Year: 1874

JEDDO, japan, NOV. ~, 1874.
The news Of the successful termination OF the
conferences in Pek1n has been welcomed through
out Japan with the liveliest satisfaction. The
prospect OF war was never attractive, except to
certain small and irresponsible class, which had
neither opportunity nor inclination to estimate
the possible consequences OF SO grave an event.
Among the higher officers OF the government, as
well as the people at large, there was always an
earnest desire to avoid an actual conflict, but at
the same time rigid determination TO maintain
in the frmest manner the position assumed at the
outset OF the Formosa difficulties, and to vlndicate
the just claims OF Japan at whatever hazard OF
peril or sacrifice. Thus, while the negotiations OF
the Commissioners In China were all directed
toward pacific solution OF the questions at issue,
the energies or the authorities al home were ap-
Piled TO preparing the most thorough means Of
meeting the issue in case hostillties could
not be honorably averted. The inhabitants
OF every degree including the Emperor and his
family, the mobiles and the mass Of the people,
offered voluntary contributions to the extent OF
their ability for the support Of the administration
In the contemplated crisis. Large bodies of citizens
enrolled themselves, without solicitation or sug.
Restion, as volunteer troops, and urgently Pc
titoned for the acceptance Of their services in the
Held. great part OF the labor OF the department.
charged with this whole subject consisted in re-
ceiving ana duly considering the offers OF material
aid which poured IN from all parts OF the country.
These were, with due Acknowledgements in all
cases declined but with the assurance that II the
government should at later period find itself In
any degree embarrassed, such assistance would
then be frankly asked lor. The official records
abundanty prove that the spontaneous enthusi.
ssm awaKened by the mere uncertain prospect or
serving the nation in q time OF public danger has
hardly parallel, unless 1t be In the uprising
OF the multitudes in the Northern States
1T the outbreak OF the Southern rebellion.
The spirit universally displayed often led to
belief, on the part OF outside observers. that the
authorities and the populace were alike resolved
upon contest, and were ready to provoke 1t, If
necessary by the adoption OF the EXTREMIST meas
ures. Such, however, was never the case. The
vast accumulattons Of war material the collection
or formidable armaments at the nearest points to
the Chinese coast and the military registration OF
the inhabitants or the Empire were movements OF
precaution, essential to the safety Of the State.
They not only placed Japan in the position which
It was necessary she should hold in the event of
war, but they contributed In no small degree to
The actual preservation Of peace. The bold and
confident attitude which she mainta from the
beginning, which was the growth OF sincere con.
viction of the propriety OF her course, was not





Chinese Cabinet. In ali respects the action OF
Japan and her representatives has been united
and concentrated upon one point-tne vindcation
OF the right OF the government to protect It's SUBJ
jects, to enforce redress for past outrages
ana to secure protection for the future. The
manner In which this end should be attained
was not always certain. There were moments
when the apprehension OF those who chose to
adopt gloomy view OF affairs seemed in some de-
gree justified. But that 1t must be attained-by
peaceful methods II possible, by arms If needfu--
was the unaiterable resolution. Throughout the
entire progress OF affairs there were many who
looked to no other result than that which mas
happily arrived and these, perhaps, find the most
genuine satisfaction OF all in the existing con-
dition OF things But among the whole people
there is hardly voice OF discomfort. either with
the nnal arrangement or the means by which it
was secured.


FEELING OF THE FOREIGNERS.


The foreign community, as may be supposed,
does not take so undivided view Of the situation
Few expressions OF hearty and unieigned con-
graduation have been heard. on the contrary
the recognition OF Japan's success has been, with
one or two conspicuous exceptions, reluctant and
constrained. Why 1t Is that the pl oppressive career
OF this country Is regarded with steady
aversion by large proportion OF the
foreign residents is question that
might be answered without muoh difficulty. but
which need not be mere examined. The TACT IS in
dlsputlble. AS a rule the intelligence OF the d.
plomatic victory was not cordial fwelcomed. The
general interests of trade were bound up in the
maintenance OF peace, and on that ground the
adjustment OF the troubles was admitted to be a
pubic anvanLange; but that the credit OF having
accomplished great and beneficial mork--not
only unaded, but in spite OF many painful OBJ.
her Way-SlOQl0 gained by
Japan was contrary to the expectations and to
the wishes OF the majority OF European denizens.
1t Is In consequence or this feeling that We have
seen disposition to wrest the distinction OF the
achievement from the Japanese commissioners, to
iasten it upon this or that representative OF West
ern observation-disclosures OF whom have certainly
see css yse IN New heF
the Interests Of Japan, nor, in broad
sense. the interests OF civilization and
humanity. 1t is quite enough to acknowledge
them to have been animated by sense OF duty to
their respective governments and themselves.
That they acted with any sort Of regard Ior the
simple absurdity to allege. special enort mas
been made to attribute the good fortune o. the
the British Minister at Pekn the brief narrative
OF the history oil the Embassy, which shall pres.
sumption. 1t IS as certain &c tam as S any fact Connected
with the whole business can possibly De that not
acted a friendly or encouraging part toward
Japan at any period OF this difficult business; and
the annoyances occasioned by the interference OF
many OF them are OF too recent occurrence to re-.
quire recapitulation at this point.


THE INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS.


detailed account OF the interviews held in
June, 1874, In Formosa, between General Saigo
and the Chinese envoy, Shen-pao- Chen, was pub
lished in the HERALD OF September S. the tenor OF
the agreement then arrived at having been tele-
graphed from Annoy Immediately alter the event.


1t Is now known that the position then taken
by Japan has never since been changed in any
malerial degree. But the misgivnas which were
then freely acknowledged ON the part OF the
yona MOI On NJ nd r = Yn nad svx
foundation. Having acceded, apparently upon
ample authority, TO the requirements OF Saigo.
or wholly repudiated by the Pekin govern
ment on his return home HIS representa-
the expediency OF recognizing the correctness
oil the position taken by Japan-were set aside,
and the attitude assumed by CHINA grew TO be SO
threatening that 1t was found expedlent to send
two representatives TO different points to arrange
for the settlement oil the growing cOmplcatlons