The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-16
THE nrKADo AND THE ADMIRAL.
An American sailor the First to he Re-
ceivcd by the Japanese Ruler Standing.

An American Sailor the First to Bo He-
ceivcd by the Japanese Ruler Standing.
When in the carly summer Of 1874 Rear
Admiral pennock arrived in Yokohama to take
command Of the American naval squadron in
those waters, lac at once took steps toward pay
ing his respects TO the Mikado. Now, 1t hap
pcncd that nll tho foreign Ministers accredited
to Japan were absent and every legation in
Toxic was presided over by n subordinate. This
was u state Of things quite to the liking of the
subordinatcs. aud, led by the British Charge
d'ATaires. who was dean of the corps, they de-
cidcd IL was a favorable moment TO exact
q concession from the Japanese.
They concoctcd their plan. and then intimated
to the japanese Foreign Office that in their opin-
ion the Mikado should hereafter stand upon his
feet when receiving the representative of a
foreign Government, In accordance with the
manner of European courts, instead OF remain
ing seated, as In the ancient native custom. This
suggestion was put rs nearly in tho 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 Yokohama.
The Admiral knew nothing whatever of this
subaltern schemiug. and had not learned of it
when, with ono of his officers, he went up to
Toxic a day or two later to pay his respects to
tho Japanese Secretary OF state. When an
American naval officer goes away to take COM
mand Of IA foreign station he is always invited,
or seeks an opportunity, before leaving WASH
ington TO meet the President, and receives from
him personally a message or polite good wishes
TO be met abroad. This ceremony constitutes
the officer a personal representative and ennis
sary OF the President, and not only entities him
to lie received personally by "a foreign ruler. but
makes II M upon him to seek such REQ
Count Soyeshima, who was then Minister Of
Foreign Affairs. and had Just returned from his
successful mission to China regarding the For
pnnsap atfnig Welcomed the two officers with
the utmost urhanity, and kept an interpreter
busy In courteous, Inquiries and remarks. The
the President OF the United States to bear a
message of personal and political friendliness TO
audience for that purpose. Soyeshima replied
in appreciatiye terms. but was exceedingly sorry
10 say that his Majesty was i'll and that his Cab
met wished him fer the present to avoid all
possible fatigue. Then. smiling blapdly. the
Secretary talked Of the wonderful public school
system Of the United States aud, for twenty
minutes. expatiated upon educational progress
The Admiral gradually brought him back to
the point IN view. and was civilly informed that,
although the commander of the British Asiatio
fleet had been received only a short time before,
the audience chamber OF the palace was now be-
ing relttyl: and would probably DO some
montns-befor it would be in proper Condition
for any royal reception; This was extremely re-
grettable, but And so the. old fox led the
chase away again to talk about agriculture
and so forth. and I was half an hour before the
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 IA satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION to his Government, the real obstacle
In the way or granting, his request.
officers that, although the MikRdo was really in
poor health. and the palace undergoing removal
something or other beyond their comprehension.
But the willy diplomatist led them Off on a third
conversational excursion into Nowhere until
suddenly, as IL at last satisfied with his scrutiny,
he laid one hand on The Admiral's knee, and,
s sdmit of s'f anS ao nhtG ms ar rsie' p s12 sqSSIH anty tho to
question up to which he had all the time been
"Wouid you. Admiral Pennock, insist that
the Mikado should stand upon his feet while he
The blank, establishment in the old officers
face revealed 20 the Japanese official that his
visitor had had no part in tho obnoxious pro-
posais OF the Charges 'Anaires, and he hasteued
The gentlemen of the foreign legations have
lately attempted to show US that our ancient
court custom is all wrong and disrcspectfuI,
and half threaten that II will no longer DO toler-
atcd. What do you think Of ~
The Admirals eyes blaZed with surprise and
sturdy contempt for diplomatic lummery.
"Shall ! insist tina! his Majesty stand Ger
celve me as he has received others of my rank,
II Is not for me TO say where or how the .cere-
court are quite good enough for me-
Soycshima's face frightened instantly, IL was
no longer inscrutable, but frank and cordial.
How many persons do you wish to bring in
your suite ~ he asked.
llpN many came WIN Auillllhl blank the
British officer lately recelyed-was the lnterrog-
stury reply.
IN under secretary was referred to. and re-
ported that the number was seventeen. Admiral
lennOck considered the matter moment, think
ing how many suitable officers lac could gather
from his few ships, and announced that his stRff
would consist Of nineteen, \ few more words
closed the interview, and the officers returned
to The Hartford. That same evening they were
waited upon 10y a messenger from the palace
bearing an invitation from the MikadO 10 an
audience three days later. At the appointed
time the Admiral and his staff pre-
scented themselves, at the palace, where a
small outer building was 10 be used Rs
tue temporary Rudience room. AS the
moment approached when they were TO enter
tho royal presence, Count Spseshlma came in,
arrayod IN .sorgsn'is official robes, and, adyanC-
ing 10 Admiral icnnock, with plain disregard
Of the Charge d'AHalres, who was present, as
usage required, said IL him impTcssiycly;
The Mlsadn proposes 10 pay Tn the United
states tu-day a peculiar compliment; He is
mindful of the manner ia which a Japanese
envoy who was introduced to your President
would be received, and he proposes to-day, for
the first time In the history of Japan. 10 rise
upon his ieei and reply standing 10 the message
you bring. Please follow me-
They passed into an apartment at one end Of
which a space was walled OH By an RlmOAt
transparent. screen Of delicate sandalwOOd
looking pale and feeble. When the presentation
By Count Soy shim1 aud the reading Of Admiral
Pennuck's short address had been concluded,
the Mikado, supported by an attendant. rose 10
short reply. after which lac resumed, his seat.
and the American officers retired. Thus the
NikadO hnnOrcd the honest respect aud friend
illness OF an American sailor and Tebuked the
toward that conformity with the iyiliZed world
In fuTm As well as substance, which Las been his
steady ambition.