this direction was
during the visit Of the Duke OF Edinburgh,
when most vigorous and ancient fOrmali-
ties were dispensed with Although less
violent transition than that involved In
passing directly from guest possessing
the double distinction Of royal blood and
CaptainCy in the British navy to one
whose claims to distinction are pure
" republican, and at present un-
official, would perhaps have been pre-
lerred, the greeting was offered with
very good grace, and, owing in a great
part to the representations Of Minister
DelOng, who heartily seconded lie Wards
desire, it was made to assume the charaC-
ter of iriendlinCss and familiarity
such us the reception Of an English
Prince ut no time called forth. Before
Mr.. Stewards arrival the Minister had no.
tilted his approach TO the japanese officials
and had been requested by them to an.
n0unce his landing, the proposed time Of
his visit and the time when it would be
convenient for him 10 come 10 the Capi.
tai. The Ministers Of State were eager TO
extend 10 him a distinguished and cor.
dial welcome and invited Mr.. Seward TO
breakfast, but he declined with dignity
and intimated that he would deal even in
congratulations with no less person than
the ruler of the empire himself Finally
the Japanese prccedcnts were violated,
and the Mikado willingly and cordially
extended to him hearty welcome. Among
the prominent persons at the reception
were the MikadO, Mr.. Seward, Prime Min.
ister, Mr.. De Long, Chief Minister for For
eign Affairs, Mr.. Sheppard, lschibashi, the
sword bearer, the Mikados secretary, and
the entire privy council, DaJOkwan. The
speeches were brici but telicilOus, and all
things considered the conference could
not have been more satisfactory. The
observations of the MikadO were at least US
cordial as and not less spontaneous than
those which the European mOnarchs are
in the habit Of addressing TO their visitors.
Mr. SewArd's desire to meet the ruler Of
Japan was gratitied in the most complete
and complimentary manner. Lot only
was the incident without precedent in
the annals Of this country, but It
was attended with circumstances
that showed an unusual abandonment Ol
established customs. Although the MikadO
remained seated during the interview, he
was entirely unveiled by a screen or cur.
tain. Up to this time, even the foreign am.
bAssadOrs had only been allowed TO look
upon part Of his person ut a time, his
lower extrcmities or face being always
concealed, and instead of being surround.
ed by OStentatiOus emblems Of power and
supremacy, his only visible attendants
were single guard and officer who SUP.
piled him with manuscripts containing
his share ofconversation.