The Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1870-1875, 1870-12-30
TELEGRAPHIC.
seward ard ne Mikado OF japan.


Seward an d the MikadO OF Japan.
New York, December 20. - The
TSibune's Yeddo correspondent writes
the particulars of Hon. w. III. Sew
ards extra ordinary interview with
the ruler of Japan: That Seward was
greatly pleased with the unusual COM
pliment. he did not hesitate to de-
clare. Il is said that a desire has
fixed itself somewhat formally In his
miad, of personally visiting, during
his tour around the world, soverelgns
of various nations. with which his di :
plomatic career has made him ac-
quainted That the interview was
in contradiction to ell tradition as
of the country everybody is we'll
aware, aud has his especial theory in
explanation Of the anomaly. Some
favor the supposition that desire
to gain a favorable and conciliatory
word from him at the Russian Capt.
toll in regard to the vexed Sahalien
question, was the secret cause of the
concession. Others discover In it the
recognition of q singular service rem
dered the present Japanese Govern
ment By the State Department in
1870. when the Ex-Seeretary, by
sanetioning the Withholding of Stone
wall from It's real purchaser, the Ty-
coon, and permitting its transfer to
another authority, materially assisted
the projects of the conspirators, who
acted Ia Mikado's name, and who
succeeded in placing the young mon
arch in a position of actual as well as
nominal supremacy. The correspond
ent says that the Mikado's government
might well be animated by feelings of
very deep gratitude toward all who
we're concerned, however indirectly,
in that extraordinary transaction, is
easily understood. Bat apart from
the fact that so straight forward q
method of acknowledging the obliga-
ton would hardly commend itself to
the Japanese mind, it is more proba-
BILE that the present administration Is
really disposed to relax the severity
of the old usages, and was ready to
welcome any fitting opportunity Of
removing these barriers of restraint
and seclusion, which have ceased
to serve the purpose for which
they were established. The first
movement in this direction was du-
ring che visit of the Duke of Edin-
burgh, when most of the rigors of an
cient formalities were dispensed with,
and, although less violent the transit
ton than that involved in passing di
rectly from the guest possessing the
double distinction of royal blood and
a captaincy In the British Navy, to
one whose claims to distinction are
purely republican, and the presence
of an unofficial would, perhaps, have
been preferred. The greeting was Of
fered with great grace, and this was
owing, in a great part, to the repre-
sensations of Minister belong, who
was heartily seconded. Stewards Wis
it was made to assume the character
Of friendliness and familiarity such
as the reception Of the English Prince,
at no time, called forth.
Before Stewards arrival, the Minis
ter had notified his approach to the
japanese officials, and had been
requested by them to announce his
landing, the proposed time of his visit,
and the time when it would be con-
venient for him to come to the Capt.
tai. The Ministers of State were eager
to extend to him distinguished and
cordial welcome, and invited Mr..
Seward to breakfast, but he declined
with dignity, and intimated that he
would deal even congratulations with
no less q parsonage thar the Ruler of
the Empire himself. Finally the Jap
anese presidents were violated, and
Mikado extended to him a hearty
welcome.
Among the prominent persons at
the reception were Mikado, Seward
Prime Minister belong. Chief Minis
ter of Foreign Affairs, Mr.. Sheppard f;
Ischibashi, the sword bearer, the
Mikado's Secretary, and the entire
Privv Council Of Daijokwan. SPzoohee
were brief but felicitous. and all things
considered, the conference could not
have been more satisfactory. The OBJ
| servations of the Mikado were at
least as cordial as, and not less spon-
taneous than, those which European
monarchs are in the habit of address
| ing to their visitors. Stewards desire
to meet the ruler of japan was graft
| fed Ia the most complete and com
plimentary manner. Not only was
the incident without precedent In this
country, bat it was attended with cir
/ cumstances that showed an unusual
abandonment of established customs
Although the Mikado retained seated
during the interview, be was entirely
unveiled by screen or curtain. Up to
this time, even foreign ambassadors
| had only been allowed to look upon
part of his person at a time, the
/ lower extTemities or face being
always concealed; and instead OF
being surrounded By DESTINATIONS en-
blems of power and supremacy, bis
only visible attendants were a single
guard and an officer who supplied
him with manuscripts containing his
share Of the conversation.