Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-09-05

world and to western influences describes
his visit TO Loo Choo which he speaks of as
a dependency of Japan. A full statement of
the Chinese claim supported by documentary
evidence was submitted TO General Grant,
who, after protesting that he was only pri-
vate citizen travelling for rest and pleasure
and not on business, consented to give it his
attention, and, if desired by the Jap
anesc government, 10 do his best 10 bring
about an amicable settlement of the con-
troversy. The New York Herald gives a
full report of Gen. Grants conference with
the japanese ministers. from which it ap-
pears that he made most favorable impress
sion on those dignitaries. As to the original
merits of the case, the right or wrong of it.
he had no opinion TO express. Historical
questions were involved that could only he
determined by research. His interest in the
case arose from his friendly feelings toward
both countries, in whose prosperity the world,
but America especially, was deeply interested
Japan, he said, seemed 10 him now the
stronger power for immediate action; she
had made wonderful progress within few
years China had gained also, though much
less, but China was a country of immense
resources, and it was impossible to say what
progress she might make within twenty or
thirty years 1t should he the policy of
Japan 10 assist China and not TO allow this
grievance to remain as a cause of irritation
now, and trouble in the future. \ part of the
Chinese irritation, he said, came from the feel
ing that Japan was conscious of superiority
and wished 10 humliatc China, hut besides
this there was "A fear that Chinese CONNER
cial interests would suffer by the occupation
of the Loo Choo group by Japan. These
islands were regarded as controlling the
channels of Chinese trade with the Pacific,
and they thought that whoever held those
islands might check this trade at any time.
Bet 4 war would weaken both powers and
the only benefit would result to foreign
nations who were waiting to turn TO their
own advantage any dissensions between
China and Japan. Gen. Grants suggestions
on this point are thus reported:
General Grant continued by saying that
there were other reasons why Japan should,
if possible. have complete and amicable
understanding with China. The only pow
ers who would derive any benefit from a
war would he foreign powers. They know
that the policy of some of the European
powers was TO reduce Japan and China into
The dependence which had been forced upon
other nations. He had seen indications of
this policy during his travels in the east
which made his blood boil. He saw it in
Siam and China and Japan. In Siam the
king was unable, as he had told the general
to protect bis people from opium. In China
opium had been forced upon the people.
That was as great crime against CIV
iliZation as slavery. In Japan, only the
other day. he saw the Germans deliberately
violate a japanese quarantine by sending
down German gunboat and taking Ger
man merchantmen out of quarantine. No
European power would dare to do such thing
in the United States. But it illustrates
European policy in the cast. If war should
ensue between China and Japan European
powers would end it in their own way
and 10 their own advantage, and
TO the disadvantage of the two nations.
Your weakness and your quarrels are their
opportunity. Such question at Loo Choo
offers tempting opportunity for the inter
ference of unfriendly diplomacy.
The japanese ministers said they desired
nothing more strongly than friendly relations
with China, their near neighbor, with whom
they had very much in common; hut Japan
must insist upon her rights and maintain her
sovereignty over her own dominions.
General Grant assented, but thought there
might he way to meet the susceptibilities
of China without sacrificing any rights of
Japan. After some further conversation
which the Herald reporter is not at liberty
to disclose. the Japanese statesmen expressed
the thanks and gratitude of Japan to General
Grant for having introduced the subject and
for his efforts to preserve peace and friend
ship between the two nations.
Passing by the merits of the question, it is,
as an exchange well points out, a most strik-
ing illustration of the changes in human for
tunes that this man, who eighteen years ago
was an obscure citizen of Galena, with no
prospect of being able to do more than TO
support his family in decent comfort, and
with much doubt of that should have since
great armies, been twice elected
president of the greatest republic in the world,
and, again a private citizen, but one of the
most illustrlous men of his age, should have
been invited by these two ancient empires to
act as a mediator between them in the hope
# composing a quarrel whose causes must
be sought in records of date earlier than the
discovery of America by Europeans