New-York tribune., 1872-02-12

Themselves as TO present far stronger obstacles to
the development Of the central power than ever The
Individual dairnios could haze done Some OF them,
indeed have already "iusted" leave their die
tant posts and attach themselves Of the Boards
| Of Government IN Yedo, and have been replaced by
officers more directly in tho service OF the Ministry IL
IS quite certain that the Administration do not count
upon an Immediate and universal realization OF their
project They do not hesitate 20 admit that IL may be
long tine before these be put inthorOug execution
but they are Of course firm in the expression Of the
conviction that their eventual triumph IL inevitable
That the movements in progress must be In many
spects beneficial to the country there can be little doubt
The utradespotc treatment OF the exdaimos who are
subjected TO restraints, at least in the matter Of
pulsory residence at the capital which the Toku
gawa dynasty attempted TO enforce. is counter
balanced by degree Of hboralty in general legislation
which seems almost without limit. Social distinctions
of all kinds virtually swept away Tire outward
signs OF rank though not absolutely prehibited are
strongly discouraged in official procamatons the first
results Of which the gradual disappearance Of swords
from the sides of the gentry and the adoption OF foreign
dress by all who afford II, beginning with many Of
the leading members OF the Government themselves.
sudden Indifference inequalities Of rank has taken the
place OF the former rigorous divisions Of castes
races, the other day. daiOs students soaiers
and mia Imperial princess mingled freely and without
restraint The son Of ex-"kuge." named sawa.
one Of the highest order Of the Old nobility
bis own pony and made himself extremely popular by
being thrown and slightly injured. In the matter Of
foreign intercourse and trade the Government appears
10 be preparing for the speedy removal Of all unreasOn
able restrictions There hardly limit, now, TO
the privileges Of European and American residents, and
the old prohbitOry laws against the expectation OF
japanese products are, good measure, set aside.
Perhaps the most decisive step IN advance is the re-
centydecreed reformation the educational stem Of
the country.
The japanese have many schools for instruction in
foreign languages, sciences SC, which. until recently
have been maintained at an enormous cost, and not
always with such advantageous results as the NUM-
dcent expenditures ought to have commanded II
ras often been painful enough 20 witness the mis-
application Of their hberahty; hut, with perversity
which perhaps arises from their having been repeatedly
mised by unfair and interested counsel, they have
seemed resolved 10 be guided by experience however
costly rather than by even the most friendly pre-
ccpt. BY this sort of persistence they have done
themselves some harm. and have and then brought
a great deal of ridcue upon themselves. II IS only
short time since everybody laughing at the ease Of
a Polish gentleman who employed by the Foreign
Office 10 give instruction In Russian aud German ana
who understood neither and Of Swiss advenurer who
remained for months al the head or the German De
partment in the principal college before his ludcrous
lnconpetency was discovered. Against mishaps Ike
these they cannot protect Themselves and they are yet
too suspicious 10 accept the protection that might be
afforded by Others but far they see their way
they appear determined to let nothing interfere with their
desire for substantial Improvement Until few days
ago the number of scholar in attendance at the chief
college about twelve hundred This by decree of
the Minister on Education. has been reduced to 1--WE
hundred the best pupils being retained, and the Others
distributed among preparatory schools, which have been
established elsewhere for the purpose. Those who
remain will, henceforth live in n kind Of clover
to which few japanese have ever been
accustomed. Looking to their bodily, as well
as their intellectual welfare the Minister has resolved
that they shall al provided NJ Government expense
with foreign food and that the iuvarahe rice and fish
Of Japane-e diet shall give way nourishing meat, and
bread made from imported -four lie has also deceed
stately peasure-dome in the shape Of nding-school
and gymnasium, having evidently convinced himself
that for the students under his control vigorous bodies
are necessary conditions OF healthy minds. suppose
that in any other land innovations Ike these would not
be regarded as especially startling even worthy Of
particular observation; but here, where custom has
ruled so rgdy centuries in opposition to every for
eign idea this broad adoption Of hitherto .unrecognzed
hygenic rules is not without significance.
I'm all that relates TO the peaceful advancement of the
interests Of their country the japanese now look almost
exclusively 10 America for assistance for ehH-Ht
ennient i'm the various branches ot thr science oi
war they employ French and German teachers; bnt in
their schools American instructors preponderate. hA-
tensive agricultural Improvements about 10 be intro
duced throughout the Empire under the supervision OF
Gen Carron's Commission. The Island Of Nezo, untl
now almost entirely unexplored, is about to undergo
thorough examination by American geoloSists. And
which is perhaps most important Of all. an American
LEGAL adviser Mr.. T. F. Smith Of Washington has been
engaged by the Government, and s expected 10 arHVe
here in few davs Ever since foreign Ministers were first
received in this country the japanese have been more or
less at the mercy Of those who have been willing 10 take
advantage OF their ignorance of international law; and
the employment of a competent forci N attorney general
Is the best probably the only. method Of seifproecton
they could have devised II distant nations henceforth
repudate their treaty obligations as every one has more
or lees cranty done, at least the excuse oi not having
had nese obligations clearly pointed out TO them viii no
longer ne available J. H. H.