National Republican., 1873-06-30
our RELATIONS WITH JAPAN.

OUR RELATIONS WITH JAPAN.
There Is something at once lnstructing and
amusing in the simplicity displayed by the
japanese in their efforts TO so reconstruct
their governmental system as to place them
selves In full accord with the civilized nations
of the world. They begin by the issue Of
orders prohibiting farmers from continuing
the custom, which has been sanctioned by
generations Of use, Of making presents to
local officials. They do this because the re-
celving and giving Of presents has the ap-
pcarancc Of bribery. The simple though
manifest Justice Of this step toward modern
reform shows thorough honesty, which is
rommendable, and could only have been born
Of an earnest belief that perfect freedom from
selfish interests Is a prerequisite to the new
civilization which they seek. They do not
appreciate the long struggle by which the
people in what We call modernlzed countries
forced the ofticc-holdlng classes TO forego the
profits and perquisites Of position; but strIk.
Ing of once at the root Of great evil, have
accomplished It's overthrow in single year.
But with all this determination to do what
Is right the japanese are somewhat depressed
ut the situation which has followed from their
efforts. II Is possible, however, that they
Uvcratc the causes Of annoyance which un-
doubtcdly exist. The leaders are mex
pcrienced In the art of modern government;
but, as we have shown, they arc In earnest,
and II the English keep their hands of from
them long enough the Government will he
solidly established and so systematizcd In lis
procedure that Ii will be impossible to dis
turb II. II should 10 remembered in this
connection that the present regime Is secure
for the simple reason that there Is no other
capable Of supplanting 1t. The "outs" are
even less informed in the art Of government
than the "ins," and besides have no re-
fourccs Of any kind at their command. II is
true that the finances Of the Government arc
Just now the subject Of much concern; but
they are under careful study, and no step
will be taken hereafter without thorough ex-
animation and inquiry. The desirable sit
uation Of perfect repose will give them time
for reflection, and the restraint placed upon
the rcformers will prevent rash steps. At
the same time 1t cannot fail to induce more
conservative policy than was indicated by
the earlier radical changes.
The great interest Of the United States
should be the preservation Of the independ-
cnce Of Japan but so long as there Is in the
United States generally such utter indiffer-
cnce as to other countries, the only aid that
we can legitimatcly extend, which will be Of
any service, Is the expression Of sympathy,
through the press and otherwise, in favor Of
that independence. That independence Is
even now seriously threatened, not from
causes which arise from the Japanese them.
sGG&S tnGHseiFGGss' in ne loo rapid lntroduc.
ton of new methods Of communication, new
clothing Of different cut and texture, and
new improvements Of various kinds which
absorb the money Of the people and divert
the trade Of the country. The direct result
Of this Is that the means Of procuring these
new Improvements, and Of paying for them
arc destroyed and exhausted. In fact, Japan
has become what she cannot afford to be
lust nova debtor nation, with large bal
ancc to pay to foreigners to be drawn from
the crippled resources Of her Industries
While the United States should advance al
possible moral support, we should at the
same time desist from suggestions or advice
which will impel Japan too fast IL
the way Of reform, and thereby DESTROY
her capacity 10 reap the rich harvest which
will certainly follow from careful and not too
rapid cultivation. We must be patient ant
allow the new government to creep before Il
begins TO walk.
1t the same TING VIC must discourage othe
nations In their demands. Our ExecutIy,
cannot do this so thoroughly as the newspa
per press can In the encouragement of gen
crous public sympathy. It Is better, SO fa
rs our own interests are concerned, tha
Japan should be strong and independent thai
that she should be largely indebted to Grea
Britain and the continent Of Europe for nov
improvements that her people do not ye
comprehend the use Of, and for the paymen
of which they cannot acquire the necessar
means without deranging to its very bottor
long.establishcd social system which
seemingly adapted to their circumstance,
AS public opinion become crystallized in r,
latlon to the republics of South America an
their destiny, 50 1t might be formed as
Japan. Our friendship for those Govern
ments would never tolerate even the posslbl
ity that they should fall under the contrt
OF European influences. So by prope
direction public opinion may become cumu
lated as TO Japan, and the United State
would then be placed In an independent al
titudc, incapable Of cooperating witt
European powers In such line OF policy a
will inevitably bring under European contrc
all the benefits and profits OF q commercial
intercourse which involves the serious ques
tlOn Of domination in the Pacific ocean. W,
arc not prepared to pay the expense Of
large naval display In the North Pacific, rid
Ing In the harbors of Japan and cruisln!
along the coast Of China, as q demonstration
Of our strength, but our Government can re
fraln from giving any Endorsement TO un
usual demands, or from acquiescing In tn
schemes of those of our citizens engaged ii
commercial enterprises which interfere witt
the prosperity Of this new people, though the,
may advance the interests of others. Ii
short, we cannot be too careful In our rela
tons with the Japanese, and our first objec
should DO 10 avoid all appearance Of any
thinglike jObbery, and to Tepress so far a
We eau the efforts Of other nations In In
same direction. With clear conscience w
can cry "hands of, gentlemen" and then
being free from all foreign influences, Japa
will retain her independence as well as he
partlallty for the United States.
TnE QUESTION Of reannexlng Alexandra
to the District of Columbia Is the subject O
much discussion in that ancient burg. Tn
exact method by which this is to be accom-
plished II accomplished ut all, Is not readil
asccrtalucd; buL IL Is known that interektel