Evening star., 1901-07-13
OPENING OF JAPAN
Commodore Perry's Expedition in
1853.
MEMORABLE EVENT IN HISTORY
The Mikado's Ports Unbarred to
American Products.
TOMORROW's CELEBRATION

"A number of Japanese warships will be
present. in addition to the four American
"afships under Rear Admiral Rodgers, at
the unveiling July IA at Kurihama of the
monument to commemorate the landing
there of Commodore Perry, July A. 1888.
Admiral Rodgers, on the New York. and
the guhboat Yorktown arrived at Yoko-
mama yesterday. These vessels will be
joined by the gunboat Bennington - the
cruiser New Orleans having already ar
riNed at 1okohama-and will cooperate
with Japanese feet on the occasion of
tle uhVelling of the Perry monument on
the 14th instant at kurihama. News
item).
Inc dedication of the monument in ia
pan IN celebration of the welcome extend
ed by that country to Commodore Mat
theW - Perry and his expedition in 1853,
iecdiIS one OF the most memorable events
IN IN thls country's history. The object of
that expedition was to cultivate friendship
with the Japanese and ultimately find
markets for our goods Beyond few
sihp"fecked sailors no strangers had had
any intercourse with the people of the
HoWery kingdom, who We're forbidden on
pam OF death from leaving their country.
Inc laws Of the land regulated the size
ana construction of their vessels so that
Inc people, too. We're timid mariners and
AFRAID to venture out Of sight of land. The
result was that the country a hermit
lahd. Many of the trading nations of F,11-
rope had earnestly desired to form com
merclal ties with the Japanese, but it re-
NAMED for the Americans to open the door
'hroush which in time all others entered
Inc acquisition of California and the
consequent change in the geographical no.
sitlon of the United States was the step
mar led to the cultivation of oriental
1iillty our country had become the mid
Ole Kingdom between Europe and Asia
and we had become neighbors TO the lana
4ese' american enterprise was eager to
ulsperse the obscurity which shut out ia
pan from the view of the world and dark
eieu the difect passage to the east
Commodore Perry's Project.
commodore Perry had urged upon the
government the advantage of sending an
embassy to Japan to establish commercial
relatiohs between that country and the
United States. The project was widely dis
cussed and received attention in a presi-
Dental message to Congress- Ample pro-
vision was made, and Commodore Perry
sahed on the Mississippi from Norfolk
November a. 1852, on his memorable vow
age. II was understood that he should be
reinforced by the steamer S1souehanna
the sloops of war Plymouth and Saratoga
on the East Indian station and other YES
sels and store ships During the VOYAGE
general orders We're read which directed
that, as all amicable means We're to he
used before resortng to force to Obtain
the object of the expedition, each one in
MS relations with the Japanese should be
as friendly as possible. 1t was evidently
the purpose of the commodore to open
Japan to American intercourse at all haz-
afds. The crews Were kept thoroughly
drilled and reached a high state of disci-
pline.
On the way to Japan stop was made at
the Loo Choo Islands, dependent on Japan
and friendly relations We're established
after considerable reluctance on the part
of the orentals.
Arrival in the Bay of Yeddo,
The arrival of the fleet in the Bay OF
Yeddo produced the liveliest CONSERVATION.
The steam vessels easily brushed aside
the throng of sailing vessels that clustered
about them, but the commodore sent word
to the authorities that unless they would
remove their boats he would disperse them
by force They were thereupon ordered
away. There was great excitement on
shore. Guns were frequently fired signal
rockets were shot into the air, soldiers
were paraded about the batteries on the
headlands and at night beacon fires blazed
and iiiumined the long stretch Of shore
Tedious negotiations followed with the au-
thorities of the city Of Uraga, opposite
which the fleet had anchored. Every OBJ
stacle was offered to the commodore's de-
mand that a proper parsonage be sent to
whom he might deliver the Presidents let
ter But finally the commodore's perse-
verance was rewarded. The government of
Japan reluctantly decided to yield. Thurs
day, the 18th of July, was appointed for
the interview. This concession was grant
ed only after the commodore had threaten
ed that he would carry the Presidents s
letter to Yeddo, the capital, and deliver it
in person. II will wait until Tuesday, the
18th of July, and no longer declared the
commodore. On that day the answer of
quent Thursday for the reception A small
village called Gorihama or Kurihama was
selected for the interview.
The Presidents Letter Presented.
When the day arrived the two steamers
were moved down the bay opposite the
place and anchored so that their guns
could command the landing. The Japanese
had put up a temporary building of wood
with lofty, peaked roof White canvas
painted in squares, with black stripes, COW
cred the building and stretched a long dis
tance to each side. Nine tall standards of
rich crimson cloth, surrounded by a num-
Der of colored flags, We're distributed along
the beach in front, while 5000 japanese
troops were arrayed IN line behind. The
hills in the neighborhood We're thronged
with people. Two Japanese boats We're
sculled ont to the Susquehanna bearing the
governor and vice governor, and on their
arrival preparations were made for hte
landing About fifteen boats laden With
officers marines and sailors now left the
ships for the shore. One of the captains
led the way in his barge fanked by the
japanese boats bearing the governor and
vice governor of traSa and their suites |
The others followed, accompanied by two
bands that played lively airs. The marines
and sailors landed and formed on the bea ch
to await the coming of the commodore |
who was the last to leave. AS he approach |
ed the shore thirteen guns from his flag
ship saluted him. On landing he was es- |
corted by the American forces, numbering
nearly 400, to the building The United |
States flag was borne by two tall, fine look
ing sailors, who had been picked out of
the whole fleet for their stalwart proper
tions. They were Immediately followed by
two fancifully dressed boys, who bore, !
wrapped In a scarlet cloth covering, the
box containing the cemmodores credentials
and the Presidents letter. These docu-