The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-30
JAPAN.

HARBoR IMPROVEMENTS BY GOVERNMENT
MILITARY PROFESSIONALISM JURISDICTION IN
INTRICATE cAsEs-Is FOREIGNER ON BOARD
AN AMERICAN WAR SHIP CITIZEN OF THE
UNITED STATES
YOKOHAMA, Dec 81 1874
The japanese government has, at last, under
taken TO improve the harbOr OF Yokohama. A
pier is 10 DO constructed which will extend nom
tie site OF the present boat landing In dat curve,
To the distance OF $500 feet. This distance will
carry The pier so far out that there will always be
depth OF water at its entrance of five and three
quarter fatholns AMI depth OF at least four
fathoms for $500 feet. 1t will enable twelve or
hiteen good sized vessels TO tie up at a time. A
oreakWater Is also In contemplation; but this will
not be built immediately The sum of 81 600, 900
has been appropriated for these improvements
At present all vessels have to lie out some dis
tance In the harbor, there being no wharves or
piers, ana, In case OF bad weather., a vessel Is
often detained on account OF her Inability to take
in or discharge cargo; consequently it VIII be
vast Improvement for the better especially in the
case OF mar steamers, whose departures have ire.
quenty been delayed on this account.
CITIZEN AND MILITARY FETE.
saturday, the 10th inst, was observed as a
general holiday In Jeddo on account Of grand
presentation OF colors by the Mikado to four new
regiments which nave recently been formed. 1t
was generally supposed, even by Japanese officials
that tie holiday was on account OF the triumphal
entry OF the returning troops rom Formosa into
Jeddo There was some ground for this belief "a
the vessels conyeying the troops had arrived IN
the harbor on the uay previous; but nevertheless
their fr rum, has been postponed TIL the 27th
INST THIS day Is 10 be observed rs q grand
gala day. all persons being for the day allowed to
take nnl i quantities OF saNi Japanese spirits
CURIOUS PRACTICES or FOREIGN CoNsuI.s.
In my last gave an account OF gross piece OF
snobbiShness on the part OF the English Consul at
Kobe. The persons fined Tor contempt appealed
from the decision OF tue Consul TO Sir Edmund
bS Iase r a 0 e NS sI9 0an
autocrat. The decision has not yet appeared IN
full.
have now to record very strange action on
the part OF the United States Consul General at
this port. nave already referred to a difference
that arose between the Consul General and the
senior naval officer In regard to fines infl.cted by
the former upon rOwdy sailors, In which the latter,
in my opinion, appears TO very little advantage,
and In which Mr.. Van Buren, showed great deal
OF forbaarance and patience. His action in the
case am about to narrate IS Tor that reason all
States ship Lackawanna-the same man that Mir.
Van Buren, fined about three weeks previous IN
the dilie renee nsiween the Consul General and ID
Captain McCalley-was brought before him on
charge OF oeing drunk and incapable On being
country he had been born Upon answering that
he had been born in England the Consul refused
TO adJudlcate the case and sent him before the
British Consul, who fined him 81 or five
days imprisonment. Upon what legal grounds
the Consul General refuses TO recognize q sailor
In an American snip. although an alien by birth,
cannot now say Certainly 1t IS against all pre-.
cedent and the opinions Of every American law.
yer here But as General Van Buren Is himself
lawyer he may be able to explain his action salts
fc:0rily He states that the reasons or his action
are, first, that the man stated under oath that he
mad never been In the United States; second, that
he was not aware oil the fact that he was the
same man that he had fined on former occasion,
ing as at that time the question of his ma.
tionallty was not raised third the statute law of
the United States gives him authority only over
citizens OF the United States, and that he cannot
see how being sailor in the United States
Navy makes the a citizen. However, he
himself admits that his decision may be open TO
doubt, ana he has laid the whole matter before
the STATE DenArtment.