The Portland daily press., 1894-12-29
AN AMERICAN ADMIRAL.
He Was Selected by the Mikado for an
Honor Unprecedented in Japau.

When in the early summer OF 1874 Rear
Admiral Pennock arrived in Yokohama
to take command of the American naval
squadron in those waters, he at once
took steps toward paying his respects to
the Mikado. Now, it happened that all
the foreign ministers accredited to Japan
were absent and every legation in Toxic
was presided over by subordinate. This
was state of things quite to the liking
of the subordinates and. led by the Brit
ish Charge d'Affairs, who was dean of
the corps, they decided it was a favora-
BILE moment to expect concession from
I'll japanese
They concocted their plan, and then
intimated to the Japanese Foreign Office
that in their opinion the Mikado should
hereafter stand upon his feet when re-
ceiving the representative Of a foreign
govern ent, in accordance with the
manner of European courts, instead of
Remaining seated, as is the ancient native
custom. This suggestion was put as
nearly in the form of a demand as they
dared, and the answer was being awaited
by the diplomats when the American
flagship sailed into the harbor OF Yoko-
hama. The Admiral knew nothing what
ever of his subaItern scheming, and had
not learned of it when, with one Of the
officers, he went up to Toxic day or
two later to pay his respects to the
Japanese Secretary of State. When an
A American naval officer goes away to take
command of foreign station he Is al
ways invited, or seeks an opportunity
before leaving Washington to meet the
President, and receives from him person
ally message of polite good wishes from
the United States to all the rulers likely
to be met abroad. This ceremony con-
stitutes the officer a personal representa-
tive and emissary OF the President, and
not only entities him to be received per-
sonally by foreign ruler, but makes it
incumbent upon him to seek such recog-
milton.
Count Soyeshima, who was then MIN
lister of Foreign Affairs, and had just re-
turned from his successful mission to
China regarding the Formosan affair,
welcomed the two officers with the ut
most urbanity, and kept an interpreter
busy in courteous inquiries and remarks.
The Admiral explained that he had been
charged by the President of the United
States to bear message of personal and
political friendlipess to his Majesty the
Mikado, and desired an early audience
for that purpose. Soyeshima replied in
appreciative terms, but was exceedingly
sorry to say that his Majesty was i'll and
that his Cabinet wished him for the
present to avoid all possible fatigue.
Then, smiling blandly, the Secretary
talked of the wonderful public school
svstem of the United States and. for
twenty minutes, expatiated upon sadu-
cational progress in Japan.
The Admiral gradually brought him
back to the point in view, and was
civilly informed that, although the COM
mander of the British Asiatic feet had
been received only short time before,
the audience chamber of the palace was
now being refitted, and it would probab-
ly be some time-well, to tell the truth,
probably several months-before it
would be in proper condition for any
royal reception. This was extremely
regretta BILE, but. And SO the old fox
led the chase away again to talk about
agriculture and 30 forth, and it was half
an hour before the Admiral could polite
ly return to his errand sufficiently to say
that it would be impossible for him to
wait that length of time, or to agree to
return; and, that he felt anxious to learn,
in order that he might make satisfac-
tory explanation to his government, the
real obstacle in the way of granting his
request.
By this time it was plain to both the
visiting officers that, although the Mika-
do was really in DOOR health, and the
palace undergoing renovation, yet the
Secretary was manoeuvering toward
something or other beyond their compre-
hension. But the willy diplomatist led
them off on third conversational excur-
sion into nowhere, until suddenly. as if
at last satisfied with his scrutiny, he
laid one hand on the AdmiraI's knee,
and, looking straight Tito his face, too
squarely to admit of any lodging, read
point blank the question up to which
he had ali the time been figuring.
"Would you, Admiral Pennock, insist
that the Mikado should stand upon his
feet while he received you?" The blank
establishment IN the old officers face re-
vealed to the Japanese official that his
visitor had had no part in the obnoxious
proposals of the Charges d'Affaires, and
he FASTENED to add
1.-THE gentlemen of the foreign lega-
tiors have lately attempted to show US
wrong and disrespectul, and half threat