The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1872-10-12
From japan.

Through the favor OF the Hon. G. C. Harris. we
have received the Dally Japan Hayad of August
S0tn. brought by the British ship IcH4to~. WEien
arrived on Wednesday from Yokohama. en- route TOT
the GuAnO Islands. We copy several matters OF IN
trrest from the papers at hand. the principal one oil
which however. i respecting the case OF a Peruvian
cooiie ship. with $50 passengers on board. when
had put into the port Of Yokohama IN distress No
more convincing. and at the same time surprising
evidence could be afforded Of the enlightened pro
gress which the japanese Government has ulads
than this instance OF its Interference m TIE hame %
humanity and taking the part OF the oppressed
foreigner.
II appears however that the matter did Eot end
here. a. the German Consul. supported by the Dan
ish. Netherlands and another Consul. obJeciedi orm-
ally 10 writing TO the Judgment of the Governor
The Chinese also had expressed their determination
not TO return on baard the ship the captain wnniec
70 know who was TO pay for his 10 days detention
and altogether matters were rather unsettled
His Imperial Majesty the Mikado has paid a flying
visit 20 Yokohama, which was quite unexpected,
there being no previous announcement HEs Majesty
was on his return TO TedO from his southern IMP
and whilst steaming up the bay TO that place sud-
denly changed his mind, and ordered the heet 10
steer for Yokohama No official ceremony oil any
kind took place during his visit, which only lasted
nine hours. His Majesty Wss met on landing oy
Owe Taku, the Acting Governor, and then proceeded
to the Saibansho, where, after p~artaking refresh
ments, he remained until 6 p. NJ, when a special
train was put on TO convey His Majesty TO fedo.
The authenticity Of the reply Of the Coreans to
the despatch OF the japanese, sent some three years
ago, demanding payment Of the arrears Of tribute, as
published in the -NfShin ShinJisi, has been denied by
the Foreign Office, which states that those who nave
read IL are 10 consider 1t untrue, lnasmuch as the
Mikado sent q letter to the Corea three years ago,
bat as yet no answer has been received. The official
denial is discredited.
Mr.. Van Reed, Hawaiian Consul-General, has just
returned from a short trip to Fuziyama, having sue
c-eded in ascending on the 18th inst. Several for
eipners have been compelled to reluctantly forego the
ascent lately when within half way. of the top, owing
to the severe weather; and as guides will refuse to
make the ascent after a few more days, those desir-
Gus Of making the pilgrimage to this celebrated
mountain, cannot do better than embrace the present
season.
Peruvian barque, the .HariG Luz, with coolies
from Macao, bound to Peru, has been driven here
by stress of weather, and having completed repairs,
was Just about proceeding TO sea, When one Ol the
coolies, wishing to escape from the ship, Jumped
overheard to swim ashore, but, getting exhausted, ne
could get no farther than II. u MS s. Iron Duke,
where, being observed, he was picked up and carried
on board, praying for protection. de was handed
over to the japanese authorities, VINO sent MIN on
board the taraue again. The captain then beat him,
and cut of his cue for attempting to escape. This
coming to the knowledge of Mr.. Watson, H.. b. MS
Charge d'.AfIireS, an investigation into the matter
was suggested by him to the japanese Government.
Since then others have attempted to escape in the
same manner. The Acting Governor has now been
engaged in the matter over five days, the evidence OF
those coolies examined going TO show that they have
been badly treated and insuficiently fed. Several
more have vet to be examined. The captain has
meanwhile protested against the detention OF the
ship, and has notified the authorities that he shall
hold them liable to the extent of SlOO for every day
that his ship is detained.
The following is the concluding portion of the
Judgment of the Governor OF kanagawa, glveH IN
the enquiry concerning the passengers on board the
Peruvian bark Maria Luz:
The punishment which by japanese law may be
inflicted for the offences proved IS severe, being no
less than 100 lashes on the offender, or, in lieu of
stripes. 100 days. confinement in his house regard
being had to the rank of the person guilty. Fur
Their, the Court may, in its mercy, pardon the
offender. In the present case, the Court, consider
ing all the circumstances, and all that has been
urged on the masters behalf, considering also that
the captain has been delayed for n long time, and
subjected to much inconvenience already by reason
of the proceedings, and desiring TO Judge him
leniently, that Captain Hereiro be par
doned his offence, and be permitted to depart with
his vessel. The Court also further expresses its
strong disapprobation of the conduct of the captain
in inflicting these punishments upon his passengers
and restraining them of their liberty. Those pas
sengers are Chinese subjects. and while within this
realm are subject to the duties and possessed OF the
rights and privileges Of all other Chinese residents.
The captain is reprimanded because he did not ap-
ply for redress against alleged misconduct of passen-
gers to this Kencho. In pursuing this lnvestlgation
il has been found that there are thirteen persons
who, it is alleged by the captain, have entered into
a contract to 90 on board this ship to Peru, and then
to serve for a period of eight years as house SER
wants. These contracts appear on their face to be
good and valid, and are without any particularly
Objectionable features, except that the persons de
scribed are minors. Each of them, however, vehe-
mently protests that he was decoyed on board the
ship. Each prays that the contract be cancelled ana
himself set free. As to any questions which might
arise on these contract, or others which might IN
connection with the present inquiry be urged re-
specting the so-called "coolie traffic." 1t is not
thought they are in any wise before this kencho for
consideration or decision. If these questions are
brought before the Kencho upon the contracts by
which it is alleged these passengers are bound, they
will then be examined and determined. Either
party has the right to institute an action upon his
contract, either for its enforcement or its cancella-
ton, and 10 ask an adjudication thereof. 1t is fur
| ther recommended by this Kencho that the ship
papers, and all documents and property which have
been either deposited in the Kencho or taken from
on board the ship, be returned to the captain.
Kanagawa Kencbo,
Kanagawa, 26th August, 1872.