Year: 1873

Cabinet Change and . Sweeping Minis
tcrial Reform-Thc Moral Force Prin-
ciplc Triumphant Over . War Party
Ring-Relations TO Corca-The Mem
Who Go Out OF Once and Those
Who Come In.


YOKOHAMA, Nov. q 1873.


complete change has just taken place In the
personnel OF the Japanese government, amount
Ing almost to what would be termed in some c0un-
tries revolution. As In England the Ministry Is
often split or disagrees upon question OF either
domestic or foreign policy 80 here, in japan, the
late Daijokwan. or Great Council or state, has
wrecked ITSELF l have already informed you OF
Soyerhimas mission to China and Its results. Hav-
ing been assured by China that the latter made
no claim to protectorate over Corea,
and that she would not interfere In
case OF any war between Japan and that country
Soyerhima returned TO Jeddo with full determi-
nation to punish the Coreans for their insulting
behavior OF last year. Preparations were made on
q rather expensive scale, and the invasion Of
Corea was talked about AZ q matter to take place
beyond doubt in the ensuing spring. The idea
was popular both with the masses and the army,
and several OF the old chiefs were chuckling over
the chance of military distinction


AN EARNEST PACIFICATOR AND HIS GREAT POWER.


At this juncture the EN- bassy, which had been
all over America and Europe, returned. Iwakura
and old Kuge, fair statesman and man whose
mind has just been enlightened by two years Of
foreign travel, saw the danger to which japan
would be exposed were she to indulge In the luxury
with al his might and has at last succeeded in


THE "INs" AND THR soUTs.r


sanjo patlinl, the Prime Minister retires He
members OF she Prvy Council; Okuma becomes
Minister OF finance; Ito, Minister OF Public Works,
and Terashima, Minister OF State. Oki Is Minister
OF Justice The heads OF the Departments OF War.
Religion and Education have not yet been ap-
pointed. It will be seen that four OF the members
viz, Iwakura, Okubo, KIDD and Ito. or the re-
firing Ministers the most important are S0yer-
the ana mas made sood Minister Of
The government IS still desr0us OF retaining him.
He has already been offered the position Of Minister
but It Is thought that SUFFICIENT pressure will
be brought to bear TO induce him to recon.
OF War, and retlres now In complete disgust,
as he was the most anxious for the prosecution OF
has DONE Te Ia 1 IS ns
enough to suit Tammany sachem. He has had
his hand In every scheme Of public plunder, and
savored very much or Credit Mobiller or Erie
frauds. The new Ministry is particularly strong.
They are all able men and men OF experience.


NATIvIsM AGAINST RNLIGHTENMENT


Besides the question OF Corea another matter has
tended to this change OF Ministry. Soyerhima had
agreed to convention with the foreign Ministers,
by which the whole OF Japan was to be opened to
foreigners under system OF consular and minis
terial passports. To this Iwakura objected KIDD
has issued manifesto which is supposed to ex-
press the views of all the members OF the Embassy,
TO the following effect:-"Much is said about Japan
becoming civilized. We who have been abroad,
and have seen the most civilized nations OF the
globe, come back fully impressed with the neces-
sity OF Japan adopting Western ideas and Western
civilization. But, hitherto, Japan has gone
the wrong way to work. She has tried to
jump from her former condition into state
ass1milatng with the Western nations. This will
not do. Reform Is q matter OF time. We cannot
expect to do IN SIX years what must necessarily
take generation to accomplish. We must pro-
ceed slower and we shall progress more surely"


TREASURY ECONOMY.


The expenditure Is to be curtaied and q thorough
economical reform is promised. Again Oki, the
Minister OF Justice objects to more ports being
opened until Japan has perfected q system OF
Jurisprudence that wall satisfy foreign Powers 80
that they may be induced to yield the ex-terri-
torial clause. In my opinion this is at the bottom
OF the refusal to open the whole country. Japan
feels that It Is Illuminating to her to allow foreign
Consuls and Ministers to exercise judicial func-
lions within her limits; and until this ex-terri-
torial clause Is expunged she Will be unwilling to
give foreigners liberty to settle In any part Of
Japan but the open ports. Such is the present
position OF the government OF Japan. What the
ultimate results OF this radical cnange are to be
are as yet doubtful, but am rather inclined TO be-
neve that the change will have most salutary
effect upon the condition Of the country.