The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-15

generally titled by hand Rice is Of the staples
and among other productions are sugar cane. wheat
cotton barley tobacco millet. sage. and the water
melon. Jig. peach. banana and wild raspberry Grass
is not cultivated as u crop. The most abundant
trees are the pine and baniar which line the high
ways. The bantam is also for hedges. and
planted the tops of the walls which surround
the house and pruned into symmetrical forms. The
bamboo grows abundantly. and supplies food. cloth
ing. shade ana building materials. Wild boars are
found in the forests. and there a small but strong
and active breed OF horses.
ISLANDS.
These islands, whose landscapes are picturesque
and beautiful. their shores resembling the richest
scenery of England, came into direct communities
ton with the Chinese during the century of
era About four hundred years ago Okinawa. or
Great Loochoo. the principal island, was divided
into three Kingdoms. winch subsequently were
united aud became tributary to China aud afterward
to Japan. 1t was visited by Captain Basil Hall and
Mr.. Mcleod in 1876 and in 1852 by Commodore
Perry. who included Loochoo in the treaty made
with Japan. The whole cluster always u source
of trouble to the A1ikado affording refuge to
pirates and political malcontents. The greenback
national bank notes OF Japan still portray
that famous archer. Minamoto Tametomo. stand
ing amid the surf upon their shore draw
could not bend, and defying his Japanese pursuers.
He sped shaft ut one OF the approaching vessels
that pierre ed the thin gunwae and it. and then
establishing himself upon the island, became the
father Of Sunen. the first historical ruler OF Loo
choo. Mendez Pinto. the Portuguese adventurer.
fought the corsairs of these islands, Tyeyaso, the
Mikado. head of the proud Shimadzu family consid
cred them in 1903 the finest his noble
Their ambas- adors in flowing costume swelled the
triumphant procession of the Mikado through his
Empire i'll 1872. But it happened III the year
that Loochoo junk was wrecked on Eastern For
mosa. The crew were killed by the savages and it
is said, eaten. The Loochooans appealed to their
tributary lords, the Japanese princes of Satsuma,
who referred the matter to Toxic. The Mkado pro-
fessed himself unable to help them and an envoy
was sent rom okinawa to refer the matter to the
Emperor of China
PAYING TRIBUTE TO CESAR
This was the first appeal OF the islanders to the
Celestial Empire and 1t was the origin of their re-
cent troubles. They were growing too strong, too
prosperous, too Chinese. Chinese population had
been steadily creeping into the southern islands;
idoms; mode OF education was being introduced
that was wholly Chinese. China had been trying for
hundreds OF to annex the islands, the last Wig
orous attempt having been made III 1921 by the
Emperor OF Yuen. in Mongolia, who belonged to the
dynasty OF Khoubilia Khan. With Japan, the
other hand, and particularly with Satsuma, Loochoo
had entertained cordial commercial relations from
1451 until 1895, when disagreements between
Satsuma and its king III consequence OF which JOSH
Else, Damo of Satsuma, led an army to Oknawa in
1909 took the King prisoner and made the islands
tributary to Japan. In 1872, therefore, the Mikado
held hinselfentirely justified in demanding tribute
and tokens of submission. Three Loochooan ENJOYS
accordingly sent to the Japanese court. where
they were received in the Wild Cherry Chamber
ana conducted by the Vice Chamberlain and Min
lister of Foreign Affairs into the presence of His
Majesty. Then, amid strains OF music, the Chief
Ambassador presented the letters of Sh6Tai his
ter. 'Since Your Imperial Majesty accession, they
said 1.-THE laws have fer the first time been put in
force, and the admins ratiOn hiss been completely
reformed. The dark haired multitude bathes III the
august goodness and each Individual dances for
JOY. ShoTaJ, prostrating himself in southern
corner. has heard of the glorious work ana is
overcome with gladness He now sends his
ENJOYS reverently TO perform the ceremony
OF congratulation and to give tributes of
the products of this region" ShoTai also presented
his compliments to the Empress, AS Mother OF the
Empire and companion OF the virtue of the most
honored" He offered, by way of tribute, boxes
OF Chinese pencils, boxes of Chinese ink rolls of
Chinese paintings. purple hempen c.oth white silk
damask, red and white Grape satin with dragons in
gold thread; despatch box, ornamented with
motherot-pearl, and ten jars or brandy. To which
the Mikado made gracious answer, Sit is
many years since the King of Loochoo has served
Satsula. and now, in this period OF renovation, he
has letter and has offered the products OF
his country. His loyalty and sincerity
qualled and accept his offerings with pleasure"
His Majesty then took the decree or investi-
ture and handed it to the Vice Chamberlain,
who read it aloud rs follows:-"We, by the
grace OF heaven, having succeeded to the imperial
the four aud rule sovereigns over the eight
deserts. Loochoo is now on southern border Its
climate is the same as ours, and its language differs
not For generations it has served Satsuma, and
you, Sbo-rai, have acted with reverental
sincerity OF heart Do you. Sho-Tai. rule over
your people, and obeyng our will, long remain the
support OF the imperial house" Whereupon the
enyo,s bowed. and took their leave. After the
dicnce they permitted to adore the regalia and
holy sake was given them.
LoocHoo DECLARED A JAPANESE PROVINCE.
The Mikado fondly hoped that these ceremonies
would decide the political status of Loochoo once
and forever. He was mistaken. The appeals OF the
islanders to CHINA begun in the of the For
mosa cannibals, became matters OF monthly occur
renee, that on March OF the present year Japan
threatened to make them department OF the EN-
pirc instead of tributary dependency, and armed
body OF soldery to serve against them. Loochoo
in mediately invoked the assistance of China and
the foreign Powers. On April IL the islands
officially proclaimed prefecture OF japan, under
the title OkinawA Ken and the King deposed. Be
ing summoned to the capital, he pleaded illness. and
sent his eldest son, who fifteen years age i'll
his place. The lad received by the Mlkado and
ordered to await the arrival of his father ut
Toxic, where both were to be invested with rank
and title of Japanese nobemen OF the highest class.
Japanese officials put in the place of the de-
posed government. Much i'll feeling thereby
created in China which claimed to be joint pro-
tector OF the islands, The Chinese Minister
His protest ignored. Batlaons of troops and a
large force OF police and minor officials hastily
despatched to Loochoo, and seemed to be immi-
nenl. And this the position OF affairs when the
idea of an arbitration was first mooted. The
America had been familiar to Loochoo since Com
pany drank weak tea there and regaled himself With
leathery twists of gingerbread At banquet given
in the Com modores honor he had risen proposed
as q toast the health OF the Queen mother and the
young Viceroy, adding prosperity to the Loochoo
ans, and may they and the Americans always be
TRENDS" This toast having been translated to the
Regent appeared to crafty him highly. and it was
drunk standing, with Loochoo honors. which
sists in draining teaspoonful of sake Mt gulp
and turning the cup bottom upward The robes OF
grass cloth by the dignitarics present at the
dinner with their venerable gray boards and impas-
sive features gave dramatic air to the sccne the
banqueters drank the toast with all the gravity and
dignity that might have belonged to members OF the
Venetian Council OF Ten.