The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-22
Rear Admiral Jenkins to Relieve Rear
Admiral Rodgers in the
Asiatic Squadron.
THE VICE PRESIDENCY
COlfax, Wilson and Blaine Fighting-Lit-
tlejohn, Of New York, Looming Up.
CUBA AND SPANISH sLAvERs.

Admiral Rodgers in the Asiaiic Complica-
tions In the East.
The rumor printed In the HERALD some days ago,
to the effect that Rear Admiral Thornton A. jenkins
has been ordered TO relieve Rear Admiral John
Rodgers Of the command Of the Asiatic squadron
Is not only well founded, but it is an event Of mere
than ordinary significance Our government has
been without well defined policy In the East even
the punishment Of the COreans being considered
victory barren In its results ana perhaps disastrous
In It's consequences. The desire OF Rear Admiral
Rodgers 10 return home TO look after his private
business gave the Secretary of the Navy an
opportunity to do justice to an excellent
Officer, who ought to have received the command
OF the European squadron when Rear Admiral
Alden was designated for that position; but the
Aslatic squadron Is considered at the Navy Depart
ment as It Is III fact the most important fleet in the
service, and Rear Admiral Jenkins appointment
was made out OF regard for the importance Of the
place and his own peculiar fitness for Its duties.
On the 1st Of February the order relieving Rear
Admiral Rodgers and designating Rear Admiral
Jenkins mis- successor viii be issued and the lat
ter will sail from San Francisco about the LIST OF
March, relieving Rear Admiral Rodgers upon his
arrival at Yokohama. Rear Admiral jenkins will
travel without Ostentati0n, going out on the
regular mail steamer, and taking with him only
an aid and . clerk. He Will retain the Colorado as
his nagship, but his squadron will be increased by
the addition OF three or four light draught vessels.
which can penetrate the rivers OF China and sue
cessfuly pursue the Chinese pirates.
China and Tvs dependencies including Corea and
Japan. Borneo, Sumatra and Siam, are the princi-
pal countries with which the Asiatic squadron Is
brought In contact or these Japan and Slam are
especially friendly; but China, through the Cor can
difficulties and from other causes, has been gradu.
ally cooling In Its favor toward America, till 1t has
at last assumed an attitude which is al
most hostile, and war with that country Is
considered more imminent than with either
Russia or Spain. Rear Admiral jenkins will
be furnished with synopsis Of all the dispatches
TO our Minister - China and the instructions to our
the Eastern nations; 30 that he may 60 to has new
command thoroughly informed on every point with
winch he may be compelled to deal.
On the arrival in this city Of Minister de Long, from
Japan, which viii be In o few days, he Will have
conference with former and the present Japanese
Ambassador, and defined policy 10 expected to
be the result It ID the design OF our government
to return the extreme friendship OF Japan by Ike
frlendiness on our part the coming OF the present
Japanese Embassy being considered more I'M
portant event than the visit Of the Russian
Grand Duke, and the fostering OF pleasant
relations with this singuary active and progressive
OF the Treaty Of Washington. We look to the
friendly o1lcss Of Japan to restore good feeling
with the Corcans and 1t Is expected that this I'M
portant mission will be undertaken and accom-
pllshed BY the Japanese government. the trouble
we have had with the Eastern nations through Ill
considered acts OF hostility, and the growing i'm.
portance Of our Pacific trade have both operated to
MAKE our government careful In American inter-
course with the Asatic peoples. Rear Admiral
jenkins goes out as the exponent OF the new policy,
and he will take care never to interfere to the
disadvantage OF any Of the Eastern nations and
see that they are not wrOnged or oppressed either
by the representatives Of our government or citi-
zens OF the United States. His task Is considered
very di1icult one, and but for the friendship or
Japan IL would be almost hopeless. II is under
stood that the Chinese are placing constructions on
the Buringame Treaty IN regard to merchants and
missionaries which were not anticipated when 1t
was made, aud it Is admitted that the latter are
source OF great trouble and annoyance both to the
chinese and 10 These difficulties are to be Obvi-
ate by treating the Eastern nations par; OF the
great civilized human family and to allow violent
Or distastefu inroads upon their religion, simply
because they are pagans In other words, the
Navy Department has resolved to enforce the golden
rule In the East, and to allow no Biblical despoling
OF the heather. But 1t becomes q question whether
GLIDING tae United States, will submit to the forced
constructions Of the Burlingame Treaty, and the
relations or China with England, France Holland
and Germany may be complicated owing to the
backward steps which the Chinese are taking. Our
government Is anxious that there shall be no inter-
ference with our commercial privileges and no OBJ
stace thrown In the way Of our shipping interests In
the Pacific. Ever since Mr.. Stewards famous speech
IN the Senate twenty years ago, recounung the
advantages which would accrue to us from an en-
Ightened and generous intercourse with the nations
Of the East, and pointing out the Pacific Ocean as
the future highway OF American commerce, the
idea OF a broad and comprehensive policy has been
crystazing in the minds Of our leading states-
men, but this is the rst really intelligent effort TO-
ward giving II force and direction.
The selection Of Rear Admiral jenkins to COM
mand the Asiatic squadron was made solely with
this object in view, and he will go out not only
thoroughly informed on the whole question OF
Asiatc and American intercourse, out ior all
practical purposes more as an ambassador IMAM as
o naval offcer OF the government Great Judgment
and skill will be required on our part 10 prevent
trouble with China, and these he Is pelieVed 10 pos
sess In an eminent degree. His familiarity with
our navigation laws his recognized ability as an
executive oficer and his ready sympathy with the
spirit Of American progress, as well as mis- claims
on account or rank and erlcient services, CON-
mended him as the ftest person to be entrusted
with these important duties, and the most benen-
cal results are expected.
Il Is understood that Rear Admiral Boggs, who
has lust been relieved from the command OF the
European squadron, will succeed Rear Admiral
jenkins as Secretary of the Lighthouse Board.
The duties OF Rear Admiral jenkins, commanding
our feet in Asianc waters are likely to be effectively
simpnned by the provisions Of the treaty when It Ia
expected the imperial Embassy from Japan, now on
It's way this city, viii negotiate Other important
results are sure TO follow the anticipated action OF
| Japan and the United States, and the probable
character Of these are being discussed here. Not
the least significant Of these results looks, Is pre-
sumed, Qwayds lesseplpg the hold VI Russia in TING