The New York herald., 1871-01-01
IA p N
Some Of The Changes and Events Of the Last
Ten Years and Their Bearing Upon
American Interests.
Has Our Diplomacy Been at
Fault

YOKOHAMA, Nov. "a, 1870.
The expedition Of Commodore Perry having paved
the way for American commercial relations with
Japsn that country sent to the United States In 1852
an Embassy to strengthen the friendly relations
which had so auspiclously commenced between the
two nations. AT that time our country was well
represented by Mr.. Harris, whose popularity with
the Japanese government and people placed us on
the most favored footing in all the dealings Of that
country with foreigners. American influence was
second to none. II IL was not greater than any other
Then only one or two ports were open to commerce,
and those were under severe restrictions. Now
some seven or eight Of the principal ports
OF the Empire are open to the ships Of the world,
among them the capital Yeddo ana Yokohama,
Hiogo and Nangasiki are the direct line from San
Francisco to China. Yokohama, the commercial
centre of Japan and the residence Of foreign Minis
ters was then hardly in existence, whereas at pre-
sent her shipping list rams from nfty to hundred,
including every nationality. Jeddo the capital.
which was then visited only by special permit and
then under a guard Of government troops Is now
inhabited by foreigners, and daily lines OF stages
and steamers ply between there ana Yokohama
But II there is slriking change in the commercial
aspect OF the country there has been no less change
in political AFFAIRS, and 1t soon becomes evident to
any one who remains short time in Jeddo or Yoko-
hama that this change has been detrimental to
American interests; In fact to the interests Of all
foreigners, except the English, or few who may be
so fortunate as, by toadyism coalition, to gam
the influence OF the British Minister We venture to
assert that the exceptions are few.
HOW THE CHANGE WAS BROUGHT ABOUT.
When the present British Minister, Sir Harry
Parkes was sent to represent England in Japan, he
was dissatisfied with their style Of government. ana
set to work to build up to his liking. This
Is the plain English Of the matter. Until this time
the Japanese had two rulers, the spiritual the
temporal The Mikado was the head Of the spiritual
and the Tycoon the mead OF the temporal affairs.
The Mikado being at the head Of spiritual AFFAIRS,
looked upon by the japanese as too sacred TO con-
Germ himself with earthly matters, which were en-
trusted to the Tycoon. For a pretext to commence
his work Sir Harry Parkes declared that his Queen
was second to no sovereign earth, that she COM
bined Church and state and that no would hold IN
tercourse with no second ruler.
In every country there are ambitious men ready to
sell their country for position For many years the
Prince Of Satsua and others In the south Of Japan
had at times defed the general government They
had ruI In debt purchasing arms, keeping large
armies and buying ships, and were now short Of
funds to keep up their armament while their fol-
lowers were restless and turbulent. Sir Harry
Parkes was too shrewd man to lose such an oppor-
tunity. They were supplied with all the newest
implements Of war and became the avowed leaders
Of party to abolish the ONCE Of Tycoon and estab-
lish and imperial government with the Mikado as
head Of Church and State.
Be this account as to the manner in which the
coalition was formed against the old government
exactly true or only approximately SO for there are
always differences OF opinion on such subjects)
certain 1t Is that the princes named arrayed them
selves against the long established government OF
the country and In favor OF the form "suggestedi
by sr Henry Parkes. Let subsequent events say
whether he was their instigalor, adviser and sup
porter.
About the time these troubles commenced there
was another Embassy sent to this country. 1t seems
the hands Of the then United States Minister to
Japan, for the purchasing OF ships for that govern.
Sis wa1 o S as to
whole sum was duly accounted for while others as
sert that the amount in gold was held several years
the Minister receiving the interest thereon-and
then the amount received in gold was refunded In
greenbacks. Be these statements as they may, the
this second Embassy to Washington to regain their
money or an equiya,ent The result was that the
Japanese. and an American oiiicer allowed to
take her out to Yokohama. This was In
tended Cd, as as the he a, anenae enc. honorable which was
waters caused by dubious handling OF ships. 1t
proved 70 be the worst tnlng that happened for
party have crushed out the last opposition their
WILL This vessel having been duly transferred to
the ambassadors the Japanese nag was hOlsted,
Some contend that full paymen. had not been made
on her arrival In Japan: but that matters not; the
government had satisfactory security for payment,
and could easily have enforced 1t. The ship became
Japanese when we allowed her to hoist their nag.
Sne sailed out 70 that country as Japanese ship,
being received as such wherever she touched. At
Honolulu she was short OF funds and COAL was sup
piled by the government as japanese ship. and the
Japanese government subsequently thanked the
government OF tho Sandwich ISLANDS for the
courtesy.
HER ARRIVAL IN JAPAN.
BY the time she reached Japan the great revolu-
tion was &C It's crisis. The new arms supplied by
the English and their military advice had enabled
their party TO advance the capital. The arrival
OF the Stonewall was anXiOusly watched Tor by our
OLD friends, the government party, who believed she
would counterbalance the advantage given their
enemies by the more improved firearms. At last
the Stonewall arrived and anchored at Yokohama,
with the japanese flag flying, and having on board
the ambassadors sent by the government still In
OF years.
No sooner had she anchored than Japanese
officers were aboard to take charge IN the name OF
the government that bought her, and relieve the
The American Minister ordered the commander to
haul down the japanese flag ana hoist the Amcri-
can nag. The American admiral was called on for
force, and the StOnewal was held until the end OF
the conflict when she was delivered up to the victo-
rlOus tEnglish) party. Many in Japau believe that
had she been promptly given up To the legitimate
government the result Of the war would have been
different,
1t Is stated that the Secretary OF State dsapproved
the course Of the Minister, but 1t was too late to
remedy the matter. The war was over aud Sir
Harry Parkes was triumphant.
KUAORED TREACIIERY PART OF THE BRITISH
MINISTER.
Some OF the friends OF the then United States
Minister give the following excuse for hun. They