The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-03-31

my lot to play minor part IN an eplsoue
of far greater historical importance than
T then realized. For the Island King
dom. which today holds position in the
forefront of civilization, was at that
neriod veritable hermit among ma
tions, not even beginning to emerge
from the darkness of barbarism. Its
people, wholly ignorant OF modern arts,
were quite satisfied with their condition
in this respect, and wished to have
nothing to do with foreigners. Inc
Dutch and Russians had secured COM
mercial relations with them OF a very
restricted sort, at the expense OF many
discomforts and humiliations such as
Americans would never have been will
ing to endure. What we wanted was
the opening of the country to our trade.
Perry was sent to accomplish that OBJ
ject, and his success in obtaining
treaty may be said TO have marked the
new birth of Japan.
Though ffty-one years have passed
since the arrival of the American
squadron in the Bay of Yeddo, many of
the scenes and incidents Of our visit are
still vivid in my memory. recall in
particular the calico forts, as the men
on board of our ships called them,
stretching for miles along the shores,
and composing an extensive series OF
defences which might have been deemed
formidable but for the fact that they
were only painted scenery. They were,
in fact, made of cotton cloth, built
screen fashion, and ornamented with
horizontal and vertical stripes which
NAV have been intended to represent
stonework. By the help of our tele-
scopes and feld-glasses we were able to
view them close at hand, as it were-a
possibility that could hardly have oc-
CURED to the minds of the japanese
and thus they failed to terrify us 10 any
great extent.
The Bay of Yeddo is an immense
sheet of water, and we thought the
scenery very beautiful-the. lofty and
symmetrical cone of Fujiyanla, Japan's
sacred mountain, towering in the DIS
lance, its summit clad IN SNOW, and
the landscape dotted with picturesque
villages. 1t was charming weather, IN
the month of July, 1853, and on the
water were floating innumerable trading
iunks and other craft, including a great
many government boats, some of them
carving soldiers, which flocked about
our ships rather menacingly. They
wanted to come aboard, to parley with
us and doubtless to spy, but the COM
modore had given orders that this was
not TO be allowed, and, to convince the
laps that the prohibition was to be TAX
en- in earnest. we made brave show OF
pikes and cutlasses, with sentinels at the
pangwavs and guns and ammunition IN
readiness for use. One official, l renem-
her. came alongside and held UP big
niece of paper, on which were printed
some words in large letters, in French,
ordering us to 90 away immediately.
The Japanese had known that we
were coming, but they never dreamed
that we would dare to enter the bay OF
Yeddo. They supposed, as a matter OF
course. that we would go to Nagasakl,
to which port the Dutch and Russian
traders were admitted under various
huniliating restrictions. But the COM
modore. who was an exceedingly shrewd
man. perceived that, if he adopted such
a programme, he would be likely TO De
treated on the same basis as the other
foreigners-a thing not to be endured,
inasnuch as he came on diplomatic
mission. as an ambassador and the per
sonaf representative of the President OF
the United States.
Accordingly we went direct to 4eddo,
the CAPITAL of the country. prepared TO
play the biggest game OF bluff lnagin-
able If the Japanese were exclusive
he would be equally naughty: II they
told him to go away he would pay no
attention. If they refused to negotiate,
he would make himself, politely but
firmly. so tiresome that they would be
Obliged to respond in some shape.
Snubs would not count, because he could
be equally snubby in return. While do
ing his best to preserve peace, he would
make it manifest that he could meet
force with fore All through the game
he was to insist on being treated by the
Emperor on equal terms. and would NOT
discuss the object OF his mission with
ANYBODY who did not hold credentials
as the personal representative OF the
monarch.
Though half a century has gone Dy
I remember the commodore as well as II
had seen him yesterday. A tall and
flne-looking man. he belonged to the
type of old sea-dog that has passed
away. Capable of using strong cuss.
words under provocation, he was fond
of his grog. and partook of the flow
ing bowl with freedom that was con
sidered becoming to gentleman OF the
old-schooI and to an officer of the old
navy. At the same time, he was a mar
of considerable learning, with a decided
taste for literary pursuits, and during
the expedition to Japan he kept very
elaborate and comprehensive journal
on which he would do some work everl
night. Soon after dinner he would GO
TO bed, and at about I a. m he woulC
wake up, summon young Perry, III
cali. like Old King Cole for his pip,
and his bowl. and start in to dictate
What seemed 10 annoy the Japanes,
more thai, ANYTHING else was the sur
veying which, in a rough way. we con
Quoted in the Bay of Yeddo. The com
modore sent OFT boats TO map the shore