New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-03
THE JAPANESE MISSION.

| COthSE OF IkANEL-COMPLEIE of
| AMBASSADORS AND -EX-DAIMIO5
| AND THEIR WIVES AMONG rs.
| IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OP THE TRTBUSBl
YEDo, Dec. 23-The Embassy, which starts
to-day upon years journey in America and Europe, is
unquestonaby the most important Commission that has
left japan That OF 1860 simply delegation OF
officers OF inferior rank whose only duty the formal
ratification at Washington Of treaty which had been
signed year before in Yedo. That OF 1867 represented
still lower grade and its members had purpose be-
yond that Of purchasing for the Tycoon steamer which
they paid for, but which their master received.
European Enjoys Of various periods were OF similar
character-low In station and limited in function. The
present deputation, the contrary untes almost the
highest personal position with the largest political
power The Chief ambassador, Iwak,lrs, is a member
Of that class OF the nobility which has always been
especially attached to the Mkados conrt and the lowest
among whom superior in rank to the greatest OF the
dami0s when dairos existed. During the long period
Of the Tokugawa military rule their power and influence
were restricted but at time would any fetdal lord
the Tycoon himselunless especially invested
with some Imperial tite-have considered him
self upon level with the poorest OF the
1877 "kuge." They claimed, and, In most
cases Justly TO be directly descended from youn ger
branches OF the Mikados own family and 10 may be in
teresng TO those acquainted with japanese history to
know that Iwakura is Of the House OF Mnamoto-aways
famous In the carly annals OF the nation and III no way
So perhaps, than in having produced the powerful
TycoOns Yoritomo Politically he holds a grade in no
respect inferior to his social station He has the third
title 10 the Empire 2py the Mkado ana another kuge
named sanlo preceding him In the ministerial system
OF Japan the highest Office under the sovereign is that of
"Daijo daijin" This is followed by "sa daUin" deft
great NAM, and U daijin" fright great mani The
three, however, seldom filed at the same time At
present there sa dan" but Iw aura Ia the great
officer OF the right" which is higher station than many
OF the Tycoon yentured to ask for, although the more
,frfp0 casinn iV oht A
merely the First Minister Of Foreign Affairs and his pro-
motion is intended TO give additional Importance to the
embassy OF which he is the head
Iwakura lie admitted by all who have had oppOrtHn
ties OF dealing with him. TO be the ablest and keenes OF
the representatives OF the present Government His
conversion TO the principle OF foreign liberation was
slow, but It now appears to he sincere Up 10 COM
parativey recent period. he attempted no cOncealmont
Of his toward those whom he regarded as the
invaders of his country, and even alter the tline "eh ne
was necessarily brought into contact with foreign min
listers he took sort of pride IN refusing To recognize
them otherwise than officially But. with other barriers
of prejudice, his individual antIpathies appeartO have
been broken down. \ growing perception OF the
sites Of his nation has probably been the chief cause OF
this change of sentiment; but 1t II quite possible az
many think that tho Kindness shown 70 members ~ ms
family who have lately Travelled abroad and the Gu
thusastic reports which he admits having receiver from
bis son-who, believe, Is now in America-nay have
helped 10 melt his icy All trace of his former nos
file feeling has certainly disappeared and the only an
tagonism he displays is in contests OF diplomatic
skill some Of which. according To report, he conducts
with nh adruness that makes even the cOnhdeh repre-
atfves civilizations donbt whether neS
altogether distinguish themselves "heh opposeu "
.,sssS-sars hsy" per"iansnt hph
rank beyond that which their offices give them They
OF the class OF samural OF gentry p't te! owe
their elevation solely their talent and abhty. They
are five in number two members Of the Council OF state
the Chief Minister ~ Finance and the Assistant MINIS
tiers OF Public Works and Foreign Affairs A emoassi
doris they temporarily hftcd 10 higher position
than that Of their regular officers. Below them arr ]?
secretaries most OF whom 10 act As interpreters
There are also "a commissioners from various depart
ments whore especial duty II will he 10 investigate and
collect information upon the subjects which fall within
their administration. Lastly, there are four attaches
who appear lie commissioned for independent ob~er
yatiOn-twO from YedO, rom kana$awe, ana one
from Hogo II is intended 10 appoint Commissioner
from the 'Ji ri kuau" or Board OF Religious Rites
whose inquiries may have important Influence in
removing the suspicious and apprehensions with which
systems Of foreign faith are now regarded. IhlS
appointment has been 80 long delayed mat !
avn unable to give the name or rank OF the
person who will hold IT, He Will, Of course lie Of the
gpto Order since that alone is officially approves and
cherished by the Governments but il is also possible
that he will he accompanied by prominent disciple "f
Bu,IIsm, whose counsel will not be without weight
although he holds place IN the Ecclesiastical Depart
m.,t Last and in some respects most Interesting OF
ALI are fon japanese ladies, who are to remain In
America considerable lime. TO receive snch instruction
az shall qualify them "a become teachers when they re-
turn home. They from kioO, and are gcntewomen
but not OF lofty degree / mention this because,
matter OF they will be proclaimed prneeses on
landing San Francisco, and very likely Ia become
goddesses before they reach New York nasnuch as no
male japanese escapes his batch Of spurious titles in
rank compelling republican America, II Is only reusona
llSl1 m. fla
common destiny A. far as the head OF the embassy is
concerned the lordlOyors tolerably safe in plng
on" any amount of ttulaT agony; but hl> followers or
whichever SEX have claim 10 any such eAtrdNagant
distinction
what are the especial objects and designs Of this eab
orateIy Organized mission Aud IL may occasion
surprise to hear In reply, that IN The ordinary political
sense Il has definite and determined purpose There
are international questions formally 10 discuss or
settle the revision the treaties - not to take place
until after the return of the delegation year hence
and no other topic IL likely to arise meanwhile. The
only possible matter would he the occupation OF Sagha
lien by the Russians, aud the refusal OF the United
States to fulfill the pledge, given ~ the Harris treaty {"
1853 to intecessor against the aggression but the
Japanese have already dispatched special agent to ST.
Petersburg upon this a,sinesa and R Washington the
subject wonld probably he dealt with by the
regular charge danajres, Mort, II ever opened
Mt all The intention II 10 ocfnpy year
iu general scrutiny and study ~ the social. com
merciai and political institutions OF the v11ons
nations with which Japan has diplomatic relations
That the results OF this investigation will 10 brought To
bear upon the treaty question when IL recnTS, Il, OF
course be expected but II ny no means with this
sole view that the tour undertaken There IT, Just
now In the ghest quarters weeroundrd conviction
that the efforts to bring the country forward to the
standard Of development at which II aims AMI TO reform
the government according the most advanced sysems
OF other nations should be regulated by more thorough
acquaintance with those systems than al eA'Eand