Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-09-05

EX-MINISTER BINGHAMS ACCOUNT OF THE CON-
DITIoN OF AFFAIRS IN THAT EMPIRE.
From the San Francisco Chronicle.
After an almost unbroken residence in Japan
for nearly thirteen years, John A. Bingham of
Ohio, ex-minister for the United States to the
imperial court at Toxic, has arrived in San
Francisco on his 'yey home. He has been re-
lieved by Minister Hubbard, Mr.. Bingham's
last duty in Japan being to induct his successor
into bis office and present him to the emperor.
Janeiro, and spoke most freely and entertain
ingIy on a variety OF japanese topics
"Japan's progress" said the ex-mnister, "has
been simply marvellous. When the present
emperor came to the throne sixteen years ago
the country was governed and ground down by
than feudal lords, ruling their serfs with rods Of
iron and imposing on them a military duty
which they turned to quarrelsOme and rObbing
TINS oriental counterpart of European med-
:evalsm, and Japan leaped at a bound from
the sixteenth to the nineteenth century,
How was this wonder brought about?"
81 shall make the same answer to you, sir.
that have before made to similar question: y
because the people believe that the emperor is
just what his name signifies, 'Tenno.' the son
OF heaven. All the traditions of the country
that way the astonishing wisdom of the youth
/ he was but sixteen at the time OF his success
slon,confrmed the belief, and against what
he did and ordered there is no resistance. Thus
the Tcnno was able to accomplish impossible
ties or what would be impossibili;ies with an
other monarch. AT present the Japanese are
enjoying the fruits OF the new order OF things
and as one example of the unusual blessings
which the people enjoy l may mention this
that in the island of Nippon alone, with an area
greater and population equal to that of Eng
land, there are more small landhOlders than
there are in the right little, tight little
island"
Then japan is a free country?" we asked,
"IeS, and no." was the response "The neo.
pie enjoy many of the blessings of free men
but the empire itself is largely under foreign
control Three European states England
France and Holland, but England first and
principally, are the masters Of Japan's foreign
policy. To an extent Of which this country has
scarcely an idea, Japan is ruled by Europe
The emperor Is bound down by treaties by
which England gains almost everything and
council that feels the weight of the European
finger In everything 1t does, constantly men
aced by the gunboat policy, and with customs
duties so minimized that they are not enough
to pay the expenses of the department. Japan is
by no means free, and is not likely to be so
without q little vigorous did from MS some
| time or other the United States will see the
riches that lie In Japan; will see for instance
that together they might rule the silk market
of the world. 1t Is true our commerce with
Japan has risen from thousands of dollars to
millions, but the existing trade is nothing to
what 1t should be-is only an indication of what
1t might BE- The TACT Is, the commerce of the
Pacific Is not yet appreciated by the American
people, and, mark my words, some fine year
when Europe Is at peace and is rolling in rich
harvests, the United States will look lOngingIy
to the great countries Of the Orient to relieve
her OF her surplus"