Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-01-12


turned into weapons of cruelty. Tradition
saws that DIR. Josephe GuilIo,in. who had
adopted the maiden TO secure the painless
death of sheep, was horror-struck TO see It
used in the French Revolution TO decapitate
men BIZ the hundreds DR. 6. Wells Will
Iiams little knew to what use .'she favored
nation clause. which. by his suggestion. was
put into Perry's treaty. would be turned
Townsend Harris later years were mbittered
bv the thought of the injury he had unwit-
tfngIy wrought upon a weak and trustful peo-
pie. Let the truth bo told. Our early diplo-
macy with Japan was the diplomacy Of the
rictors of the Mexican War and of the in
raiders Of sister republic in the interest Of
slavery Against my conscience" wrote
Mr.. Harris. was the clause OF unconditional
ex-territoriaiity fastened in the treaty, and
william l.. Marcy was the author of it.
Lord Elzin. the British envoy. using Mr.
Harris prestige. experience, interpreter and
model treatv secured a convention with
Great Britain. With amazement Mr.. Harris
discovered that by an siroit change in clas-
.ifving cotton and wooden goods. and the use
of the favored nation" clause, the practical
reciprocity which he had hoped for had been
turned into an engine of oppression. Wheth-
or free trade. or protection Is the better policy
for any nation Is not here discussed. To
force fire.. traIe on a weak nation is as iniqui-
t0us a. IN force a tariff. Surely sovereign
States had right to make their own econom-
laws.
The situation in Japan is this. nation
has radically changed her life and adopted
modern method, Of government. Her people
have changed their social customs. and even
their food aud habifatioa. New necessities
press. new problems demand solution. Rev
enue and manufacture. are alike imperatively
needed Government costs, with stringent
economy $50 900 .poo per aranm. To RAISE
this sam. Japan must tax TIL hand 10 the e1-
tent Of So so, Al, tn farmers alone bear
lug over one-haif the burden. The sake
pr itqaor brewers pay sl3 .631 .123; license
fee.. taxes on tobacco. SOY. AMI everything
possibly taxable yieiling the remainder. e1
&c pt the ptlful sum of S2,704 ,jj3, derived
from the custom houses Even the custom,
duties on wines liquors and cigars imported
from abroad, and now foo ling the country
scarcely pay the cost OF collection. The
farmer must bear the chief burden
As bal. if not worse in its working thar
this, i the e1-territoriality clause, by which
every foreigner, American Portuguese, liza
waiian, Peruvian. Russian, or other criminal
must be tried by his own consular court
There may be eighteen different ways of try
ing and Furnishing one crime. How muci
Justice can japanese get at the hands o
such tribunals? With honorable exceptions
the Justice" dealt out at the American con
sulate has been caricature. What 1t ma,
be in some of the other courts so called may
be imagined.
Patiently the japanese have pleaded, gone
on with their reforms, preparing themselve'
to be worthy of justice, and in minor point'
have gained ground, and extorted the aimira
ton even Of their enemies. Lighthouses
RAILWAYS. tccgraphs schools. postal anc
steamship systems have been perfected
Long an tedious trraty-revision conferences
numbering probably hundred. have beer
hell In the faith ard hope that Christian
nation. must do justice, they have lived
They have assimlatcd themselves and th"i,
wavs to Christendom. dcfyjng, even to the
verge of danger the feelings Of their owr
conservative classes AMI, between two fire.
having done all possible, have stood. The,
have put down three reaCti0nary movement
at a cost of Sl50. 900 OOn Their faith has
ncryed their leaders to startling acts, with a
courage that fills even their most frustful
friends with thrills of fear. inouye until
lately Minister President of State cduca
ton in Euglanl left Euroae in 1873 l.
return to Japan to warn HI, hostile country
men of British power, aHh To per
sllale them to a belief in British justice
b excl ~ tn sentiment o! his educated
fellow countrvmrn, he has had the
ear of the Mka,lo, and kept the imperia
conddrncp during lis long diplomatic
campaisn In fall belief of speedy jus
tee he at the end of the year 1855
practically eliminated the Asiatic features o.
the government 1t is violating no secret t,
say that the American minister. Judge JohF
\. Bingham was in hearty sympathy witt
the japanese desires and assured lnouye Of
the Willingness of our government to with
draw from the solidarity of foreign policy il
Toxic and revise the treaties on her own be
half without regard to England's trade neces
sites or wishes The revised draft of thi:
attempt at justice had actually arrived il
Washington, and was before the State De
partment. when. 10, a telegram from Toxic
babe the Japanese minister Withdraw it. and
insert the shameful clause which reveal,
alike the fear Japan has of Great Britain anc
commits the United States to play second t.
England. The British minister had threatened
Japan again, and Mr. Inouyc, unable as ye
to throw down the gauntlet, must nullify the
good work of the American envoy. To The
everlasting credit of the American mission
aries, in noble paper published May l.
1851. they pray for the speedy revision o.
the treaties and urge the right of Japan It
make her own economic laws, and to ad
minister Justice to foreign criminals.
Still patient in the continuance of his Fa
hian policy. Inouye. having to his sovereign
and cabinet and country staked his reputation
on success. pcrsevered. Until early in Sep
tember 1887, the prospect was bright. II
conversation during the summer with hgl
japanese officer was told by him that the
way was practically clear, and triumph, sucf
as would cover with glory his chief Inouye
and all who had with HIM stood 80 long in ex
recitation, was about to I've won. A few days
afterwards, letter informing me of his de
parture from America, and news from Japar
of the forced resignation of Inouvc. and tn,
indefinite postponemeut of treaty revision
came together. Stalking all on his faith il
the Christian nations, Inouye had lost. The
Treaty Powers have fatty refused to essen
tally modify the old treaties.
W hat will Japan do; Her dire necessities
press. She looks to the United States tina
has so often profcssed to be her friend. tina
compelled her to make her first treaty, anC
led her into complications. Shall she wal
yet for our country to leave the league OF
opprcssors and to initiate righteousness? Or
since her infantry l. the best in Asia. hel
people willing ami glad to die in battle. and
her navy modern aud powerful, tear up tn,
treaties, as chains are broken. and stand OF
her defense: Her wisest men say, Wal
yet"
How long will our government keep in the
league Of oppression: How long join hands
in inquity?
Just so long as the people are supine
Rouse the conscience, the heart of the nation
and righteousness at home and At the ends OF
the earth will be done. No sooaer 1t i.
time that in her diplomacy the United State'
should cease serv ely following Great Britain
1t is time TO cease saying I'VE beg leave tC
expect" and to say. We expect. = tn,
qregatioHGi,st. IAN. I. 1883,