The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-10
The Cabinet Complications Of the MikadO
Brought to a Termination.
A Powerful EX-Minieter Ell
fectually Humbled.
National Progress, with I'M
perial Caution.
American Interests Becoming Universal
Americans as Industrial Instructors.

continues apparently unchanged, and the weight
OF uncertainty and anxiety that checked the prog
ress OF public business has not yet been entirely
removed; but II Is now certain that the embar-
rassments OF the government are virtually at an
END and that within few weeks the course OF
affairs viii be resumed with an energy that har'
monious co-operat1 alone could render poss-
BILE. During the last four months tire administra-
ton has been almost literally at standstill Sew
sral OF the most important Of the Cabinet o1icers
have steadily absented fhe4selves from the meet
1ngs OF the Imperial Council and remained so
cluded in their private dwellings. The depart
ments under their control have been left In the
hands OF subordinates, and the settlement OF
transactions OF grave consequence has been re-
peatedly deferred until it seemod as II serious
calsmties must be the inevitable consequence.
The causes OF this prolonged confusion have been
Indicated in previous letters. The sincere EFFORT
that was commenced in the beginning of the
year to reconcile the past Herences and TO unite
the diverse political factions in a cordial combina
ton was only partially successful. Certain of the
statesmen VINO had been In retirement for I'D
ward OF a year came frankly forward and offered
to resume their share in tho conduct or afrans;
but others remained peTsistently contumacious,
and great deal OF time and pains were devoted
to the possibly super1uous labor OF endeavoring
to convert them. The most prominent OF
this class was the former Foreign SecPe-
tary Soyezima, q man OF unquesuoned ability,
but also OF lnvincibe obstnacy In she ma ntenanee
OF his Individual views. 1t would appear that IN
the present crisis, he allowed himself TO be swayed
not only by principles, but by personal feeling
WELL His enmities are well known and in the
course OF the negotiations which we're opened
with the purpose OF making the way clear for his
return to ONCE 1t gradually came to be under
stood that he woud accept no position except
upsn condition that he should stand higher than
his rivals, or else, at least, one OF them should be
altogether excluded from the government. The
men against whom his abimosity was directed
were conspicuously distinguished for force ana
capacity, and that they should be sacrificed In.
order TO appease the irritation OF one who though
highly esteemed, was not absolutely ind,spensa-
BILE 10 the public service, was out OF the question
POWERFUL POLITICIAN, BUT DISCONTINUED AS AN
OFFICIAL.
go far as can be seen the stubbornness OF
soyezima had gradually the effect OF alternating
his adherents, and 1t is now believed that his
strength as q disturbing element In the State has
vanished Al any rate the government has de-
cided to do without him. He was several times
offered opportunities OF assuming once, and his
best frienes admit that the government went far
out OF its way to conciliaIe him. 1t was all I'M
awaiting, and he is now again stranded among
similar chance win ever come 10 him again Is an
extremely doubtful question.
NEW PLAN OF EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION
Other and Inferior obstacles to united action
existed, but these have been mostly smootbsd
away, and the administration Is about 10 take its
new departure. The Councillors Okubo and KIDD
are busy with the details OF tue new scheme or
executive REFORM which they will shortly present
for adoption, and the chief feature OF which Will
be great reduction In the number OF the 'Sangi"
or members of the Imperial Council and the con-
centration OF practical authority in the hands Of
q comparatively small body. The present "Sangi."
while surrenderlng their titles and highest func
tions will retain control OF the special depart
ments over which they are now stationed. Thus
the Ministers OF Finance, Foreign Affairs, Public
Works, &C., may hold their several positions, but
cease to have voice In the Cabinet. No one yet
knows positively who will be chosen 80 continue
In the higher sphere. II Is tceraby plain, how
ever, that Okubo Kide and Itagaki will be OF the
number, But until this issue and others de9en d.
ent upon IL are adjusted the operations OF the
government will not be resumed With real vigoP.
The further delay OF q few weeks is looked uEon
as unavoidable. The new Deliberatve Assemblage
(Genro M VIII not begin TO discharge Its duties,
such as they are, until that time. convention
OF ofneials rom the various provincial depart
ments WILL however assemble In the capital ON
the 20th OF June, under the presidency Of Kido,
In terior organization OF the Empire
AMERICAN OFFICIAL ACTION FOR NATIONAL NFLU-
ENCE.
and considerable criticism provoKed by the open
eudeavors OF the United States Minister to secure
tho prominent OF Americans TO positions of
emoiument In tho Japanese service. 1t has until
within short time been principle, accepted at
least IN theory, that foreign represen tatlvea
should ABSTAIN even from Offering suggestions in
this respect. Most or the western Ministers arc
positively forbidden 10 touch upon SUBJECTS OF tine
sort, and, although the Injunction has been Be-
cretly evaded by probably every one OF tnem, so
long as it formed part OF their instructions It
acted as wholesome restraint The government
OF Jeddo were aware that any pressure directed
against them in this particular would not be sane
toned by the authorities at home. Ministers did
push forward their c0untrym men with more or less
bodness, but there was danger for them in max
inc undlsghlsed efforts to PEI sion their fellow
citizens al the cost OF Japan. Few had the hardl-
hood OF that American Envoy who stated unre-
servedly that one OF hts constituents rom his own
State must be provided for lest he, the diplomatic
represen tative OF the United states, should lose
favonng influence in his future political career.
Until year ago our Legation was subject to the
same check as the others, but early IN 1874 argu-
ments were brought TO bear upon the state be-
partment and the legislators OF Washington
which produced remarkable cnange. 1t is said
that MIR. Bingham claims, with good deal OF pride,
the credit OF having instgated the reversal OF the
old system. am not In position TO say posi-
lively whether this statement Is correct or not,
but IL Is generally accepted as true, and | am
bound to declare that there are lew disinteres ed
observers who can sympathize with his reputed
sense Of decentralization. II one thing could
more rapidly ana OVERWHELMINGLY than any 0ther
Destroy the respect Of this government for q
foreign enemy ii would be the fact OF his holding
a wholesale commission for the advancement OF
the peouniary interests Of his countrJmen. And
this, unfortunately, is precisely the position In
which Mr.. Bingham is known TO stand. II is true
that Congress did not endow him with so much
license but he possesses the pOwer 10 exercise IL
notwithstanding. the act approved Juno II, 1874,
declares that no ofleer In his situation shall,
"wthout tho consent OF the Secretary OF State,
previously obtained, recommend any person az
home or abroad for any employment OF trust or
profit under the government In which he is To-
Gated" DC. IL Will be understood That, antece-
dent 10 the passage OF tho act In question, no
such recommendation could be rlghtfully made
under any circumstances.
THE LATITUDE ALLOWED By CONGRESS-
was certainly wide enough but there was a de-
gree or circumspoctiOn shown IN the provision
that the permission OF the department. should be
nrst asked for and received. Mr.. Fish, however
ct once addressed the Ministers Ia che East in the
following language :-"You arc consequently In