New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-27


of whom personally unfricndly to him. but were
won over by hs artful representations. An uniucky
Quarrer certain branches OF the Togngawa clan
which began In 1853 and lasted several years. placed
an additional weapon In the hands OF the
intrguers. For while they concnted themselves with
endeavors embroi the Mkados Court with that OF the
Tycoon and 10 nsgate the former to active par
tcipation in political affairs than IL had been aceus-
toned exercise always bringing forward the senti-
ment of hostility TO foreigners their strongest arg
ment. In this they far successful that, on inc
accession of the last Tycoon, Yosihsa-better known'
perhaps, by his ante ofcial name OF Htotsbashl--ih
1866 the influence of the Yedo Government was seriously
impaired order to entirely destroy it, Satsuma ana
his party executed the bold coupi detat toward 'he
close of 1867 of sezug the Mkados person. ana rcmoV
ing him from any possibility Of coercion on inc part vi
the Tycoon. This the step. above ALLUDED TO- "hc
yeyas had foeseen and the consequences OF whcn nc
endeavored to guard against by decreeing that mgh
member OF the Mkado's family, possessing o RANK
which might fairly one him to the succession shouio
always reside at Yedo, and in case OF extreni!' o
compeled to declare himself the rghtful nhertor OF
the imperial name and dignity.
HEsIrATING POLICY
At the outset Of the civil war which followed .he
eapture of the Mikado, the chances appeared greatly
in the Tycoons favor. and If H'tosbashi had thrown
himself into the struggle with energy he eouo propoy
have carried everything before him. HIS Popuiaily
was unbounded not only among the clans especy oe-
voted to him. but also with the mass OF the common peo-
pie; and the testimony to his remarkable intelligence
and ability ia universal But for reasons which have
never vet been satisfactorily explained he withdrew al
most immediately from the contest not even sanctionng
the armed resistance which his friends maintained Tor
many months. Why he should have given way so unex-
pectedy OF the most curious questions in modern
Japanese history. Some accuse him Of personal
cowarlice Others declare that he Influenced by the
purest patriotism and that although well aware that
the MkadO in uress and that the successive proc
lamations against him did not really elnanate from the
imperial mind he shrank from bringing 70 terrible con-
vuson upon the country the appearance OF re-
beliOn against the supreme power would entail In sup
port of this argument his various addresses to his fol-
lowers his appeals TO the court Of Maco, and his dis
patches to the foreign ministers cited, and the
evidence certainly strong 1t is not ON exaggeraton
declare that there no nober record In the annals OF
any nation than that of his brief career il his sentiments
and conduct can be fairly estimated by his ueran
ces. And lit is only Just to say that up to this moment
no proof of their insincerity has appeared third
PLANTATION his is that ii dictated by keen
foresight of the confusion and disorder into which the
affairs of the Empire would fall If suddenly placed in the
hands his inexperienced enemies and that he preferred
retiring awhile with the conviction that his house
must inevitably be recalled 10 the work OF admnistra-
tlon rather than engaging in conflict issue OF which
might be doubtful. Whatever the impulse that guided
him. IL is certain that he conented himself with denying
the authenticity of the DEGREES which hurled him from
his exalted station and then placed himself outside
the limits the strife by resgning not only his various
offices in the general government but also his position
Chief Of the Togugawas.
Before doing So he held consultations with the foreign
Ministers and it possible that he had been assured Of
their support he would have made serious efforts
TO sustain himself But he met with little encourage
ment. Empty compliments were laVished upon MIN,
and he could get nothing The British Minister,
at a very early period, threw his interest upon the
Mkados side, and it may be remeInbcr2d that by DONG
so in more prompt and emphatic msnAcr than any OF
his colleagues he gained prestige with the rising power
which he has retained to this day. The United States
Minister appears TO have had very decided opinion
either way action he induced to take III that
most extraordinary of all international commercial trans
actions the transfer Of the "stonewa would OF itself
have gone far to parayze any movements the Tycoon
might have undertaken OF all the foreign representa-
tives the French Minister alone seemed disposed TO ad
here to the fortunes of the Government with which ne
had always dealt While the Others were apparently
CONCENTRATING themselves upon the advantages OF the
change he stood aloof. and gave warning OF Impending
dangers which soon revealed themselves. Within two
months after the recognition OF the Government estab
lished by satsumas fraud and violence series Of on
saughts upon foreign officials occurred, more sanguh
ary more ferocious, and resulting in greater loss or HE
than all other attacks OF the previous ten years put
together But these, happily, were soon checked; not
from any OF riendness the part OF the new
rulers but from the conviction which very speedily pre-
vailed that the TycoOn's method Of meeting the adj
vances Of foreign had been the correct one and
that the continuance Of hostes would be worse than
useless In due time the disturbances in various parts
of the country queed the more easily from the
refusal of the deposed Tycoon TO participate in any
movement for restoration Of his house, the Mkado
was removed to Yedo and toward the close OF 1863 the
new Executive commenced the work of administrations
FAILURE OF THE GOVERNMENT.
From that time to this the Government OF Japan has
been failure attempts first to conciiate, and after
ward to coerce the disafeced Danio alike futile
One of the earliest efforts TO weaken the opposition they
were to encounter an ingenious proposition to
the effect that all the Damios should surrender their
titles and possessions to the Mkado on the pledged con-
don OF being at oncereappointed Governors OF their
respective provinces, and allowed to remain by the
sovereigns clemency in the enjoyment OF considerable
proportion Of their respective incomes This, OF course
was promptIy done by satsuma and his adherents, 1t
being sacrifice 10 them to give up thing ana every
selves. few others, for reasons not necessary
plain thought proper TO follow their example, bf great
powers and privileges OF old. Unable to secure rev.
in this and being pos scssed OF literally no
but vague promise OF redemption by the Cabinet
date The public credit by this means, so impaired
that money for immediate necessities eoad only md De pro"
pedging the customs returns as security , line
istered by the Tokugawas, was broken up or
msused, and no effective means OF restoring the |
substituted The incoming administration
had doubtless expected TO inherit well-stocked treas
ury but they found nothing awaiting them at Yedo
That the Tycoon abundantly supplied with funds Is
universally believed, but person say IL willing
TO tell, where the vanished boards concealed
They certainly have not been brought TO light since his
downfall and it favorte theory that they held in
secrecy until the opportunity shall be given for their use
in the effective way. MEANWHILE the conspirlng
Damios, although men of vast possessions, are them
selves too deeply eDtaDgled in pecunary difficulties to
be able to contribute largely toward The maintenance oil
the Government they have reared. AS temporary ex