West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-03-24
ST VIRGINIA. THURSDAY. MARCH "a. 1904.
pERRv's EXPEDITION TO JAPAN.
Address by okc Before
February 16, 1904
LFrom ,he Windsor rrlhnne. !

Japan and Russia, thought, il not improper
TO make few remarks upon Japan; not tha,
| can give YOU any ligh, upon what those
two nations are fighting about, for do no,
know, aud II | did know. from the position
| occupy ought no. TO express an opinion
on the merits of that controversy.
But the remarkable growth and deveiope-
men, of Japan during the last hf,y years
her springing up from savage or semi
barharous nation 10 the grade aud standing
of 6rs,-elass civilized power. is now great
historical fact, aud the United States. by
peaeeable diplomacy. is enutled TO tho
credit of that wonderful result.
In 1858 the United States found Japan in
the swaddliug clothes of an infant savage,
refusing TO hold any intercourse, inter.
national, social, commercial OF diplomats.
with any civilized nation Of the world.
In 1854, the Uni,ed States Tor good inter.
national causes, determined to break up this
exclusive policy Of Japan, and make her
hold social and commercial relations with
other nations, and open up her ports 10
trade, as all the other nations were then do.
ing. In accordance with this determination
in March, 1884. the United States made The
FIRST treaty ever made by Japan with any
foreign power. This treaty was made
Peaeeably through Commodore Perry In his
expedition In 1884, and his report OF tina,
expedition reads so like romance that much
of ii is well worth repeating.
rERRY's rxrEpIuoN.
Prior to 1853, and indeed ever since
European nations first visited Japan, various
maritime powers had made efforts to establish
commercial intercourse with that country,
bu, without success. Portugal was the first
to make The attempt, and her example was
followed by Holland, England, Spain and
Russia, aud twice by the United Slsses
previous 20 1858. All these attempts, how
ever, had been unsuccessful. Japan declined
all intercourse with all foreign nations excep,
China and the Dutch, and so vigorously did
that country carry out its system Of exclusion
tha, foreign vessels were not permitted ia
enter their ports, OF even do acts OF kindness
TO their own shipvreeked sailors. In f84I,
a japanese junk was wrecked on the Pacific
coas, Of the United States. An American
ship, the MORRISON, directed by the g. S.
Government, earned these shipwrecked
japanese sailors back % Japan, but on
raching the bay q Ycdo, and trying to
aud, the MORRISON was fred upon by the
japanese balgenea On shore rhe Morrison
taen tried 90 land these ,ailors at another
p5r' on the island, hut meeting with the
same reception he ship had 10 bring the
japanese sailors back to lhe United States.
Upon the foregoing facts the Secretary 'of
State made the following statement of inter.
national Iaw for the government Of commo-
dore Perry every nation has undoubtedly
the right 10 determine for itself the extent 10
which il will hold intercourse with other
nations. The same law Of nations, how.
ever, which protects nation ia the exercise
Of this right, imposes upon her certain duties
which she canno, justly disregard. Among
these duties none is more imperative than
that which requires her to succor and relieve
those persons who are cast by the perils Of
he ocean upon her shores This duty Is, IL
is true among those denominated by writer's
on public law, imperfect, and which confer
no right on other nations 20 exact their per-
Torrance; nevertheless, II a nation not only
habitaalIY and Systematically disregards It,
bat treats such unfortunate persons as il
they we're The most a,rocious criminals, such
nations may justly be considered as the
common enemy Of mankind.
'frhai the civilized nations Of the ord
should for ages have submitted to such treat.
meni by a weak and semi-barbarous people.
can only be accounted for on the sopposition
that, from the remoieoess Of the country.
instances Of such treatment were Of rare
occuranec, and the difficulty Of chasusrng II
very great
''It can hardly be doubted that Il Japan
were situated near the continent of Europe
Or America, As II Is 10 Asia. is governmen,
would long since have been treated ~ bsf.
barians. or been compelled 10 respect ,lI5se
usages Of civilized States, Of which IL re-.
ceives the protection"
Twice before Commodore Perry's Erue.
dilon, the uarled States had attempted 10
establish commercial intercourse with Japan.
In 1882 a Mr. Roberts was appointed q
special agent Of the United stsses with
authority 10 negotiate treaties with sandry
nations, ineiuding Japan, but he died before
reaching the island.
In i845, Commodore Biddle vas sent with
two war vessels 10 visit japan and ascertain
If i's ports we're open fIe proceeded 10
Yedo, bul vas told that the Japanese could
trade with no foreign nation except the
Datoh and The Chinese, aud be was per.
eppiofily ordered to leave the island and
never 20 return % u.
Even penonai indiguity was offered 10
Commodore Biddle. and his mission was a
failure.
From these conditions ,he duty Of pro.
iccling Amencan seam.n ani cnizsns In
navigating lhs high IS. could no longer BE-
deferred By ihe United States, aud lhe re-.
saii vas the organization Of the Perry Expe.
d.iion 90 Japan. with these main objee,si
fsi. Fof ihe protection ~ Amencso sea.
mcu and vessels wrecked 90 the Jspanes.
islands
2nd fol permission to american vessel.
90 enter one or more p3fis Tor supplies ol
provisions. water. feel, ETC.. 0r in case ol
disasters 10 repaii aud ieht
gfi. foi permission 20 Amefican vessel.
90 enter one of more ports 60 dispose ol
caigoes by sale oi barter
Commodore Perry being informed of ihe
foregoing obiese II ne 6ovcfnment. va.
fntihef nosirusisd, ihai Whist ever concession.
hs obisned fom japan aecd not abolg l.,