New-York tribune., 1872-07-05
AMERICAN INFLUENCE IN JAPAN.

AMERICAN INFLUENCE IN JAPAN.
ITS GROWTH AND PRESENT POwER-HOW 1T
MAY BE AUGMENTED AND HOW ENDANGERED
DECLINE OF TIE ENGLISH INTEREST
CAUTIONS NECESSARY TO BE EXERCISED Ply
TIE UNITED STATES-PROBABLE ADOPTION
or AMERICAN IDEAS AND PRINCIPLES.
JPROT THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.l
YEDO, MAY 20.-The remarkable growth of
American influence in Japan the reliance placed upon
American residents in developing the policy Of the
country, and the eager endeayor TO secure American
assistance both Of ana OF practical cooperation
In accomplishing the various projects Of administrative
reform which the Government has conceived have begun
20 attract great attention Until recent period 1t was
thought even By many Of those supposed to be most
directly concerned tnat accident, rather than design
had determined the selections Of agents and
advisers the leading public departments and that the
mere Circumstance Of national cOnuguity had perhaps
more than anything 70 do with the repeated engage
ments from the United States The majority Of Americans
residing here were, indeed, Of Indifferent TO
the fact that their cOuntrymen were gradually assum
ing an the important positions for which foreigners
are required, until it viyidly brought to their
by the bitter complaints OF one Of the guardians
Of British interests.
THE ENGLISH sUPPLANTED.
The English naturally should view with regret the weak
enng heirfomer hold upon the regardof japanese
At the time OF the change Of Government five years
their influence seemed almost unbOunded Their Envoy
regime than any other representative Of foreign
powers and for considerable time certainly appeared
as II the external policy Of the Administration was
guided solely by his inspiration. But in the successive
changes OF ministry that ensued, new elements were in
troduced whose sympathes he could not easily win,
and whose action he could not readily control. The
close ties between the Bkados court and the British
Legation which had formed only for political con-
veniences Of the moment, were loosened, and
the native leaders began 10 exhibit determine
lion 10 look about them with their own eyes,
and 10 establish their foreign relations upon broader
basis than that which had been laid down for them 1t
happened by what really lucky chance as things
CO. that the newly appointed Z. s. Minister was man
OF great deal OF activity and keenness and that he was
as prompt encourage he was rapid TO discern the
anxiety the part OF the members Of the Government
10 extend their field of observation and inquiry. The
British Minister longer stood alone, as he unques
tonably had up to that time. Our representative,
II not fulfilling in many respects the conditions OF
ideal Minister had the qualities OF quick adrotness in
recognizing the immediate needs OF the japanese, and OF
persevering energy in pressing essential DISCUSSIONS
upon the Yedo Cabinet which, on the whole, were pro-
ductve of good results am not aware that any direct
suggestions for the adoption Of American customs ever
proceeded from him; and it not on record that the
japanese were ever moved TO any immediate action,
either Of large or limited scope by his representations
AL things that have been done here great and small,
during the last years at least are now perfectly
we'll known 10 have been done by their unaded impulse,
IN spite Of the disposition Of representatives from every
country under the sun to associate themselves with the
several important public events The great movements
OF reform were without exception, complete surprises
10 the foreign legations. Not Of the resident Gpio
atists had hand in shaping them or even In suggest
ing them What Mr. DeOng did do. however. was TO
demonstrate at a very early period the nexpedency OF
being hammered by any exclusive adherence 10 the coun
sells OF n single foreign In this way he greatly
served the Japanese directly and his own country to
considerable extent Indirectly He might have done
more II he had followed Mr. Townsend Harris's plan OF
constantly residing al Yedo; but he was probably not
altogether alive TO this perhaps unwilling TO en-
oe the social deprivatons Of the capital At any rate
he did q great deal Of good. He helped the
Japanese 10 a clearer understanding OF their new
requirements than they had before possessed and as
a conseouence they presently ceased incumbering
themselves with number of the oppressive and un-
nroe,ahle burdens they had assumed Some Of these
were Of such nature that they could not be easily
shaken of and they still cling But their weight is 80
ealing that the Government will probably never open
chance OF their being duplicated Runousy extraya-
giant outlays with no adequate returns nave been the
nnvsrvin0 course Of almost all the great projects IN
which they have invited or accepted co0pera'ion Iher
railroad H 40 apt an illustration that 1t may serve as
general example IL runs through is miles OF mostly
level country In which cuttings OF emoahnehs are
neeAed-although one or two have been supernuousy
thrown mover ground which costs nothing ana mas
n0e track Of "a feet gauge; 1t has been two years III
course Of construction, and is not ia"S op ~
for traffic vet; 1t Is Acknowledged thai
iu brde4s and heaviest .embaDkmehS VIII