New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-08-09
AFFAIRS IN JAPAN.


SOME REMARKS ON THE ORTHOGRAPHY
OF JAPANESE PROPER NAMES
lFROM THR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THB TRIBUNEl
YEpo, July THE following modification
of a familiar fable suggests itself TO all who nave
watched the progress Of the amusing diplomatic incident
to which briefly referred fortnight ago certain
Oriental dragon had in his possession tasman Oh p'o
intrinsic value but with qualities which rendered "
attractive to those who knew Of its existence ~ was
first discovered by sturdy Bull who, AFTER inc nao
Of his species endeavOred TO secure 1t by such su
demonstration Of stamping and believing as nav -,
employed by Bulls in all ages for the intmidauohoi s
ons and other inferior Attracted by tne S
and fury, number of lesser animals, Promiuch' "o
which were a rugged Bear and a valiant COCK "ppou
upon the scene and engaged IN anlma'cu "i'PIo -
the coveted treasure. Tho dragon was d" o
dragon and not wishing TO surrender MS proPoV' ~
compulson beckoned TO an Eagle thaI was no'0,-"H
overhead. and begged him to accept i" Inns
r,,,ost the EAGLE was glad 10 comply with'
and stretching its WINGS 1t bore away the prize leaving
the several dsputants in deep discontinue anu uaiA ue
spair." The consequences of the ABOVE Pai"p'Iu
,ssace at arms between the British Legation at fedo
and the Japanese Foreign Department. by Whieh MI
watson the new Charge dAaires, signalzed his acees
sion 10 Office may possibly be serious although the ana
appeared so trining at the outset 1t was Tor time
,aniaad into an importance which few of the parties
originally concerned in it now consider justhaDe OF Ju
dicous Inasmuch it is almost sure 10 ead 10 ulsc
sion hereafter, it worth while to present the crcum
stances OF the with strict eXactness ana
without admitting any cOloring that Is not warranted
by direct evidence 1t has been the nvarable custom OF
the Mkado TO receive the representatives OF foreign ma
lions seated either in the manner OF his own
peope. or upon chair. 1t Is not pretended
that any Minister has hitherto expressed objec-
tons to this manner of reception Mr. watson
who is not full Minister. but only Charge was the
first to discover that the customary attitude OF the
10 no init a
Powers He declared that he would not accept the usual
interview unless the Mkado would consent to stand be-
fore him. This demand refused, and, am informed
bv japanese officials, refused In manner 50 emphac
as to render it doubtful if Mr. Watson would ever DC re-
ceved AT ALL This latter question: however, did not im
medatey arise the day which had Deeh orlghaV
fixed for the presentation sent word to the Foreign
Office that illness would prevent him from Attending
Meanwhile he unfolded his grievance to limited circle
and sought the cooperation OF his colleagues OF France
Russia and the United States. II is generally under
stood that the two former agreed to support his claim
The latter certainly did not. He gave the Japanese
Government TO distinctly understand, on the contrary
that he recognized their right 10 regulate their cere
monies according to their FORMS suggesting, how
ever az the same time that 1t would assist in eXtrl
eating the Court from any embarrassment he was Wiling
70 be the first to receive the voluntary proer OF the COW
eted compliment On other grounds he was totally III
Indifferent to it, The result was as you have been IN
formed that Mr. Shepard and Admiral jenkins were
Immediately aferward, that is, within day or two,
welcomed by the Mikado, who rose at their approach
and remained standing during the interview.
This circumstance was no discovered by the members
of the other Legations for several days. in the course Of
which Mr. Watson is said TO have notified to the Japan
csc authorities that unless he should be received in
manner satisfactory to his own ideas, the Envoy now on
his way to London, Terashma would DO refused an
audience by the Queen That he actually did hold out
nff N
their statement is furthermore supported by two OF the
English newspapers published IN Yokohama. After a
considerable delay his message was answered. to the
effect that the Mkado willing 10 receive the British
representative, but that no promise could be given
beforehand as TO the manner of his recognition That
would depend upon the pleasure OF the sovereign at the
moment. The japanese particular in stating that
mon these terms, and Others, Mr. Watson had his
audience. Under the circumstances, it ia doubtful
whether he particularly enjoyed It, although 1t Is true
that the Mikado finally concluded to stand II his own
feeling may be measured by that which is indicated in
the newspaper organs Of his Legation, they cannot
be enyed One of these at first endeayored to soften
the effect of the misadventure by representing that the
limited States Charge had joined Mr. Watson in his
peremptory demand and that the latter had made the
threat concerning Terashma 4" in order to assist Mr.
engineered and brought TO successful termination by
Mr. Watson This being wholly untrue, the newspaper
that the new mode Of reception was offered by the
Japanese Court TO Mr.. shepard" There remained,
then moi even this thin pretext to break the fall Insg
nidc9nt as the whole affair may appear and as 1t doubt
less is in many respects, IL has formed topic or very
lively discussion here for the last fortnight AS 90 not
care about going beyond the known facts will not re-
peat which prevail in regard TO the determ
nation of the japanese to test the right OF Charge
d'Affsres to dictate them Extensively and TO at
tempt TO enforce his pretensons by threats HhaeVer
may be revealed hereafter as the maItef now stSs a
nindciOus effort at intimidation on the part OF one
legation has resulted only TO the advantage of another
without the slightest effort the part of the latter
There is little else to enlyen the current OF AFFAIRS
The semimOnthly service Of the Pacific Mail Company
is in full progress but does not yet produce any per-
ceptible effect upon the spirits OF the community IL
dence that thus far heartily welcomed by CONNER
cia residents. As far Yokohama is concerned, it
Arranged TO prevent increased Tapidty OF ntercOmmU
nieatOn. Thus the returning steamer 10 San Francisco
leaves japan day before the arrival OF the ouconlng
shin Letters cannot be answered, therefore, until the
departure of another mail fortnight later IL could
not desired In course OF time perhaps increased acl-
tiles viii produce an increased desire to profit by them
afforded by the republication, from The TRIBUNE OF
report of The meeting Of the American Baptist Mission
arv Union in NewYOrk from which 1t appears that one
gentleman announced that the Mikado had been con-
yerted TO Christianity While another stated Inat me
whole OF Japan evangelical hope 1t Is not necessary
ments The universal ignorance upon almost every
subject connected with Japan such that the authors Of
ctons have generally little hesitation In procaimng
whatever fabrications may suit their purpose;
theless the attempt at such an imposition shows
how confidently interested persons are accustomed 70
reckon upon public ereduty respecting the concerns OF
| this country.
The only items OF native interest that the Mkado
at the head Of feet of nine vessels is now upon
visit TO the Southern Provinces OF the Empre that the
railroad between Yokohama and Yedo is great popular
and that Yedo has been for the past week in
of its periodical delTiums Of merry-inakngth occa-
siOns being the national celebration OF the close OF the
late civil war, and the annual Opening" Of the River
Sumda, OF the principal auents OF YedO Bay With
regard 10 the celebrations, IL is worth while 10 record
that although hundreds of thousands Of persons parc
pated daily and nightly In the sports no instance OF dis
order TO have occurred and not single arrest
was made. Copies Of neat little volume containing u
record Of the progress Of the Embassy IN Ameg have
been received In Yeqo publication OF tbs sort is per-
INNS without value. but since IL IS issued with the