The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-07-29
Mlioaleburp 8tglster
TUESDAY. JULY 20, 1873.
Our Minister Ia Japan.


There is considerable smoke about our
minister in Japan, Mr.. DeLoug The
Tribune rcl,rs tu him as "Our Disgrace
10 Japsu.' \ correspondent IRON Yed.
do directly charges him with FIVE particu-
lar deliUquencie-, some of which, 1t true,
are serious. The frat 10 that in living at
Yokohama instead Of Yeddo he maniiests
cowardice. This oflense certainly is hot
serious nor exceptional The English,
French, Spanish. Russian, Belgian and
Dutch ministers all live there, keeping a
Legation Office at Yeddo. If the inter.
ests of our people do not suffer by it we
can see no reason why he should not have
the largest liberty in that regard.
The second charge is that Mr.. belong
has presented and passed fraudulent
claims for payment. This is too serious
and indefinite for belief without specifica.
ton and proof, especially as he denies its
truth. He is entitled to credit for truth
and honesty until the contrary is proved
The third charge is that he has viola.
ted his instructions by recommending
persons to positions under the japanese
Government. This charge Mr.. belong
wholly denies Except in some unimportani
instances When the Government ap.
piled to him Tor crown counselor, 0
finance officer, custom collectors, agricul.
turists, &c, in every instance his reply
officially was that he was not allowed I,
pamv persons, and he referred this Gov.
ornment to the Secretary of State who
cooperating with the Japanese Minister
sen. out f. Peshine Smith, Gen Williams
Gen. Capron and staff, Messrs. Miller
Scott, and numerous others. He asks in
justice to be referred to one man in the
employ OF this Government, whose ap.
fointment has been asked for by him.
The fourth charge is that he is a pro.
tector of the coolie trade There is on
file IN the State department at Washing.
ton, his rendered resignation of the office
OF Hawaiian Minister, because the au.
thorities Of that Government, as he under.
stood, proposed to engage in that traffic.
And in the correspondence which passed
between him and the Peruvian Govern.
ment he says he avowed in distinct terms,
his own and his governments hostility to
that trade.
1fthese things be SO, they most effectu.
ally dispose of that charge.
The fifth charge is that he has con.
spired to overthrow the japanese govern.
ment. A correspondent from Yokohama
referring to this charge says that no resi-
dent Of Japan has before heard of an at
tempt ever having been made by any per-
sons, natives or foreigners, to reinstate
the Tycoonate. Certainly had Mr.. De.
Dong been thus engaged, and this Gov.
eminent knew of it, the Mikado, speaking
from his throne, through the Foreign
Office to our Government, would not have
asked for his retention as representative
there, nor have thanked our Government
and MIR. belong personally, in a speech
from the throne, in the presence Of the
Russian Minister, for his courtesy and
Kindness to the Embassy when in Amcri
ca.
We believe in holding our official
representatives to strict account for
their acts. but do not think they should
be condemned, even in the public senti.
ment Of the country, until we are sure We
have the facts in the case.