The New York herald., 1879-09-01

ceived investture from China. and for several hun
dred years mp to the present time has used the Chi
ncse calendar and paid tribute to China is known
to all nations under heaven. Except SO far as the
receipt OF tribute due is concerned China has left
TO Loochoo entirely the management Of its gov
ernmentai regulations and prohibitions The sew
eral nations which have treaties with China and
Japan and which have also exchanged treaties with
Loochoo have by doing given evidence that
they all recognize Loochoo a distinct national
ity. Loochoo. although acknowledging submis-
sion TO China. has also acknowledged sub
mission to Japan. China has been aware
OF this. She has never found fault with
Loochoo for SO doing-thereby herself also recog-
nixing Loochoo a distinct nationality. As to the
payment OF tribute to China by Loochoo that Is an
affair that China does not consider OF any impor-
tance. Now. what has Loochoo done to offend
japan that you suddenly abolish its government
and make it province? This is most assurcdly in
consistent with the first article of the treaty for the
maintenance OF amicable relations. which says.
as regards tho territorial possessions of either
country the two governments shall treat each other
with proper courtesy. Moreover. Loochoo
having been recognized by China and by the other
countries distinct nationality. for japan. with
out good reason. to destroy the national existence
OF the people and put stop to their sacrifices is an
sct Of dsrespect on tho part OF Japan toward both
China and the other countries. Loochoo being .
small country and acknowledging submission to
both Of countries. aud being more intimately
related and nearer to Japan, it behooved
your country to guard and protect them in
every possible way. But to abolish and
destroy their national existence is Q proceed
ing which will not add to tho reputation
Of Japan aud will be contrary TO what Is held TO be
just and right by other nations. Since Your Excel
lency has been appointed by your government to
come hither with tho view to the maintenance Of
amcable relations. and inasmuch the abolition of
the government Of Loochoo is something which
greatly concerns the peace and amity Of our two
countries. we. the Prince and Minister'S. consider
what have SAID above Q statement in the inter-
ests Of the lasting perpetuation of unbroken peace
and smity and Of all concerned Your Excellency
should. therefore. address q communication to your
government requesting that an immediate stop may
be put to the measures for abolishing the govern
ment Of Loochoo. and that thus the relations Of
peace and amity between our two countries may be
rendered moro intimate, and the intentions Of Your
Excellency in coming hither for the maintenance Of
amcable relations may be thereby still moro clearly
manifested. We submit humble views on this
subject trusting that Your Excellency will thought
fully weigh and examine them. and take action ac-
cordingly. We. therefore, address you this neces-
sary despatch"
| JAPANESE CONFERENCE WITH GENERAL GRANT,
This closes the diplomatic history of the contro-
versy. As possible after arriving in Japan.
in conversation with Mr. Bingham General Grant
reported the conversations he had with Prince
Kung and Li-Hung Chang. and said he was anxious
to acqut himself of the promise he had made to the
Chinese authorities that he would exert his good
offices for peace. At the time he could not do
80 il in any way it interfered with the Minister
would be distasteful to the Japanese authorities He
n 70 h.,f had
come from China In . manner that he could not but
respect and If any word Of hts could preserve
peace between two men, not to speak OF nations IL
became q duty Mr.. Bingham said he would
be delighted to second any effort General
Grant would make in behalf Of peace.
When an i1.timation was made to tho Japanese gov
ernment that the General would like to make q
municaton to them. they responded at once by
Offering to place in the Generals hands oil their in
formation on the subject Of Loochoo II was thought
best that the conversation should take place IN
Nikko. where the General is spending some
days among the mountains. His Excellency to- the
Minister for the Interior. and General Saigo, Min
lister for War; came to Nikko to spend few days
! with the General and talk over tho question On
afternoon Of July % tho conference took place in
| the Japanese house occupied by the General Those
present were Japanese Ministers for the Interior
| and War. Mr.. Yoshida. the Envoy to the United
Sates General Grant. Colonel Grant and the writer
The conversation lasted for three four hours and
| shall embody as far as can in succinct manner
those portions Of it that will represent the Of
Japan. Thus far have only given you the Chinese
side Of the question Tho Japanese side will be fully
| presented in the following narrative:-
JAPAN RULED THEM ELEVEN CENTURIES AGO.
The Japanese case as presented to General Grant,
began with historical presentation Of the claims
| Of Japan. The Loochoo Islands, 1t was said. have
| been known in different periods Minamishima
| and Okinawa. Japanese ancient history mentions
acts Of homage rendered by the inhabitants Of Loo
choo Japanese rulers. and the payment Of tribute
also. As back A. d. 7O7. during the reign Of
the Japanese Emperor Momma Tenno. titles of
honor were conferred by the Emperor upon inhabi-
tants of the islands and gifts were bestowed In A.
| d. S15 homage paid by Loochoo to the En-
| pcror Genshon Tenno. In A. d. 735 monuments
were erected the Loochoo Islands by of the
Japanese authorities showing tho names of places.
distances. anchorage for ships and depots for the
supply Of food and fresh water. In ancient Jap
anese record tho following entry is sfound:-"Mna-
mshima is under the jurisdiction of Daxaifu. Trib-
ute has been received from it in the form OF red
| wood on behalf of the imperial government at MI
| yako."
THE IMPERIAL FAMILY JAPAN.
| 1t was further argued on behalf Of the japanese
claim that the chiettans kings Of Loochoo came
from the Ninamoto family-itseR of imperial Js-
| panese origin. This connection began in 1l56.
Minamoto Tametomo was driven by his political
foes island called Oshima. lying OF the coast
Iza. Thence Minamoto went sea Voyages and
discovered many islands. OF which he took posses
sion. Finally he reached Loochoo. Ho married
the sister OF tho chicftain of the Loochoo Islands
The issue of this union was son. who sfterward
became ruler Of Loochoo under the OF
shunton-O. This cheftainship passed from the de-
scendants Of shuntenO in the third generation but
two centuries later 1t recovered and shotsi the
present titular King OF Loochoo. 10 descendant Of
| the Emperor.
IDENTITIES BErwEEy LoocHoo AND JAPAN.