New-York tribune., 1873-05-14
JAPAN.

PROSPECTS OF THE CURRENT YEAR.
DIFFICULTIES OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES PERus-EFFECTs
OF CHANGES UPON THE MAssEs-F1NANCIAL EN-
ARRAssMENTs-CORRUPTION AMONG OFFICIALS
DISREGARD OF POPULAR NTEREsTs-NEcEs-
s1TY FOR NATIONAL UNION-THE NLw CALENDAR
QUESTIONABLE EDICTs.
fFRoM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THB TRIBUNE
YEDo, Jan. 10.-The year which has just
begun will probably present greater difficulties OF inter
nal administration than any that the Government OF
Japan has encountered since il entered upon ts re-
markable career Of progress and reform. The great
changes which we're deereed last year and successfully
put in operation been looked upon by many g
ganc experiments, the question OF whose ultimate exc
cutiOn must be determined by time IL il undoubtedly
that if any reaction at all is 70 be expected II will
occur within the twelve months The voice of the
people really yet been heard upon the important
notifications Of the social and political system which
followed each other with such extraordinary rapdity
about a year ago. The immediate effect Of the various
movements was upon individuals and limited
classes, and it apparent that these had
no power interrupt the fulhlment Of the measures
which had planned. The daimOs surrendered their
hereditary rights with scarcely show OF resistance ana
theoca of the cid provinces assumed the
central power with sign Of opposition or ilwill
the part OF the pOpulaee. Rigorous enforcement Of
taxes in two cases, provoked demonstrations 70
which political color given by the leaders, but
which really had purpose beyond that OF endeavorng
20 redress certain of alleged Injustice and Oppres
SION among the farmers sufficiently clear that
nothing is ever be apprehended from the deposed
Misunderstanding as a body-Or from any combination Of
the former retainers their masters interests The
ancient sentiment OF feudal loyalty stin conspicuous,
but IL appears TO have the OF purely personal
devotion such II is not discouraged by the Gov
ernment. The mobiles being separated from their
g.g.Hvva
ous parts Of the earth. with pensions Just sufficient
TO keep up faint suggestion Of their former dignity
there IL no objection much sentimental fidelity to
ward the recollection Of what they once were as their
followers may choose to feel express. The Govern
fnent seems have done ts work very thoroughly IN
eradeating every element OF strength and influence by
which they could have become dangerous. The most
formidable the attaches Of the old regime have been
wisely propitiated. and with or two notable
exceptions IN the service of the MkadOs Court They
have almost all been withdrawn from the districts IN
which they resided and dispatched 10 remote regions
where their abilities may be eicaeous for peaceful re-
suits hut where personal prestige would enable them
70 attach the multitude 10 them for aggressive ends
Moreover. the old provincial landmarks have been
urely removed. The boundary lines are all different
from what they were FIVE years that clans which
had for centuries been united under ruler now find
themselves completely separated and, 70 some extent
existing under conditions which make their interests
divergent
The Government therefore, s free from all anxiety on
the score OF any revolutionary movement tending co ihe
restoration OF the abandoned system; but it must al
ways be remembered that the Government IN Japan,
means the combined force aud sway Of the principal
leaders IN the great operations OF ls67-the powerful
soutbern Statesmen. They have never rcnqushed the
power when they obtained by the eIv aud though
the prominent partieipaOrs the coup dtiai with the
single exception OF shimadzu saburo. all dead. the
national control ia as rmy the hands OF their
family advisers. To this moment all the great offices
continue to be held by men OF satsuma, Chosu, HEen,
and their allies, few important subordinate places