The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-21
THE SIMONOSAKI INDEMNITY.

Crooked Policy Of Japan to Its Pay
ment-EHglan France and Holland
Insist upon Getting the Balance Due
Diplomacy of the United Statcs-MOney
or Commercial Advantages.
The intelligence from Japan published in the
HERALD on the 10Th OF January is mostly taken mp
with the Simonosaki treaty or indemnity, by which
the government OF that Empire agreed to pay to
the United States, Great Britain, France and the
Netherlands the sum OF $4,000, 600 In reparatiOn Tor
the Outrages committed on the shipping OF the
above countries in 1868. The treaty, concluded
October D. 1864, stipulated that the whole sum was
TO be payable quarterly in instalmcnts OF one-sXth
or haf million dollars. One million dollars has
been hqnidated, and it appears that the repre-
sentatves of England, France and Holland are now
pressing for settlement OF the balance. Mr..
Bingham, the American Minister, acting no doubt
under Instructions holds alooi and desires that no
part OF the amount should be offered to him, at the
same time desiring il to be understood that the
American government is not disposed TO appear as
Offering rebuke to the movement OF the other
Powers concerned. A brief reference to the origin
Of the difficulty that resulted in the convention
or 1864 will throw some light on the course Mr..
Bingham has taken IN the premises.
THE ANTI-FoREIGN FEELING IN JAPAN.
In 1863 the nativisr daimios OF Japan formed
league and lodged complaint before the Mikado
against the Tycoon, charging him with being I'M
faithful to the legitimate Emperor in allowing bar
barians to settle in the Empire. The latter ex-
pressed his Willingness to appear in answer to the
summons of the spiritual ruler, and despatched
two functonaries after the other to convey the
intelligence TO Jeddo. Each OF these messen-
gers committed suicide on the road. In the
meantime Mort Dazen, Prince Of Nagato and
Suwo and other danios commenced eXpeng
foreigners from the territory under their ruic and
closing ther ports to foreign shipping. These were
acts OF open rebellion against the authority of the
tycoon. TWO English marines belonging to the
guard Of the British Embassy at JeddO were assas-
slnated ana four English subjects were attacked
on Inc nigh road by military escort. one or the
Europeans was killed ana the others severely
wounded. The Oficiai residence OF Mr.. Pruyn, the
and that gentleman was obliged to leave the cap.
ltal, his lie being IN danger.
THE WYOMING IN ACTION.
Mort Daizen, above mentioned, held possession
OF the straits OF SimOnosaki, which separate the
islands Of Kioo-Sioo and Nipnon and which form
June, 1868, tue American steamer Pembroke,
wnile passing through, was fired upon by
Japanese armed bark aud brig belonging to
the Prince Of NagatO. 1t being dark she fortu-
natey escaped. Mr.. Pruyn demanded satisfaction
and reDaratlOn from the government OF the Tycoon
| Wyoming to SimonOsaki, winch, after u brief en-
| gagemeht blew up the Japanese steamer, sunk
the brig and senced SIX land batteries, with the
loss OF iouf Killed and seven wounded. On the Sth
OF July French gunboat was fired upon at The
spoke the Dutch steamer Medusa, OF sixteen guns,
which had slso been fired upon by Mori Daizcn's
up the magazine destroyed the Diamio's residence
MORT DAIZEN SUPPRESSED
On the 25th of July, 1868, the representative Of
the United states, France, England and Holland
met at Yokohama and agreed that 1t was neces-
sary to use force Tor the maintenance OF the rights
secured by treaties concluded with Japan, and to
proceed Immediately with the reopening OF the
oil the tOur Powers agreed II
was also agreed that the government OF the
Tycoon should be informed Of the decision in order
that 1t might be enabled to take at once the requi
site measures. If 1t could, to effect with its own
. means the reduction to Submission Of the rebel
operation the allied squadrOns proceeded to
SlmonosaN and made short work OF MOn DalZen.
THE TREATY.
demand for indemnity was followed by the
treaty OF October 22, 1864 by which 600 600 was
agreed to be paid In consideration in part of as
Sstlng the Tycoon to observe the treaties with
western Powers. The third section reads -"lnas-
much as the receipt of money has never been the
object OF the said Powers but the establishment OF
better relations with Japan and the desire to place
these on more satisfactory and mutually advan-
tage0us footing is still the leading object in view,
therefore, If His Majesty the Tycoon wishes to Offer
in lieu OF payment OF the sum claimed, and as q
material compensation for loss and injury sus-
eligible port In the inland sea, it shall be at the
option OF the sad foreign governments to accept
the same or insist upon the payment Of the III
demnity in money"
THE JAPANESE POLICY.
IL would seem by the tenor OF the latest de-
spatches that the Japanese have delayed in either
meeting the conditions OF the treaty OF granting
the right OF trade with ports in the inland sea.
The United States seems willing to wait longer, ap
parently in the hope that additional commercial
advantages will he granted which our government
considers OF more value than its share of the re-
naming S2.000,000. The Japanese are unwilling to
enter into an arrangement with the four parties
to the treaty OF SimOnosaki, leaving ont Germany,
Russia, Italy and other countries. and also wishes
to have given up the right OF eX-territoriaty by
which litIgatiOns between American and European
citizens in Japan are tried in Consular Courts.
The strength being on the side OF the Western
Powers it is safe to conclude that the balance OF
indemnity will be paid to them. The United states
may gain by not insisting on its share.