Evening star., 1940-10-20
Commodore Perry Provided Initial Chapter Relations With japanese
Ships Made
History for
Nipponese
Great Reception in
Washington Was
Spectacular
By John CIageff Proctor.

By John Claaet Proctor.
Washington is a great town for
historic events. Indeed, every now
and then something turns up to
carry the mind back to some
important and occasionally momen-
tous happening here long, long ago.
And it may not always be of local
nature either as some might as
sumo, for being at the seat Of
government, it is frequently OF
worldwide significance, just as
happens to be the case just now IN
our problems in the Far East, and
particularly those with Japan, which
a hundred years ago was known to
this country by name only.
AS matter of fact, our first con-
tact with this foreign country oc-
CURED on July 8, 1853. when Comdr.
Matthew Calbraith Perry entered
Uraga Harbor with four ships and
$50 men and anchored there despite
objection on the part of the natives,
and the seemingly menaclng at
titude of hundreds Of Japanese
boats that gathered around his
vessels. However. native ofncer
was admitted on board to an inter-
view arranged with one of the sub
ordinate officers of the squadron,
who" 1t is said. told him that
no japanese boats would be allowed
to come within a certain distance
of the vessels; and demanded that
an officer Of high rank should be
sent on board to receive the Pres
ident's letter to the Emperor"
Demands Protested.
Urgent objections were made to
all these demands. but the American
officer cut them short peremptorily,
by saying that if the boats were not
withdrawn they would be fired upon,
and that if proper officers were not
sent to receive the letters. the
vessels would go to the capital, and
the American commodore would
deliver them in person.
The Japanese made many in
ouiries concerning the contents OF
che letters, the number Of men on
beard the ships, etc, all which
questions were repelled as imperti-
nent. The next day all the boats
we're withdrawn. Active prepara-
tions and musters of troops were
observed on shore, and everything
Indicated unusual trepidation.
After a delay Of about a week,
permission from the Emperor to
send the letters was announced.
On the 14th, the steamers pro-
ceeded to Jeddo, and by appoint
ment the commodore and stan,
escorted by about 500 men armed
to the teeth, went on shore and had
an interview with the commissioners
appointed by the Emperor to receive
him. Not less than 10000 Japanese
troops were drawn up in line. ana
an immense concourse OF people
was in attendance. The interview
was in all respects friendly, and
announcement was held out that
the requests OF the President OF the
United States in regard to trade
would be granted"
Treaty Is Signed.
The following February, Perry
returned to Japan for the signature
of the Emperor to treaty OF peace
and amity with that country. This
time the commodore had with him
a fleet of 10 ships and 1000 men,
and though it took weeks to ar
range the details Of the treaty, YET
a., >es,.r u-oe e,,ccessf,Il and
the treaty was finally concluded at
Kanagawa, March 81, 1884, ana
after other formalities were ar
ranged the treaty was proclaimed
June %, 1855.
Two wears later another treaty
was signed, and still another one
in 1858, the latter resulting in the
bringing to this country, in 1850,
Of one Of the most colorful diploma
tic delegation ever, seen in America.
It arrived in this city on May H.
1860. and ratifications Of the treaty
of 1858 were exchanged eight days
later. and proclaimed on May 23.
Whatever we may think OF the
wisdom of the negotiations with
the Nipponese, surely their coming
here was an outstanding day In the
history OF the Capital.
At this time Washington had a
population Of something like IS 900
residents and the census OF the
entire country accounted for only
q little more than 81 900 900 persons.
There was not an asphalt or cement
street in the city. no streetcars, no
sewerage to amount to anything
and several hundred pumps fur
nished the principal supply OF water
for drinking and cooking purposes.
However, The Star was then In
existence-indeed, it was then going
strong into its eighth year OF pub
lication-and so we can rely upon
what 1t had to say Of this event
as true and interesting, for its re-
porter was undoubtedly at the Navy
Yard when the delegation disem-
barked. and when he sent In the
following account of what transpired
there. Said he:
I'm pursuance of special orders,
at 10 o'clock the officers of the yard
assembled in full dress at the COM
mandants ONCE, then to await fur-
tt1er orders. The military, composed
of the marines, regulars and VOL
unteers. under command OF Maj.
Terrett, United States Marine
Corps. formed on the parade ground
In front of the landing. where the
Japanese and United States hags
were to be displayed.
g Witness Reception.
II "On the approach Of the Embassy
a gun was fired. when all the en-
oloyes of the yard left their several
workshops and formed on each side
of the main avenue In front Of the
anchor house for the purpose Of
witnessing the reception. On the
arrival Of the Philadelphia at the
wharf Capt. Dahlgren caused to be
fired q salute Of II guns, the number
usually accorded to an Ambassador:
A.s >f