New-York tribune., 1872-11-06
EASTERN ASIA.
JAPANESE AFFAIRS.


Japanese Government In the oase Of the Maria Luz You
have already been informed. Tho decision was axed
before the date Of my last letter. and no material change
subsequently made For certain reasons OF state IA
was not disclosed at that time, and believe that only
two foreigners were made acquainted with is details.
Even the legal counselor OF the Yokohama Court wa.
kept in ignorance, and the final result was totally At
variance with his expeetons and bis advice The indg
ment was delivered the SOth Of August Capt.
Hereiro was Informed that although was fully agreed
that he merited punishment his local onenses
would be overlooked and nc would be suffered 10
depart in his ship without farther moiestatlon. Tho
Chinese coolies having been brought shore for tho
purpose OF collecting testimony, free 70 follow
their wishes II they desired 10 proceed 10 Peru
they could do II they preferred remaining IN Japan
the certainty OF being returned their homes
person should interfere with their Inclination At tho
time permission was vouehs1fed the captain 10
bring actions against the eoohes respectively for the
specific performance OF the alleged contracts; and a
somewhat mirthp provoking effect has been thrown into
the whole ira gle affair by announcement his part
that he proposes 10 avail himself OF this offer Iis quite
possible that he may carry out such a design, but
authorized tiat under conceivable crcum-
stances will the Government OF Japan surrender thes)
unfortunate men to the destiny from which they arc
striving to escape. ....-.-.t-.-..
To appreciate the &c OF the japanese authorities
in taxing this bold and decisive acaOn II must bc
remembered that, with the exception OF the United
States and British COnsuls and the British Chlrg6
d'Afares every foreign representative In Nokoh'ma
was unqualledly adverse to them; and IL should be
added that this limited support not calculated to
greatly reassure them They do not affect 10 conceal
their dstrust Of tho sincerity OF Eaglsh officials ON
behalf OF the Chinese being perfectly familiar with tlo
fact that opium to the value Of SsoO)GO j, annually
forced into China by England The sympathy OF tne
United States Consul counteracted og tho ua1l'-
gused hostility Of the United states Minister, who from
the Of his arrival in Japan, espoussd the cause
Of the Peruvian coohe-trader. have already gwen
some details of the connection OF Mr.. De Long with
this affair." but it is perhaps desirable that u
should here be added. Capt Hereiro's apph-
cation for recognition add protection, wnen first mado
the United states Charge dAres. acting In The ao-
sence OF the Envoy, peremptory rejected, On tho
ground that the Peruvian engaged In hamc OPP
posed to the laws the United states and the instincts
of civilized nations. that time he never seen
at the Legation until after the Minister'S return.
Thenceforward he was constant guest, probably not
too welcome, but at least always tolerated "hat the
precise amount be received may have
been not known, but it certainly enabled him to plO-
cly declare that he under the protection OF tho
United States Minister and that the United states Coy
ernment would yndcate his rights. This declaration
myself heard him make in the same breath with tho
statement that expected to be compelled to htl
number of the coolies after his departure, and that he
intended to do in case of need Mr. Shepards pre-
vious action was dsavowed by Dit. De Long and tho
subordinate official therefore deemel II necessary
to withhold any further declaration of positive
opinion and 10 cOnhne himself to refusal to give
any counsel In the The opposition Of amos oil
the other representatives violent and aggressive
Even the European and American employees IN the LEGAL
service OF Japan with tho single exception OF NJ. l..
Pesbne Smith, endeavOred TO dissuade tn native officers
from the course which they wished TO pursue Mr Ill.,
the American Counselor Of the kohaina Court
although fully sympathzing with their impulses folt II
40 1assfafn nu lN
which the Maria Luz should be allowed to depart with
the coolies on board after the iniictioB of nominal
punishment upon the Captain for acts o. cruelty com nit
ted Japanese waters IL should be clearly ani dis
tncty that the japanese never for an
instant influenced by his argument and that they
waveTed their determination TO rescue the coolies
from bondage. 1t may fairly be said that bat Tor the
energetic representations Of Mr.. Pesine Smith. toy
would have been wholly without practical and effective
support in the matter. His view of the strict legal as
poets Of the OF great Importance TO hem out
have warrant for saying that without his assist
ance they would have hesitated to carry out tho
purpose which they had laid out for themselves.
In certain points Of foreign policy the japanese
nnexibe. One of these Is the coolle tram. IL has
already naeed them, and they determined To fight
it every form in which 1t presents itself TO them.
whether it involves their subjects directly or those
Of neghboring state. tits question with whi3h they
are perfectly familiar They know the atrocities Of tho
known in the United States Tile details all in their
hands, whereas we have only vague and general in
formation the subject. Our public documents IL Is
true, would supply abundant Information bat they
not open to the eyes OF the multitude. Diplomatic cor
respondence from China alone during tle year 1871
poses horrors and infamies such hardly dreamed
OF by the communities OF Europe and North America.
The japanese know them, aud hare undertaken to re-
buke and check them hy noble and generous exercise OF
the power they possess. Other governm nts which do
thoroughly know them have, through hsr delegates
in Japan stryen to hamper this GoOi work. and TO par
ayze energies of this empire IN tho most honorable
task it has yet attempted. . .. ........
Ineed not occupy your attention with any extensive
consideration OF the legal and international aspects Of
this case The Japanese do not pretend tnat tnoy have
laws 20 meet its full requirements. But they assume
that the voice the civilized world cannot possibly DO
raised against them for acting u the manner which the
tradition of their land sanctions TO prevent the CON
summation of great crime Moreover. they are DIS
posed think that this particular instance they have
technical justification for all they have done. Capt
Herero's first declaration was that tho Chinese were
simply board his ship Accepting his state
ment Japanese that passengers who represent
themselves as dissatisfied with their clearly
entitled abandon voyage and must not be compelled
reembark That the position which they at present
hold The unitedly complained and have rskcd
their lives purpose escaping from the persecu-
tons TO which they have subjected They have been
brought on Shore and their testimony has been heard
The stories OF their suorlDgs having been listened 70
and believed by ALL they have been set at liberty Toe
Japanese Government recognizes II part Of its duty
TO send these back the Maria Inz The Captain
may be allowed his actions for the spec rormince
contracts but IL Is legal axiom that specific per
formaneo of contracts cannot be enforced Further.
more the evidence of the coolies il unanimous 10 tie
effect that these alleged contracts were fraudueDty OBJ
tanned. Under circumstances, therefore, VIII the