The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-08-13
The Remarkable Revolt in Japan.

The Remarkable Revolt in Japan.
Tie rebellion in Japan has now become
death struggle between the progressive and
conservative, or rcactionary, elements in
that country IT. origin IL obscure and even
the Japanese papers fail to throw much
light ON it, Strange Ia ~ay. the Toxic
1wDs is almost the only English raucr pub
l.-hcd lon Japan that shows decided SYM
pathy with the Government. Tine lcddcr of
Ga" insure tiou AlDOsIAkAMcHi. j. one of
the most powerful and popular members of
the Sat-ulna clan. lie has under his conn
naud about $1,000 rchol-. amt is a General Of
acknowledged ability At the time the
fcudal -ystcin was broken up and the great
paino~ stripped Of their power, hc was
the VI ikado', most trusted counsellor. From
1913 till 1876 he was one of the chief officers
Of the Mikddu's Government and COM
maudrr in chief of the imperial army.
What are the cau-'- which have led to his
change ui front. and why L. lac 80 cnthu-
siastically supported 10y thousands of
lapan"-c who accepted tine great revolution
which took place ten years ago;
The MihSdo has kept faith with the DAT
mics aud their lrudu followers. lie has
steadily hut slowly walked in tho path
marked out for him as - reforming ruler by
SAlGu TAKAMOKG and his brother Ministers.
The fact j.. tine reforms thus far effected
have been hitherto moro show s. and super
fetal than real and there l. a growing dis
trust of the foreigner ami Of his ideas. To
understand one If the great currents If dis
content which ha- materially sw"lled the
revolutionary movement. it j. necessary Ia
49,.
with the lis lo-~,.s-"d hereditary mobiles IN
lists, tho-" mobiles We're di~po-s,'~-rd OF their
vast domains. aud deprived of their fcudah
rights. aud the duty uf maintaining their
great armies OF r'taiucrs was assumed 10y
the central Government. This step was
accessory for the com, lidation Of the
imperial power. Ihcre wore Instances OF
course, wh"r" a Dainio wa- man
ct unusual ability. amt a. am ally of the
Government could. in tune Of rebellion or
war with a foreign power. roud'r great ser
vice. The vast majority Of this class how
ever, were mere puppets in the hands Of
their retainer. who managed the revenues
aud wagod war with other clans az pleasure.
\ -rhrr.r of compensation for the loss eu--
taiurd hy Daimiu- aul their rctan.is WA
drawn up 10y SAlGo. th" present leader OF
the rolrlli' u. and II wa~ put into practical
operation in 1873. For the purpose OF effect
ing II. the sum OF Sruun YDt lor dollars
was borrowed in the London market. Tho
plan adopted VIII. "tir capitalization and
extinction of the hereditary and lie pensions
oi the uuhl"~ and gcutry. Incomes derived
from this sou.ce Of S70.UOO nEu upward Will
hc cytingu-hod in five years, and those
from S7uuoo 20 $1,000 in seven and half
years. The price iaid is exactly tenth
of the average income OF each noble. and this
VIZ cons ilored fair, since they were relieved
of an icudal Responsibilities and Attendant
rVprn-oe Thonct annual saving TO the Gov
crnmcnt up TO the closc OF 1876 has been cs-
timatod at SSooc.OoO a year. The security
offered by the Government is not good. but
hitherto it has on its side faithfully fulfilled
its promises and on this ground there il No
excuse lor rebellion. There il no doubt.
However. that the Samouri class have como
To realize the fact that. as great governing
power, they ar" hciug GRADUALLY oXtin-
guishcd, and they have NOT been slow 20
take advantage Of the lcidrrehipof SAIGo
IARAMoR and raise the standard Of revolt.
The cause of that once loyal Ministers de-
ioction il, however, more unaccountahlc II
ha- been attributed 10 a personal quarrel
with two rival Ministers krEopA and
ENOUYf. and 10 the Nlikado's iavorit-m in
appointing them joint Commissioners To-
Coioa, post which he had set his heart
upon. 1t j. scarcely likely, however, that $50
loyal statesman. and one 81 intimately
Identified with recent reforms in Japan Of
such revolutions ry character. would maxi
a personal grir' nre the protoNt for re-
volt We must look for tine cause elsewhere,
and il Is probably To a great extent to be-
found in the general want of sympathy
Which exists throughout tie country with
th" very Gle, .dcd Western tendencies shown
blythe AHlAdoald ccrtainoi his confidential
advisers.
with reference 90 the progress of the war,
lrtr-t adNir's show that tho rchol forces
are sim confined 90 the island at Kiu-hiu.
There has looumuch do-ultory lighting I'm
tine mountains, aud knmamotu, The most
important town ON tine island. has hc,n
regularly brsiogod. but mp To- tho present
time neither side has gained any decisive
victory. II Is Of Importance that the spirit
Of rrirllion hH- not Set spread to the north
ern portions ot the country. 81 that the inn
l"rial forces are enabled To- concentrate all
their strength in crushing the lu-uIlrc-