The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-04-10
Point in Asiatic Civilization From
Which in Fifty Years the Land
Has Progressed.
FOREIGNERS THEN BARRED.
Every Effort Was Made to Keep
American Commodore From
Entering Yeddo Bay--Expe-
ditiOn Was to Promote
Trade.
BY WILLIAM E. SIMMONS.

BY WILLIAM F.. SIMMONS.
WRITTEN Fol THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
The case with which the japanese have
surmounted In half a century the condi-
lions. habits Of thought. force of custom
and restrictive laws which usually fetter
the advancement of a people is simply
wonderful.
The existence of Japan had been known
TO Christendom for more than 800 years
before the visit of Commodore Perry in
1858. but for all practical purposes it vas
until then a terra incognita.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans
to visit the country.
They secured a foothold there in the
early part OF the Sixteenth Century. hav-
ing been kindly received by the japanese.
Xavier. succeeded In converting many OF
the natives in the neighborhood of Maya
saki to Christianity
But he was succeeded by less discreet
proselytes, who attempted to foment trea-
son.
The attempt resulted in the expulsion of
the Portuguese. the massacre Of the con-
verts and the exclusion of all foreigners
except the Dutch, who were permitted.
under the most humiliating conditions. to
maintain a trading station on an island in
the Harbor of Nagasakf.
Nothing can illustrate more clearly the
progressive nature Of the japanese and
the wonderful progress they have made
man me contrast between their navy at
their navy Of to-day.
At that lime their navy consisted of
3unkS propelled by sail and galleys of
boats.
The accompanying Illustrations are Sc
Autographs in the possession OF Mr.. John
Hope Of New York. a grandson on his
dore.
An evidence OF the primitive notions of
the Japanese at the time is afforded by
the fact that although they possessed ar
T,,eay' secured from Europe through the
Dutcn. It had not occurred to them to arm
their ships with heavy guns.
BARRED ALL FOREIGNERS.
Foreigners were not permitted to land in
the country: the japanese were prohibited
from leaving their native shore, and such
as left. even mariners driven away by
storms. were subject to the penalty of
death II they returned.
Inc crew OF an American merchant ship
at Nagasaki.
commander Glynn was sent in the
United States man-of-war Preble to Sc
fused. he was forbidden to land, and the
Of the batteries were trained on his
ship, But Commander Glynn. being one
OF the resolute men that have contrib
uted to the glory of the American Navy,
threatened to blow the town off its foun-
cations If the men were not delivered up,
and his threat had the desired effect.
commodore Matthew c. Perry. a Young
er brother OF the victor of Lake Erie, was
at that time the most conspicuous Amer
lean naval officer.
He had won distinction as commander
and his employment of steam vessels at |
that time had earned for him the title |
of Commodore Aulick from the Command
Of the Astatic~ squadron in 1850. Commodore |
Perry formally proposed to the United
States Government an expedition TO Jap |
mercfal treaty. |
President Fillmore and Daniel Web |
ster. his first Secretary of State. entered
and an imposing expedition was planned. |
The steam man-of-war Mississippi. |
which had been the Commodore's flag
gheny. the Princeton and the Vermont, |
the slo~ops-of-war Vandaiia and Mace |
donian. and the armed steamships Sup |
ply. Lexington and Southampton were Sc |
ected to constitute the squadron.
n steam man-of-war Susquehanna and
sloopS-of-war Saratoga and Plymouth, |
aiready on the East Indian station. weie
also ordered to Join the expedition. |
IMPATIENT OF DELAYS.
There were exasperatfng delays, how
sver, In the preparation of the squadron 4
Tor sea, and the fall Of 1852 arrived be-
'ore it was ready. Impatient at the de-
after part or November. steamed down
he Potomac from Washington in the Mis-
.issippi, accompanied by the Princeton.
The other ships were to follow as soon
Is they could be made ready.
The Princeton's machinery broke down
oefore she reached Norfolk. and she was
eft to transfer her equipment to the
oowhatan, which had just returned from
'ea duty.
But the Disguised old Commodore did
1ol walt for the Powhatan. He sailed
rom Norfolk. with the Mississippi alone,
m November "A. 1859. He proceeded to the
Asiatic station by way Of the Cape of