New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-01
JAPAN.

DiFfICIITY-MR. pOkIMAN SUSPENDED
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. JAPANESE VISITORS
TO Observation-Disclosures
YOKOHAMA, Dec. 21.--The foreign population
Of this section of Japan is at present anguishng for ex
element. Receiving intelligence from the outer world
only about three tmes month naturally thrown
much upon resources, and we stand confronted
by the humating truth that, regards supplying ma
teral for stimulating the popular imagination, arc
not yet equal TO requirements. European battle
will not serve for than two three days, and
oven a prodgious event Ike that Of Sedan continues
elastic only for week at the furhest No amount OF
journalistic ingenuity stretch 1t beyond that limit
We swallow a slirmish with tfhu and we sleep as
soundy upon field strewn with myriad Of corrses as
II they were the incidents nightly experience
All this is doubtless the effect OF distance The smoke
and stir Of the conflict, the wrath OF nations, ana
the shock Of armies come To us so MODIFIED by the
passage over thousands Of miles of ocean that
ley hardly stir us from our customary composure
The events themselves seem to remain with you. We
get only their rejection. No community can he expected
to respond with cries Of enthusiasm to mere echo or TO
rouse itself 10 ecstacies shadow II had his
tory handed in to fresh every morning THE TRB
uNE supplies B at home, the whole thing would be differ
eat. We should then undoubtedly have fire in our eyes
end smoke n our notrils from morning till night But
hope that nobody will accuse Of failing TO make the
most Of Hcws Whenever the opportunity offers ITSELF
Otherwise what would become OF our four
enteTprisilg dailes aud our one hightoneu
tcutOns said 10 be monthly but which perVefseIy
prcseuts itself only at distant and facetous intervals
and appears exercise in its advent as In It's character
the Giraffe privileges Of comet in the newspaper sys
tom of YOohamal And yet we cannot and VIII not cuo
our craving for excitement. Hard put to 1t as We are
we accept almost anything which bears the stamp OF
commences. Spurious sensations baseless fabrics OF
visionary homicdes ardrawn assaults or billings OF
native thumbs cannot applaud or encourage put
whatever reckon upon as resting sody on faer
we accept with avidy, embcllsh need be- ana posi-
bly, magnify OCCASION until We have shaped itiGto sueh
form as usfes us in making it the idol Of the moment
sQUABmrs BETWEEN FOREIGN MINISTER'S.
II was in this way that the recent exhibition OF Ill
feeling between the French and Prussan Ministers here
residing became the aabsOrbng theme Of three success
sive weeks The prOcamatiOns of Bismarck and Gambetta
tribes to compared with the manfestoes of the
opposing parties in Yokohama, and the movements OF
Motke and MacMahon through France sank into tnsig-
ncancc beside the strategic advances Of Messrs Outrey
and Won Brandt upon the Foreign Office at Yedo For
while we really compelled ourselves to believe that the
activities OF war be transferred to these remote
shores. As viewed it, the quarrel was sinGularly
pleasing to the eye of the spectator Thus 1t arose: AL
the OF the war; the Prussan and French ENJOYS
acting together induced the Japanese Government TO
issue decree OF neutrality, securing immunity to all
trading vessels Of both nationsa condition Of affairs
stl further agreed upon between the two Ministers, In
private consultation. Presently arrives the French
Admiral with a powerful squadron who refuses TO
DO bound by Mr.. Outrey's understanding, and who
makes threatening demonstrations all around the
harbOr to the great CONSERVATION Of the japanese and
the unspcakable indignation of Mr.. Won Brandt,
who executes another movement in force upon the
foreign department, and off victorious with an
nmendmenttO the neutrality proclamation, framed by
himself the better protection Of his counrys in
terests ThereupOn, determinations, accusations OF bad
faith general turmoil rumOrs Of impending carnage, and
wild CONJUNCTION everywhere. One day the French bar
racks were to be bombaried by German frgate and
the day the German squadron of two was 10 be in
vcd outside the bay to its prompt demolition by the
French squadron of three. Nothing of it all,
You may suppose but il lasted for three weeks and
really was fine sight to the Venus steam up day
after day alongside the Hertha with cannon prO;rudng
from It's Sides brass bands blowing ROuget de Lse's
defiance. and daring the other, one might say to
knock chip of its crcss-trees.
HOPES OF DUEL.
After this we were enlvened by the prospect Of duel
between two editors, growing also indirectly out OF
the European There an immense amount
correspondence in which gentleman declared that
If his demands for apology were not acceded to, he
should take such measures seemed to him suitable
while the other responded with the explanation
which he thought the circumstances required, adding
that II this not considered satisfactory he stood
ready to meet his adversary in any manner that might
be required. This perfectly charming and in our
afternoon rides all involuRtariy began looking
around for snug sequestered spots suitable for visits at
early dawn, not enough to European civilization TO
suffer the intrusion of the curious yet too far
for prompt surgical attendance For period OF 4s
hours every fourth in the settlement felt himself
inspired with the soul OF Sir ucus OTrigger. But here
ocan the affair blew quietly enough and the result,
g. with the beigcIeut frigates, extremely like that
Of the parurent mountains OF the fable. The injured
editor simply stopped his neighbours exchange Instead
Of attempting anything repugnant to the nature OF
Journalist IS getting up at daybreak he remained at
home and took lis coffee at the usual hour Nothing
han ed "a shed,
far from undertaking to cut of fellow beings exist
ence he did than of his free copy OF The
Japan Nail Tfing the affair was, it made very
merry while and the only dissatisfaction expressed
was in consequence q its abrupt termination.
THR CREDLNTIALs OF THE U. :. PLENIPOTENTIARY.
Those of Us who are Americans have however little
hope in the near future. We look for the arrival OF
Micistcrs credentials as PlenipOtentaTy and consc-
quent increase to The dignity OF position here. We
now regard ourselves as almost outside the circle Of
diplomatic representation, and indulge the expecta
ton with this nominal addition TO his functions
envoy may able TO take official stand
that Of Holland, Denmark, any Of the inferior
Powers that keen up establishments here. There is also
growing belief in the possibility that Secretary of
legation may be sent out in which the number Of
oar diplomatic agents will be increased TO twO-Or
quarter Of the number considered necessary and
tanned by other rst-class Governments. We shall then
have something talk about and, indeed, ought
O. have said, behalf Of my cOuntIymen,
that We have always theme Of converse
tion which citizens Of other countries do not
uo.,ess; namely the inability of legation TO
tc IN free Intercourse and direct Of exertng in
hueuce with any OF the others. am told that Mr. De
long who did here with the purpose of making
money By any process, so disheartened when he
found lie estimate in which American representation
was lcl4 that De determined in case one vigorous effort
toward rcCsiaDshing IL should not be responded to by
fuffi at To ICluuuSl