The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-06-08
giving rise to this trial inconsistent with the
character you have given himr


Al do; he is Major Wasson, psymaster
United States army.
.Q.-How long and where have you known
him?
Al have known him about three wears;
three ears ago first met him at Calves
ton; knew him at Fort Brown atterward,
and i1r nearly two years past at Calves
lon.
Q.-What were your opportunities of
knowing his reputation
A.-At Galveston we lived in the same
hotel aud there being but one other United
States officer there and be was my assistant,
| associated with the major considerably.
Q.-What was his character and reputa.
tion in that city while you knew him.
A.-His character was that of gentle.
man, and he moved in the best society of
the city and stood well with every one, so
lar as my observation Went.
No questions were asked by the judge
advocate or the court
The next witness was Major Stevens, of
Washington, who testified to being an at
tache OF the Japanese legation In that city,
ana TO having been secretary OF the Amer.
can legation in Japan under Minister
Bingham, from September, 1873, to Sep
tember, 1852, and in the fall Of the year that
he had made Wasson's acquaintance, the
latter at that time having been in the ser
vice OF the Japanese government, In the
department of colonization, on the island
OF Yzo, when he was chief OF engineers,
and had charge with his coordinate
officers OF the colony, and afterwards
in 1874, he was attached to the staff OF Gen.
eral Saigo, with the rank OF colonel in the
expedition of the Japanese to the island OF
Formosa, and finally he was appointed
professor of civil engineering in the I'm
perial college ut the capital Of Japan, which
position he retained until his resignation
which was given in orcer to accept pay.
mastership in the United States amy in
1876.
Q.-What were your relations with the
officials of the Japanese government
A. They We're very intimate, on account
OF my official position and OF course, also
MIR. Bingham, the American minister to
Japan, who had great influence, and also
because the Japanese at that time mani
tested very close relations with American
officials and were inclined TO do away with
their habitual reserve, because we were
always very friendly with them.
Q-What were your opportunities OF
knowing in what estimation he was held
by Japanese officials.
Any opportunities We're the very best.
Q.-What character did he have and how
were his services held2
A.-Maior Wasson's character and ser.
vices were highly esteemed by all of the
japanese officials and particularly by the
higher ones under whom he served; |
learned this from the chief Of the depart.
ment In which his last services were given,
all OF whom have spoken to me
OF Major Wasson's services in
the highest terms of praise,
and have practically shown their apprecIa
tion by employing him 80 frequently and
for such long term in post Of great re.
sponsibility; know of no foreigner In the
all for the last nine years-who stood higher
than Major Wasson, for his treatment by
the japanese was 80 unusually marked and
favorable.
Q-Please state how his services In
Japan are regarded by Americans and the
bearing they had on the relations between
our government and Japan.
A.-There was great rivalry among all
nations to gain the good graces of the
Japanese at that time and obtain, as far az
possible, control In new movement that
the Japanese were making for the adoption
OF civilization the Japanese had employed
large number of foreigners, and it
has always been considered to have been
a matter of congratulstion to any OF
the foreign countries If any Of their people
obtained q position in the Jape nese service;
Major Wasson held very Influential posi-
tion and filled 1t most creditably, and it
was matter Of pride, as 1 know, TO Ameri-
cans in Japan that an American OF such
character was employed by the Japanese
government, and in the most i'm
portant work they had on hand; the
work in the colonization department
was extremely important, and was entrust
to an American commissioner, and its sue.
cessiul completion was regarded as having
very important bearing on the relations
between the two countries its work be.
ing well done ii advanced the commercial
and political relations of America with
Japan greatly, and brought us nearer
to the Japanese and gave us
greater influence with them, and
believe it was because Major Wasson
and his colleagues did their work so well
and satisiactorily that we have now to-day
so much influence with the Japanese.
Q-What is your knowledge OF any
marks OF distinction and honor conferred
on the accused by the government of ia
pan?
A.-On his return from Formosa he was
received by the emperor and personally
thanked for his services-an un-
usual distinction in Japan; he
was also subsequently received by
the emperor. who conferred on him the
order of the Rising Sun; he was among the
hrst half dozen foreigners to receive the
decoration; Major Wasson, know, too, was
officially thanked personally and by letter
for his services in Japan by the various
chiefs; | remember the minister of edu-
cation expressed to Mr. Bingham their
deep regret when Major Wasson was
about to retire from Japan, and
was received and treated in q
very cordial and flattering manner by the
Japanese officials, and as was told by the
vice-minister OF foreign affairs the Japanese
department OF the interior had offered him
tine position as civil engineer in their ser
vice, and this was done, too, at time
when, instead ofengaging foreign assistance
and advisors, the Japanese were getting rid
OF as many as they could, and the fact that
they did secure his services at even this
time shows the highest esteem in which
thew held him.
Q.-Do you or have you ever heard of any
conduct inconsistent with the character
you have Eiven him previous to the circum-
stances giving rise to this trial, inconsistent
with that character you gave himp
Al never have.
Letters were then read from German and
Peruvian ministers at Washington, who
we're in Japan at the time of Wasson's
service In that country, giving him the
highest character as soldier and gentle.
man during his residence in Japan.
General q. O. Augur testified to having
known the accused ever since the general
had taken command Of the department
Of Texas that their social and
oflicial relations hava nj wa va haen nioe an NJ.
his official character and conduct so far as
The general knows or ever had reason to be-
ieve, were strictly honorable and upright,
and had never heard anything prior to the
circumstances in the present cause, but
what would conform to that view. He was
not ross-examined, aud the court, at 2
p. m. Bdjourned over till tomorrow at
O'Clock. The case will not be
Till Monday, although the plea
Of guilty to the specifications having been
entered, II will not be necessary for the
sxs, IA nn