The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-28
OUR RELATIONS TO
JAPANESE EMPIRE
Only Sea Fight Between Japan
and United States.
THAT WAS IN YEAR 1864
Japan's Attitude Since That
Time Entirely Different

The official relations between the Unit
ed States and Japan. according to papers
on file in the archives of the State and
Navy Departments at Washington, date
back to the early 'SOs. In 1881 the atten-
ton of our government was directed TO
at the time that good opportunity had
offered itself for introducing America to
the notice of the japanese in a friendly
way of returning to their native land a
number Of japanese shipwrecked sailors
The Asiatics, however. misconstrued our
mission and did not receive our advances
in the same friendly spirit in which they
were rendered. The American ship Nor
rison, upon arrival in the Land Of the
Rising SUM-" was repealed with violence.
In 1s4s the japanese detained some
American seamen who were shipwrecked
upon Japan's coast. The sloop Preble,
Captain Glynn, forthwith dropped in and
gave the japanese authorities such a con-
vincing argument that they gladly liber-
ated the Americans.
These were among the main causes
which brought about the first and only
naval battle that ever took place between
this country and Japan. It occurred on
July Is, 1863, and it was the fight between
the United States ship Wyoming and
three Japanese vessels and several land
batteries.
Previous to 1853 the ports of Japan were
closed to foreign vessels. In 1854 Commo-
dore Perry, of the United States Squad
ron, opened negotiations with the Tycoon
of Japan and treaty was entered into,
according to which the ports of Simoda
and Hakodadi were opened to the United
States. Previous to this Japan had prac-
tically remained a sealed book. Russia
followed with treaty in 1855.
In 1857, Mr.. Harris. consul general of
the United States, made a new treaty by
which the port of Nagasaski was opened
to the United States, the friendly pow
err" as the United States was always
styled in diplomatic correspondence with
Japan. Then came Great Britain with a
treaty by which the ports of Neegata and
Hiogo were opened. France and the Meth
erlands also obtained treaty ports 1t was
these treaties which caused the trouble
that led to the battle in 1853 The treaty
making powers cid not understand the in
ternal political divisions or Japan.
The inland sea of Japan and the Straits
of Shimonoseki formed a continuous
waterway from the eastern to the west
ern boundary or the empire. The straits
at their narrowest point were only one
fourth of a mile wide, and there the
Daimio of Nagato erected Notifications
and placed his war vessels. In June, 1863,
the Pembroke. a small American steamer,
freighted with merchandise and bound
from Yokohoma to Nagasak, was near
ing the eastern entrance TO these straits
with the American flag flying. The pow
erful batteries of the forts and the war
vessels opened fire on her, and she was
compelled to put out to 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 orders from Washington,
sent the Wyoming to the scene of the
attack TO demand satisfaction for the in
suit to the flag
The Wyoming was in command of Com
mander David Stockton McDougal. who
died a Rear Admiral He was cruising in
eastern waters in search of the Confed
crate vessel Alabama. He at once start
ed for the Straits of Shimonoseki.
He entered the straits on the morning
of July 16 1863. Tarapaulins covered the
portfolios of the Wyoming and she looked
IL "a
row entrance could be seen two square
rugged vessels and steamer anchored
close to the town. As soon as McDougal
saw them he held a consultation with his
officers and said:
Gentlemen. We will either blow those
ships out Of the water or sink ourselves
that the center Of the channel
was marked by a stake. he suspected that
the guns Of the forts were trained on this
point. so he gave orders to run in close To
the northern shore. The American flag
had been run up and the little Wyoming
made for the ship inside.
She carried only six guns. while the
combined armament of the japanese
ships and the forts amounted to forty
eight guns The forts opened fire or the
Wyoming. but the shrewd move Of Cap
ain McDougal in going in shore had dis
concerted the Japs in their aim As u
vas two sailors and a marine were killed
before the Wyoming could get psst the
forts. She then made dash for the Jap
aaese vessels. They were the steamer
L~anceield. the brig Lanrik. both q Eng
ISL build, and the AmeTican-buiit brig
Daniel Webster captain McDougal ran f.
n between these vessels and the Lanrsk
poured three broadsides into the Wyom-
ng She replied with such vigor that the
Lsnrick was soon IN a sinking condition +
The two vessels had been SO close 10 each +
,ihsr that the faces ef the japanese gun f.
lers could be distinctly seen Soon The 4
-.anrick went down and thu Daniel Weo-
ter was 10 better OF. The Lanceseld /.
.;tempted 70 escape. but the Wyoming .
gave chase n her. with the result that
Alter few wel-iirected shots she ~as
,iovn UP.
Captain McDouZal turned and sailed ont
= the harbov after sieacing The forts
IiIling over sc japanese and destroying .
he three vessels His OVID Ioss was four
men killed In action and seven WOUNDED.
ne Of whom afterEsrd died The hull q
he Wyoming had been hi, ten times her .
1Innel had six holes in IL Two nasiz
Sere injured and the upper rigging badly .
u,
Following this battle In 1864 japan paid .
o the Urited States the sun q SO % +
8 an indsmri;y fund Ogt e this fuud
iaiTns were TO Be paid 10 those suffering
he damages from the DaimOsos. bgr. IS a
natter 81 fact. nothing zss done This
uad remained on deposit with the state
Iepartmezt and vas invested q United
states securities Bnta. 81 lSsa. IL amount
"A 20 thA SIN. Of 81 "a "a Ffraitxr A., fhas