The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-24

hoped for nom Chinese Investigation. The
hostility OF the natives would make them insen-
siole TO ameaoie appeals, and the government had
neither the desire nor the means OF applying force.
II was then that the idea nrst began TO be enter
tanned by certain high Japanese Qbciais OF under
account In point OF acs Acre Was hardiy an al
Tentative. The gQoc faith OF the government was
pleuneu, aug = was impossible TO pass unnotlced
=" OF the winter Of ISL II only remained
by which the purpose should be carried into effect
The most vigorous aud daring member OF the Cab
met, az that period, was S0yezima, the Minister OF
Foreign Affairs While most OF ms colleagues were
the Boutans lesson OF humanity, he speedily say
the way 70 the possible execution OF a series
lead to results OF the highest advantsee To- Jaoan
and which II successful would certainly distin-
guisn his administration OF the Foreign Depart
eminent IN hls country's annals He satisfied him.
sen by toieraoly close examination that the Japan
snas n nsS Sue sso O. al
pied and had control OF the best part OF Formosa
ITSELF The question Is, OF course, one that be
quaintance with Asiatlc records than iofelgners
have yet gained. There is no doubt that
tneir settlements even as far south as the Philip
pines, where their descendants stlll continue 10
strictly Japanese IN every respect That great
numbers ofJ.panese inhabited Formosa two and
ose Who S MS s
they were IN dominant force there, and tnaJ tue
gradual reoccupation OF the island Would be
nothing but the resumption OF temporarily
alenated territory. they held that the establish
ment OF y trustworthy aud responsible Power on
the eastern coast would be an obvious benefit to
japanese authority Tor the barbarous misruie OF
the rude tribes would be universally welcomed.
BY their own processes OF reasoning they arrived
at somewhat the same conclusions as those OF Ad-
mrai Bel.-nanely, thai there could be no security
along the shores. The scheme was undoubtedly
vast one, especially when considered in cOnnec-
ton with otner aud kindred projects which need
not mere oe detained as they lie, for the present, in
allegiance. 1t naturally met with q great Deal OF
opposition and the majority OF the advisers o. the
government shrank rom engaging 10 an under
taking entailng such neavy expense, and pI olnis.
ing, at least for long time to come. such made.
qua recomoense- But Soyezima was q man OF I'M
usual energy and resolution, and MS influence was
paramount. The arrangements Tor executing the
scheme steadily progressed In the spring OF 1873,
went as Ambassador to Pekin, chiefly to law mis-
designs before the Chinese government. and to
OBTAIN their views upon that ana other proposed
Japanese projects HIS pubic diplomat TIC successes
during this mission are matters OF common noto.
rley. " was, IN :acG through HIM that the long
unsettled question d Imperial audiences was
D ought 10 prompt solution. His success IN the
more private negotiations, hitherto unrevealed
was not less complete so far as obtaining assur-
anCes OF sympathy, II not or cooperation, Could co.
Active cooperation not to be thought OF by the
chinese and at this stage OF affairs was certainly not
desired Dy soyezima. But ne fortified himself with
the declaration that the Pekln OfficialS were not
wiling TO take action themselves IN the matter,
and mat they saw no objection to any measures
winch the Japanese might see ut to bring forward.
After his return to Yeddo the movement was
pressed with all possible viSOr, and In tine course
OF lew months everything would have been pre-
pared Tor combination OF enterprises which,
Whatever their consequences, would have at
tracted far greater attention and y more vivid
interest tnan auy previous Eastern events OF mod
ern times But the return OF the Embassy, under
lwakura, rom America and Europe changed in
lew weeks the entire aspect OF affairs. In
what precise manner the second Minister Of
the Grown succe eded In OvertnrOwing the elab0-
rate projects which mad been matured during his
absence 1t Is not necessary here to inquire. he
came with the presLlge OF an extensive foreign
and his rank and 0filcial position en-
aoled him TO interDOse obstacles which could not
De surmu united. hlanv OF the principal Ministers
resigned Soyezinla at their head. A new Cabinet
Vas .ormed, ana Tor time nothing more was
yati0n OF the Fornosa marauders. IL has only be-
,ome recently known tnat the part OF the project
llcn c0ncernedtn the calling OF the murderers fine
deiaEo Islanders to account W as never abandoned.
The preparations continued W itlOut interruption,
though perhaps not SO rapidly as before. They
we're carried on with great secrecy, partly for
IONS 0i domestic policy, but chiefly from apprehen-
IONS OF interference BY representatives OF foreign
governments IL was not supposed that this ln-
perience OF the past lew years had taught the
Japanese 1t many mortilying ways that no i'm
without receiving such criticism aud unasked Tor
well Intended, out almost invariably
and amniel their most earnest Efforts TO careless
observer, nothing can be more amusing than the
disposition Of the foreign diplomatic corps to
It Is constant grief and Illumination.
md 1t has now become an accepted conviction
hat II any great work IS to be accomplished, and
effectively accomplished, BY the government, 1t
al De done on.y by Withholding all Information
egarding it until the last moment Thus It was
Win the p esent expedition. No lear was enter
aimed a. to the universal approval OF the move
me design was one which concerned not only
apan, but
THE WHOLE MARITIME WORLD
8 well. In the Droadest sense. It's success
would ensure relief from dangers which had beset
Tor q scure Of years. In the narrowest,
could not be logically d!sapproved. The right OF
government 10 take all necessary measures Tor
ne protection Of its subjects could never De dis
uted Tue Americans had undertaken the same
esses-nrst violently and aiterward pacincaily.
ne Japanese plan proposed simply reversal OF
ms y order OF proceedlng That Il could by any
Ign NEEDING kept them from betrayinG
ials, beyond the circle OF those who were
ecessarily engaged In the preliminary arrange
nents. ~ was however, found desirable to make
ne partial exception. Foreign assista was
equisie TO certain extent. That OF General lie
'endre who was more completely master OF the
ituatlon N formosa than any other individual,
Tas already secured. Possibly out o dc erence to
Is incnat ons. poss blv rom feeling that the
mite! States not 'orgetful q the Rover and Hart
hetic interest upon the movement IL was decided
nat Americans shonld be selected Ior the highest
OSti0nS OF trust and responsible agency.
Commander Douglas CasseH. re-
entity in command OF he Ashuelot, was invited
0 the post OF naval adviser and assistant
irector, with the rank OF Commodore in the
apanese service. he was already familiar with
ne localities to be visited, having already taken
General LIE Gendre tnither, in the Asnue0t In.
So. Lieutenant James 4. Wasson, formerly Of the
nited states Engineers, and or the past few
ears attacc ed to the Ye2o Colonization Depart
hlrp a np
peratons as occasion might render expedlent,
nd WIS appointed a colonel IN the Japanese army.
ne first named gentleman BENG on active duty
was necessary TO request the Navy Department
t Washington to allow MIN leave Oh absence. In
rder to obtain the cooperation ofthe United states
,nvoy IN japan, the essential details VI the pan
we're laid before MIN, together with an explicit
tatement OF the service In which Lieutenant Com
nahder Cassell would be expected TO engage. The
dinster cordially subscribed to the telegram,
which was Immediately sent to Washington,
declaring 0reny that IN his opinion, the appoint
nent would be beneficial to both nations--the
United States and japan. The response was
rOmpt acqulescence in the desire OF the JeddO au-
noriues. The expedition was duly organized