New-York tribune., 1876-03-29
TILE JAPANESE INDEMNITY.

secure his release on bail under the judicial process.
THE JAPANESE INDEMNITY.
REPAYMENT ADVISED BY A SENATE COMMITTEE AS
AN ACT OF NATIONAL JUsTTCE-THE FUND NOW
OVER 81 25O, ,OOO-THE AGGREssIoNs AND BAT
TIES WHICH MADE JAPAN OUR DEBTOR.
lrRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSR.l
WASHINGTON, March 2S.-SenatOr Freling-
huysen from the Committee Foreign Relations to
whom referred the resolutions and report OF the
New-York Chamber of Commerce in reference to the
Japanese Indemnity Fund has made report to the Sen
ate. The money composing this fund, the Committee
says paid to the United States at intervals
during the past twelve years, and that portion not ac-
tuay required to pay the damages and expenses for
which 1t stipulated has been invested In United
bonds and retained trust fund In the custody
Of the Secretary OF State After the payment Of all claims
proved against it, this fund amounts with Its inter-
accumulatOns, TO than S1250,0CO The subject
OF disposition has from time to time been brought to
attention OF Congress in the OF the Presi
dent and the Committee thinks that the subject should
now be disposed Of
The essential facts bearing the question are as
follows: The treaties formed by japan with foreign
powers caused great political excitement In that country,
which continued until the revolution of the Government
in 1868 The this disturbance the fear aud
suspicion OF foreigners which prevailed among the
people of Japan when the Tycoon actually formed
treaties of amity and commerce with these suspected
foreigners, there such O tumult OF excite
ment AS finally resulted in a civil war and In the
overthrow Of his power In this uprising several OF the
most powerful Damios local princes took leading
and active part, and among them was the powerful
Prince Chosn territories bordercd upon the
Straits OF mOnoseki, which connected the Japanese
inland with the Chinese waters He, in defiance OF
his Government undertook to prevent the passage,
through straits OF all foreign vessels and, in 1863
an American merchant vessel-the Pembroke-whcn
afr Ifa Nrat
teres. In retaliation for this insult to Nag, the
United States steamship Wyoming dispatched to tho
scene, and destroyed not only the land batteries but
several vessels belonging to the Prince. The japanese
Government promptly dsavowed the action OF the rebel
hous Prince and subsequently, arranged with tie Ameri
can Minister for the settlement OF the claim for damages
on the part of the owners OF the Pembroke.
Shortly after, the same Prince fired upon vessels be-
longing 10 the French and Dutch and the Tycoon
being unable to prevent these Outrages. expressed his
deepest regret the foreign representatives. and begged
additional time in which TO put down the rebellion
The representatives OF the Treaty Powers resolved to
take the matter into their hands, and dispatched
squadron OF armed vessels, II In ALL to remove the OBJ
stnlctiOn TO the passage Of the Straits The United
States having steam vessel IN japanese waters at
that time Minister chartered the Taang, at an eI
pense OF 50 500. The result Of the expedition was
complete victory. Immediately after t' return the rep
resenatiyes OF Treaty Powers held conference with
the Ministers Of the japanese Government, and de-
manded payment for damages resulting from this trans
action The indemnity was fl xed three million of dol
lars OF which the United States received S7S5OOO.
The only claims against this fund which have not
already settled those Of the officers and crew of
the Wyoming and Of that portion OF the officers and
crew the United States ship jamestown who manned
the Takiang They claim bounty or prize money under
the laws OF the United States, and the Committee con-
cde that while the vessels and batteries that we're de-
srOyed by their actions not technically those OF an
enemy aud while they not, therefore, technically
titled by law 10 bounty prize money, yet nasmuch as
by these actions which attended with dangers and
OF life, the United States became possessed OF this
large of money they entitled to some share OF
IT. The Committee. therefore, arrives at the following
conclusions:
First: The acts for which the indemnity was asked
were the willml acts Of the Japanese Government
nOT were they approved nor countenanced by IT.
Second: The japanese Government is justly held re-
sponsb for the actual damages and expenses arising to
tue United states or TO s citizens out OF these tTansac
tOs il been the true policy Of the United
States DGemnitl from weaker powers further
than necessary To cover actual dam ges' anu now
when the attitude ana policy OF Japan have undergone
complete change IL seems no LONGER just or mag1ian
from them greater than was actually
needed. =, ,.----.
Third: Ever since Japan open to the intercourse
Of the world the United States has felt genuine interest
in the affairs Of that country is plainly the true policy
the United States aid and encourage the develop
ment or her resources the education OF her people ana
the assimilation Of her laws and government 10 thOse OF
Christian nations In the disposition 10 be inside OF TINS
indemnity fund, therefore, We can WITHOUT any uiall
upon our resources give them example OF American
Justice and nagnanimlty which VIII DC Denencla 10 Do'h
nations. -, =, ,--,.... =, A., co,
sress should, in the first place, provide for ne na a
iudcaon Of any claims that may yet DC exlstng
this und As doubt may stu rs aGe "ierr 70 t' o IL
mended that they be referred to the PTsident no or @
these claims De reserved from tins fund.- ana that Tue re-
main the fund and IT. accumuatIOns OF Interest DO
paid over tO the Government OF japan.
,sl,s. I,ta Tho Enmm tpa