Year: 1873

| The recent changes III the Japanese Caoine'
| seem to be more important than the brlef tele-


graphic dispatches, heretofore received, would
| Indicate 1t is well known that considerable


struggle is constantly going on between the


progressive or Young Japan party and the


conservatives who delight to call themselves


the party of Old Japan For the first time


since the Empire has been agitated by these


two divisions the contest has precipitated a
| Cabinet crisis and the victory remains with
| Young Japan.


| Somewhat curiOusly, the issue between the
| progressives and conservatives was one in
which the former were for peace while the lat
| ter favored war with Corea. Japan has always
been a military nation, and the Sdmourai, or
military class, were dominant through the
feudal times which have SO lately passed away.
Corea was subjugated by the Japanese under
Jingo- -kogu, A. ID. 200, and the national pride
Of successive generations of warlike Japanese
has been fed by traditions of this and other
conquering expeditions. Gradually, however,
Corea has drifted away from its ancient fealty
to the Sun Empire and, some months ago, on
insulting reply was returned to the demand
of the Government of Japan that pay


ment of annual tribute, with arrears, should
be made. That this reply, which was cOuched
IN brutally insOlent terms, was partly inspired
by COrean elatiOn over the easy repulse OF the
Americans, seems most reasonable The acute
Japanese perceive that COrea has become
more than ever self sufficient and exclusive,
since a squadron of the United States Navy
has failed to crack so much as joint in the
armor In which the nation chooses to seclude
itself from the world without The reply Of
the COrean Government, addressed to that of
Japan, almost cOmical in its grOtesque bar
barousness, was counterpart to that with
which they had previously sent away the
American fire ships.


But it was not worth while for Japan to 90
to war for the sake of vainglorious idea
The dependence Of Corea has long since be-
come only tradition of the past. Civilized
japan could afford to bear in silence the
taupts of q nation of semi -barbarians. Thus
reasoned the leaders of Young Japan, who
have gained new wisdom and enlightenment
by foreign travel The conservatives were
for the immediate subjugation of the people
of the peninsula. On this grave question the
Cabinet was divided sharply, and the result
was general resignation of the Ministers
of State. AS reconstructed, the Cabinet
is headed by Iwakura, Prime Minister;
and the Sangi or Councillors Of State. are
made up from the leading men Of the party
Of progress. Prime Minister Iwakura is well
known as the distinguished head Of the En-
bassy which has just returned to Japan after
n tour of this country and Europe. He is
statesman of extraordinary abilities and cOur-
oce. Okubo, another influential member of
the Embassy, becomes Minister of Finance;
he is one of the powerful Satsuma clan who
hold the Loo-Choo Islands, and is reputed
skIlful statesman. Terashima, late Minister
to England. is the new Minister for Foreign
Affairs; and other changes of similar char
acter are noted. This infusion of new ele-
ments into the Government of japan is sig
nifcant; that it is made in tho interests of
peace, progress, and economy is certainly a
bopefu presage for the future of the Empire.