The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-16

which so much of the wealth OF the nation depends;
the gold and silver of the Pacific. which had played
great part in the welfare of the world. would be
! valueless without railways.
This led to a long conversation, in which the
yiceroy went over many OF the points embraced in
his talk with Prince Kune The Viceroy said he was
anxious to China introduce railways and tele-
graphs. Already he had telegraph of his own from
the forts at the mouth Of the river to Tentsin. He
would be glad also to have small steamers on the
Peho River. He sorry his opinions on this were
not shared by some of his colleagues. But in time
he hoped wiser opinions would prevail.
| THE QUESTION BETWEEN CHINA AND JAPAN.
The Viceroy then referred the questions at issue
between China and Japan. as to the occupation of
| the Loochoo Islands by the latter Power. Turning
to secretary he produced several maps and books
some in Chinese and some in English The maps
were of China and Japan large SCALE The books
| We're copies of the treaties between the Chinese
| Empire and other governments, in English aud
| Chinese. The Viceroy began the conversation by
| saying that he had received q letter from Prince
| Kung, asking him to lay before the General the
| Chinese side of the Loochoo discussion. Prince
| Kung had also written him Of General Grants will
ingness to look into the question and give his good
Offices to China
General Grant said that he had said to his Impe-
rial High ness that he only private citizen at
to speak for the government. Mr.. Seward and
Mr.. Bingham. who were Ministers to the respective
! governments of China and Japan. had only re-
turned from home. and they may have instructions
from the administration. At the same time, il any
advice aid he could give could serve the cause of
peace, he would be glad. He had a horror of war;
and there could DO no greater calamity. both to
Japan and China. than He believed whore there
was an honest difference of opinion between two
ptr;ac CDR and Matte
just it.
CHINA PUTS HERSELF IN THE GENERAL g HANDS
The viceroy said he knew that the General was not
dpomatst official. But for this purpose
he might say that neither was he an official When
lie heard that the General coming to China his
heart glad. for he felt that he could talk to him
about Loochoo II the General chose to speak on
the subject he would speak with authority greater
than that of any diplomatist. There were men to
whose words nations would listen, and the General
was one of those men. His own government was
willing to put it's unreservedly in his hands.
and as he going to the Mkado a word from
him that sovereign might the cause Of peace
and Justice yr
The General said If he could speak words
with such result he would not hesitate to speak
Them As to the Loochoo question. he knew moth
ing beyond what he had heard from Prince Kung.
He might add that since seeing Prince Kung - had
conversed with Mr. Seward aud others and had heard
their opinions. But he felt that he knew only the
Chinese case. at least hurried statement of the
case. and he had no idea what his view might be
when he conversed with the Japanese
The viceroy opened volume in Chinese contain
ing the treaties and read from early treaty made
when Mr.. Cushing Minister. i'll which the United
States held herself ready to offer her good services
between China and other Powers in the event of any
question arising He asked whether the General did
not think that the difference with Japan about Loo
choo did not come within the limits OF the treaty
General Grant read over the clause and said he
thought ii did -
The viceroy then read from the Burlingame
Treaty assurances of the same character. He read
from treaty between China and Japan engage
ments the part Of the two countries not to invade
the territory of the others. He pointed out the
isence of treaty between the United States and the
Loochoo Islands, showing that the American gov
eminent dealt with the Loochoo King an inde-
pendent Power He then called the attention Of the
General to the nterpationa law on the subject and
held that the course of Japan that called for
the intervention of outside Powers Otherwise
there was of that international law which for
eign nations were always quoting to China
General Grant said the argument seemed to be
sound, but it belonged to diplomacy. From the fact
that the vceroy quoted treaty in which the United
pendent Power he supposed that China in dealing
with japan also willing to regard them in
dependent Power.
THE POSITION LoocHoo.
The viceroy said Independent Power GER
tainly. But to be entirely accurate Loochoo should
be described o semi-dependent Power. China had
never exercised sovereignty the islands, and did
not press that claim. But China much con.
cerned In the maintenance of the independence of
Power holding toward her coasts the relations Of
Loochoo as in the integrity her inland territory
As matter of fact because of the great powers al
lowed by China always to her provinces and depend
encies tho emperors had exercised the rights
of sovereignty over Loochoo. AS a matter OF law
and right however. the right never alienated
and the sovereigns Of Loochoo always respected it
by paying tribute to China until Japan in and
forbade the tribute.
General Grant asked if the sovereigns did not also
pay tribute to Japan.
The vIcERoy-In this way. Before the revolu-,
ton in Japan and the consolidation of the power Of
princes into the imperial power the feudal lords
had great authority. They did as they pleased. Per-
haps none Of these lords more powerful than
the satsuma princes. These princes occupied the
islands OF Japan nearest to Loochoo. To protect
themselves from the raids and exactons OF the Sat-
suma princes the Loochoo people paid tribute only
to the princes, never to Japan. Well. when the
oluton came. and the powers OF the princes
absorbed. the Emperor claimed that the payment Of
tribute to the princes recognition Of the
sovereignty of Japan. That is the only claim that
the Japanese have made.
QUESTION or TGIBrTE.
General GR,Nr-And in the meantime tribute has
been paid to China.
The vIcERoY-fn the meantime and for centuries
before.
General GRASr-what the nature of this
tribute?
The vIcERoY-Nominal The Loochoo kings
always received more from the Emperor than they
gave. For centuries this has gone ON.
General GnANr-Did the Loochoo people have any