New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-05
RELATIONS OF JAPAN TO FOREIGN POWERS.

RELATIONS OF JAPAN TO FOREIGN POWERS.
DETERMINATION OF JAPAN NOT TO BE DRIVEN INTO
WAR WITH CHINA-PRoGREss OF THE NEGo-
IIATIoNs THE sIMoNOsEKI INDEMNITY THE
SHARE OF THE UNITED STATES DEMANDED.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 4.-The steamship Great
Republic arrived here to-day. She brings Yokohama
dates TO Aug. a.
The Japanese adhere to their determination not to DO
driven with China except in the last extremity
The whole tendency of their present negotiations is pa
cc but $50 many influences operating against them
that they feel the necessity OF fully preparing them
selves To large bodies OF troops have been as
sembed certain southern ports ready for instant de-
parure need and several large steamers nave
been added to their transport feet The most important
OF these are the Pacific Mail Company's ship New-York
purchased for $25OOOO and the ships Acantha and Ma
dras s1lsOoO and $4,000 respectively In regard 10
the New York it is possible that the claims for commits
sons, yet unsettled ard about to be- adudicated, VIII
swell the amount paid to the japanese to s2SOOoo'
Gen. Legendre who sailed for China fortnight ago
to continue the peaceful negotiation begun in Formosa,
was arrested by United States officers ON LANDING al
Annoy 1t Is yet known whether he will be Temporal
rily or permanently detained. Astonshment at the
news OF his chiefly caused by the fact that the
pacific character of his mission was known TO every
body 1t is looked upon another proof OF the deter
mnation foreign representatives to obstruct the
efforts of Japan to arrive fair understanding. No
foreigner acting behalf Of China has been moested
interfered with in any way. The japanese Govern
ment fortunately foreseeing the possibility OF obstacles
in Gen. Legendres dispatched other commissioners
Immediately after his departure. who could not be hin
dered in tho funlment of their duties. The hrst OF
these is Okubo Minister OF the Interior and member
Of the highest Board of the Government His assistant
Yoshshara an officer Of the Treasury Department and
the head Of the Yokohama Customhouse. They are 10
proceed directly TO Peking. Accompanying them IS
French gentleman in the legal service OF the Japanese
So eager are the foreign ENJOYS to deprive Japan OF all
kinds OF foreign counsel in this emergency that the
French Minister undertook TO detain this gentleman
Having and complete knowledge OF the law on
his side, he able to convince M. Berthemy OF the
danger Of the course he was pursuing. the japanese
are still hopeful of disqualification as the result OF this
mission The Mkado takes the keenest interest In
the deliberations OF the Government on the Formosa
question. On the 4th inst he personally visited the
office OF the Dajokwan. the first board OF the Gov
ernment and presided the debaes-an act almost
without precedent in modern times
Gen, Myers and Col Lyicrd OF the United States
Army, specially commissioned by President Grant TO
bring presents of new and improved arms to the soVe
reign of Japan are Yedo. On the 10th OF August
they were, with Minister Bingham received by the
Mikado. In the event Of war with emma IL Is prop
able that these instruments Of attack, among which
were Calling guns, would be used immediately. 1t does
order forbddng their delivery to the Japanese author
tiles.
The affair OF the Simonoseki indemnity has taken a
turn that could have been anticipated by Amer-
cans. Mr.. Bingham has received instructions from
Washington to demand full payment, and the amount
has been deposited to his credit The grounds upon
which the order from the State Department was based,
are not that claim is just that the United States
Government desires the money but solely that other
Governments concerned have received their SHARE
must also be paid according the bond The japanese
are greatly chagrined, not wholly account OF the I'M
looked for loss of mone but principally because they
had been given to understand for the last two years
that balance Of the payment would never be exaced
In this conviction they felt themselves in better posi-
ton TO resist the aggressiOns OF other nations.
They now consider themselves free to believe that the
assurances OF forbearance and unwrngness to press
an extortionate demand, nothing but empty de-
camatons. 1t is understood that Mr.. Bingham deeply
regrets the decision OF the State Department, which,
he bound to enforce. He has not, to
this moment taken possession Of the amount, hoping
that another mail may bring some modification OF his