The New York herald., 1879-09-01

imperial government. are merely repetition Of
what has taken place in all the provinces OF the
Empire. The Japanese urged further upon General
Grant that it was owing to . misapprehensior
OF these facts aud of the history and Cir
eumstances OF the island generally that the
aaestions received OF the Chinese government and
the doubts apparently entertained by it as to the
true ownership of the group. probably to be
aseTibed. The Chinese government has allowed IT
sell to be deceived. The people of Loochoo have
ever been eager for commercial advantages, and to
attain their object they have played double game,
and deceived the government OF China by course OF
eoncealment and falsehood. proof. and signal
instance was. 10 contended. to be found in the
history OF the ancient differences between the Prince
OF satsuma and shonei. Although shonei and his
people surrendered themselves absolutely into the
hands OF satsuma taking the strigent and humiliat-
las oath just quoted. nevertheless order to obtain
facilities for carrying out trade with China to some
extent in breach of the provisions of the ordinances
regulating that trade. they aterward declared to the
Emperor of China. one of the princes of the Ming
dynasty. that Shonei had never submitted. but had
ever remained unconquered aud independent
CHINA JAPAS's TREATY RIGHTS.
In pursuance OF the argument the Japanese took
up one OF the charges brought against them by the
Chinese government-namely that the action OF
Japan in dealing with Loochoo constituted breach
OF the treaty between Japan and China, which pro-
vdes that zach nation shall respect the territory OF
the other. This charge the Japanese assured Gen.
eral Grant, admitted OF simple refutation. In the
the face OF the facts already recited Of the open
submission OF Loochoo to Japanese arms, of the
fact that the Japanese rulers have for centuries
octed and governed people. have framed laws for
II aud from 1t received taxes-in the face Of these
facts nothing else than idle of China to claim
Loochoo Chinese territory Snch claim, they
contcndcd. needed argumentative refutation. 1t
was sufficiently met by bare statement Of facts.
Minister Ito said with especial emphasis to Gene
raj Grant that there wish more dear to Japan
than peace and good will with China. and that if any
question of Chinese territory had been concerned the
government of Japan would not have acted without
proper regard for the rights of the Chinese Empire
or in breach of the treaty Of friendship existing
between the two countries.
JAPAS's RIGHTS IMMEMoRIAL.
Another argument discussed that advanced
In one OF the discussions that Loochoo was a COM
mon dependency of the two empires. and subject to
the jurisdiction of the separate governments. To
this the Japanese made that such condition
Of things would be political anomaly quite unique.
That the different empires should assert rival
claims TO sovereignty the same territory was
common enough. That tho chiefs Of this disputed
territory should for their ends avoid disputing
have actually happened In Loochoo. In such case
OF the two claimants must have been deceived.
which Gr the two In this instance. China or Japan
had bpcn deceived plain. The Chinese govern
mont had accepted the mere statement of the Loo
eison chistan that he Independent Of any other
Iaton. aud under this belief China maintained
purely nominal protectorate over the island. Japan.
on the other hand. having from time immemorial
exercised certain kind of sovereignty over the
islands eventually asserted her authority by force of
arms. reduced the country to . proper obedience,
gave IL laws and constitution and bound its rulers
10 perpetual allegiance. which has since been
Questioned but has always boon overtiy accorded
Loochoo and actually insisted upon by japan.
cHrSA's INDEMNITY ron ournAGEs.
The next srgument taken mp by the japanese
authorities In presenting their case to General
Grant the position assumed by the Chinese gov
ernment that Loochoo . nation. and that with
her independence no other Power had any right to
interfere. China admitted that she had long been
aware that Loochoo had paid tribute to Japan, and
although a regarded inconsistent with tho re-
lations between hsr sovereign and the people
these islands. especially With tho fact that Loochoo
ehsftAins habisualiy received investturs from the
hands OF the Empercrs of China. yet of respect
for the autonomy OF Loochoo China had rofrained
from calling her TO account for this dereliction
Japan also should Jake the same Wow,
and that this japanese government had no
right to interfere with tho freedom Of the
islands. To this ID answered that Japan recog.
nixed no such independence In Loochoo. and she
could not do 30 without ignoring her own ancient
and ancestral rights. 10 was thing for the
Emperor of China TO . far or shadowy right
OF nominal suxerainiy small territories in the
neighborhood Of their Empire by of . mere
ceremonial and honorary invositure OF the insignia
of kingship OF the ehisfs of such by tho
Emperors OF China. History sf1osds other examples
of this custom. Tho relations OF Japan with Loo
choo have bssn OF very different character. II
impossible to roeoncile the acknov ledgmeni by
China of the nominal relations of Loochoo to the
Empsrors with the claim of actual historical
ownership OF Loochoo by China. which had been
made by tho Chinese Cabinet. On this point u was
appropriate 10 recall the facts that Japan
had. In resent times. dealt with the
people OF Loochoo with their own sub
jects. whom famine viaited the islands Japan
sent quantities Of grain and sums Of money sup
port tho lives Of the people few years ago. when
some OF the Loochoo people lnsssacrcd by
ssyaes in tho Island Of FormosA. the Japanese gov
eminent htied out expedition 20 formosa 10 pun
ish the authors OF tins outrage Tho commander Of
this expedition General sAlso. nov Minister Of
War. the same General ssiso who ws- IN conference
with 0enerai Grant ON the sub5sct. and Who 10
living with the General IN xAko. Tho right OF the
Japanese government to sand cut rhis expedition
IVES not dsputst by China. bat ths contrary.
most distinctly allowed by ths chinese sovcrnment
who oven went 90 Tar 10 pay. behalf OF ths
Formo~ans. indemnity 20 S.psa Cor oa1sss.
committed upon ths Loochoo lsi.naara.
aKxKnaI oAAsrs rsscK.
This prssenis bsisay and faiiy ths whols case Of
japan. Goaaral said An sabstancs that hs had
besn anxious for eonferencs ~ith the Jsp.nc-a
thorites IN fnlhiment Of prouiss hs had made "
Prince Kuns and vceroy Ll-Iiane Chane. whan An
China these oincAis had spoksn with aruas s.nlins
Prince kung especlally. upaa ths Japanese action
In Loochoo. aud had askeA ham % use ma good