The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-02-26
United Estates and Japan.

United States and Japan, according to
state and navy departments, date back
to the early '30's. In 1881 the attention
of our government was directed to the
Japanese islands and it was thought at
the time that a good opportunity had
offered itself for introducing America to
the notice of Japanese in friendly way
by returning to their native land num-
Der of shipwrecked japanese sailors.
The Asiatics, however, misconstrued
our mission and did not receive our ad.
vances in the same friendly spirit in
which they were rendered. The Ameri-
can ship Morrison, upon arrival in the
"land of the rising sum- was repealed
with violence.
In lS49 the Japanese detained some
American seamen who were shipwrecked
upon Japan's coast. The sloop Preble,
Capt. Glynn, forthwith dropped in and
gave the Japanese authorities such a
convincing argument they gladly iber-
ated the Americans.
These were among the main causes
which brought about the first and only
naval battle that ever took place be-
tween this country and Japan. 1t oc-
CURED on July Is, 1868, and it was the
fight between the United States ship
Wyoming and three japanese vessels and
several land batteries
Previous to 1868 the ports of Japan
were closed to foreign vessels. In 1854
Commodore Perry of the United States
squadron opened negotiations with the
tycoon of Japan and a treaty was enter
ed into according to which the ports of
Simoda and Hakodadi were opened to
the United States. Previous to this
Japan has practically remained a seal
ed book. Russia followed with a treaty
in 1866.
In 1857 Mr.. Harris consul general of
the United States, made a new treaty
by which the port of Nagasaki was
opened to the United States, the "friend-
ly power" as the United States were al
ways styled in the diplomatic CORES
pondence with Japan. Then came Great
Britain with treaty by which the ports
of Neegata and Hiogo were opened.
France and the Netherlands also OBJ
tanned treaty ports. 1t was these trea-
ties which caused the trouble that led
up to the battle of 1868. The treaty
making powers did not understand the
internal political divisions of Japan.
The inland sea of Japan and the
straits of Shimonoseki formed con-
tinuous waterway from the eastern to
the western boundary of the empire
The straits at their narrowest point
were only one-fourth of mile wide and
there the daimio of Nogato erected for
tifcations and placed his war vessels. In
June, 1868, the Pembroke, small Ameri-
can steamer freighted with merchandise
and bound for Yokohama to Nagasaki
these straits with the American flag
flying. The powerful batteries of the
forts and the war vessels opened fire
on her and she was compelled to put tc
sea again. This was the first time the
United States had had trouble over the
treaty ports and at once the United
States minister, Mr.. Pruyn, under or
ders from Washington, sent the Wyom
ing to the scene of the attack to de
mand satisfaction for the insult to the
flag
The Wyoming was in command Of
Commander David Stockton McDougal
who died rear admiral. He was cruis
ing in eastern waters in search of thu
Confederate vessel Alabama. He at onc'
started for the straits of Shimonoski
He entered the straits on the morning
of July l6, 1868. Tarpaulins covered tn
portfolios of the Wyoming and she looked
like merchant vessel. Inside the mar
row entrance could be seen two square
rugged vessels and steamer anchored
close to the town. AS soon as McDouga
saw them he held consultation will
his officers and said:
Gentlemen, we will either blow thos
ships out of the water or sink ourselves.
He then gave the orders to go ahead
Noticing that the center of the channe
was marked by a stake, he suspected
that the guns of the forts were trained
on this point, SO he gave orders to ruI
in close to the northern shore. Thu
American flag has been run up and thu
little Wyoming made for the ship in
side.
She carried only six guns, while TIT
combined armament of the Japanese
ships and forts amounted to forty eigh
guns The forts opened fire on thu
Wyoming, but the shrewd move of Capt
McDougal in going in short had discon
certed the Japs in their aim. AS it wa'
two sailors and marine were killed be
fore the Wyoming could get past TIT
forts. She then made a dash for thu
Japanese vessels. They were thu
steamer Lancefeid, the brig Lanrick
both of English build, and the American
built brig Daniel Webster. Capt. Nc
Dougal ran in between these vessels ant
the Lanrick poured three broadsides int
the Wyoming. She replied with sucl