The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-23
THE COOLIE TRADE.
A British Ship with Chinese Coolies
I'm Port At Japan-Win the Mikado's
Omcers Seize Hcrs-A Grand Chance
for the Asiatic Philan throufsts.

I'm Port At Japan-Win the Mikado's
Omcers Seize Hers-A Grand chance
for tho Asiatic Philanthropists.
From the Yokohama Herald, May 22l
The arrival OF the British steamer Cyphrenes
with cooliesfrom Macao, would seem to present an
opportunity to the Japan csc government to distu-
and freedom OF Course netner the s1aadng
the firm TO which the vessel Is consigned nor the
fact OF the Cyphrenes being British ship viii for
moment be allowed to repress the noble rage OF
the government In taking instant proceedings
against everybody and everything concernedin
the Infamous traffic OF transferring men from .
country where their labor Is not in demand to
another where It Is. or course, with the prece-
Maria Luz, no legal or internstonal Obstacles csn
or will be permitted TO stand In the way OF short,
sharp and decisive action; Mr.; Watson need not
to swim TO the Iron Duke; nor need Mr.. Nisht
Snigenori, President Of the Japanese Judicial De-
Captain shall have lodged any formal complaint OF
the conduct OF his passengers. All this would be q
Gated when human liberty and perhaps human life
Is at stake. 1t Is only fair 70 assume that
s a their w thew Saes
any, must er necessitate be incapable OF being
enforced that they 40 trsitto bad and vodable
through fraud; that the coolies themselves must
have been kidnapped; that they do not wish to
prosecute their voyage further; that they are
afflicted with home sickness, having a longing de-
sire to return to the bosom or their familes-to
the plenty OF their own land with all its hallOwed
joys of gambling and opium smoking, from which
they have been SO ruthlessly dragged or persuaded
away, to crafty the accursed thirst for gold OF
their unconscionable masters Mr.; DYE TAX should
send telegram forthwith to Mr.. Soyeshlma, now
at Peking, to inform the Chinese government that
the Japanese authorities are willing to accept
in that OF the Peruvian vessel. The
fact OF the Cyphrenes being British y>ssel VIII
government, the obligation OF the Inference since
1t will show how terribly in earnest the Japanese
has t. dared 10 oR per b r
audacity to beard the British Lion too. Other
countries may duplicate themselves and sully their
fair fame by participating In this unhoy trafc, but
not Japan or she would degrade herself to the level
OF Portugal or Peru 1t Is true she may have en-
forced labor within her own boundaries but that
Is not known to the world no scandal results, and
no 6ctdt would therefore ensue by putting an end
to what Is both economical and convenient to
practice.
AS nowadays things require to be done in q
sensational manner, and as 1t begins to be high
time for the news of some other startling novelty
to be telegraphed to Europe and America, the au-
thorties should seize the Cyphrenes taking her, as
prison the Captain, officers and crew, set Tree the
coolies and return them to China If all this is
done promptly, without regard to any coldiy re-
pressive considerations, that such high-handed
proceedings might be deemed by heartless Minis
proper and unlawful It viii produce abroad 70 USe first
class sensational effect. American journalists,
sssPPecia could Teve in aenoancins
philanthropy, being trpped up In his Infamous
career, and laid owby the superior humanity ofthe
British Minister, Sir Harry Parkes, would consider
1t part OF mis- duty to fret and (uIe over the affair
q little; but he has not reputation to make or
position to GAIN the same as when young man,
when the affair OF the lOrcha Arrow was in hand
years ago IN China; and beyond remonstratingand
overworked young men at the Legation. much to
their disgust, hall the night IN copying them, the
Minister Is not to be dreaded. Besides healthy
antagonsm of this kind between the members OF
the Japanese government and Sir Harry Parkes
favorable impression abroad that they are too
much under his tutelage, and this will be an exht.
biton OF manly independence entirely consistent
with the greatness OF the country whose interests
they administer. y
Cyphrenes are not at present under any contract,
but are proceeding to America as passengers, at
either somebody's expense or their own, to enter
into engagements there, that fact ought not to be
allowed to influence the government in the least.
Acting IN its paternal capacity, 1t can only regard
the coolies as mere children. ignorant and unin-
formed OF the ways and wlles OF the world, VINO
are either deceived already or who are soon
TO be deceived and betrayed hereafter With these
mems OF humanity, the government will not surely
permit itself to hesitate in taking instant action;
for even though IL should be slightly wrong, and
would have to smart for IL, the superstition that
its action would be morally right. that should JUS
ty 1t in the good opinion OF philanthropists; and
though II should become martyr to Its generous
impulses In putting an end so far as its power ex-
take its rank alongside the great Powers of Eng
land and America-Engand, who had to part with
Its its millions Millions to compensate Jamaica planters,
purge itself OF the stain OF enforced
labor Compared with these, an apology TO Eng
land and compensation to the owners and charter
ers OF the Cyphrenes are such mere bagatelles to
nation like Japan-burning to distinguish itself
and caring neither for apologies nor expense
that these drawbacks cannot surely be allowed to
interfere with action SO well calculated to make
STIR among foreign nations. As interna-
t0nal law Is always In process OF modification or
creation we may expect that in some revised edi-
ton OF wheaton or other authority the cases
OF the Maria Luz and subsequently that OF the Cy-
phrenes VIII hereafter be quoted as precedents,
teaching the great maritime Powers a lesson in
practical philanthropy and international law which
they can never forget. Thus Will Japan cover her.
self with an imperishable renown.
The "Emigrant" Traffic Exceedingly Ac.
tive In China.