New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-26
JAPAN.

TIE PERSECUTION OF NATIVE CHRISTIANS
PROTEST OF FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES,
AND REPLY OF THE JAPANEsE-THE MlkADo
VS.. TIE POPE-ENERGY OF THE JEsulIs-
NATURE OF THE PERSECUTION.
YOKOHAMA, Jan. 23-Two years ago it will
be remembered that the japanese Government carried
Oh system of persecution Of native Christians mostly
found in the vicinity Of Nagasak. number oil
steamers loaded with these deenseess people VINO
from their homes and condemned to perpeuai
Punishment in distant parts OF the Empire The shreks
and agony Of the poor described by those
who witnessed this persecution heartrendDg Aeiy
war which has ended in the overthrow OF one OF the
oldest dynases OF the world interrupted for time tho
proceedings thswork begun and carried on with such
Vigor. Peace having been established, the new
dynasty has resumed the old barbarism. As ever
the proselytes found mostly in the vicinity OF
Nagasaki and as fast they be hunted down they
are crowded on board the steamer and sent TO their
destination II is rumored that mosof them aresthrown
INTO the when out Of sight OF land. but this doubt
sir Harry Parks the English Minister, has just re-
turned from Nagasaki, where he saw confrma-
ton Of the report Of the renewal Of prosecutions, and
our Consul testihes to the fact. Being on the
ground the English Minister entered formal protest,
but without effect the local authorities acting entirely
under the direction Of the Yeddo Government On his
few days ago he represented the case to the
various representatives Of the treaty powers and II was
decided present themselves in body 10 the Govern
of the Nagasak Christians The united action Of the
ministers brought together corresponding body OF
officers Of high rank from the Government and the pro-
eeedngs between them Of the most interesting
character The japanese replied twth spirit that the
matter belonging TO them alone and that they
were not responsible to foreign powers.
They gave as reasons for other actions those which
governed the founder Of the old dynasty two hundred
and fifty years ago. when the Jesuits werelexpeed from
The country and adberens tortured and massacred
py thousands The fear that the PROSECUTING OF their
people may lead spirit OF discomfort and finally I'M
aermine the tmehonored institutions of their Govern
ment, which is based upon the Mkadoshp. The Mikado
IA held by the japanese be lnea descendant OF the
goddess Tenshiodag the OF their race AS such
he is the head Of the sbnto religion and to
any other faith Decestates the recognition OF another
head spiritually higher than be.
To tins the foreign minister reoned how IL you
permit Buddhism, which has no origin with
me lMikadoshpl The japanese evasively re-
Piled that the Mikado recognized by the
Buddhists The prOselytes, fai known
are Roman Catholic converts OF the Jesuits who sl
have great influence the people AS the Pope Is
their head he necessarily in direct spiritual
hiet with the Mkadc, whose creatures complain that
the country has again been opened TO foreign inter
the Jesuts have abors among
people with renewed energy and alarming success
carrying tLer zeal so far as to hold meetings by
night and having taken possession Of Of ten sacred
temples for their especial The japanese deny that
the persecution is Of any great severity they do
not separate families but furnish them with food and
clothing and merely distribute them among the various
princes who have control them. aud charged
with preventing them from forming any organization
which might be dangerous the welfare Of the Govern.
ment