JAPAN. 



415 



beyond the limits of the city of Yeddo. For- 

 eign papers in Yokohama claimed that the 

 conspiracy was participated in by 40,000 men, 

 the retainers of the dispossessed daimios, the 

 object being to seize the Emperor and carry 

 him back to Kioto, and then rise and exter- 

 minate the foreigners. The Government dis- 

 covered the plot, beheaded a number of the 

 leaders, and completely restored order. It 

 resolved to commence settling the debts of 

 the daimios, which policy it was thought 

 would secure peace in the future; because 

 without money the former daimios would be 

 more than powerless. 



The first Japanese fair, under the direction 

 of the Government, took place at the sacred 

 city of Kioto on April 10th, and lasted 50 days. 

 Foreigners were allowed to visit it and the 

 suburbs for a period of 64 days, enabling them 

 to show their manufactures. This is con- 

 sidered the virtual abandonment of their ex- 

 clusive policy, and one of the results from the 

 visit of Ivvakura to America. The fair was to 

 be reopened on New-Year's day. 



In April, the late Tycoon of Japan was in- 

 vited by the Mikado to come out of his late 

 retirement, and received an honorary appoint- 

 ment under the Government, accompanied by 

 a highly-complimentary title. The leader of 

 the rebel forces during the late revolution, 

 Katori, has been appointed Minister of Finance. 

 Ennomoto, the Tycoon's admiral who tried to 

 take the island of Yesso, but was imprisoned 

 tor four years, has been appointed Superin- 

 tendent of Yesso. 



A frightful fire occurred in April in Yeddo 

 during a severe gale, destroying habitations 

 covering a space of six square miles. The fire 

 originated in one of the prince's late palaces, 

 which was occupied by troops. The flames 

 leaped over whole blocks of buildings and set 

 fire to places a mile distant from the building 

 in which the fire began. An immense amount 

 of property was destroyed; 20,000 persons 

 were made houseless. The Government opened 

 their rice storehouses and fed all who applied. 

 The occurrence of this fire led the Govern- 

 ment to permit foreigners to lease land in 

 Yeddo, the owners being compelled to make 

 monthly reports. It was expected that this 

 act would cause foreign money to be invested 

 there to improve the city. A new plan of the 

 burnt district would be made, and wide streets 

 and substantial buildings only would be al- 

 lowed. 



In June, Mr. "Watson, the new charge cVaf- 

 faires for England, refused to meet the Mikado 

 unless he would be allowed to stand in the 

 presence of the Mikado, instead of squatting. 

 Terashima-Tozo, the Minister of Foreign Af- 

 fairs, refused to accede, and in consequence 

 Mr. Watson declared that he would wait for 

 instructions from home before he would pre- 

 sent himself. The difficulty was subsequently 

 settled by an arrangement that both parties 

 would stand during the reception. The first 



party so presented was Admiral Jenkins, of 

 the United States Navy. 



The sudden suspension of public proceedings 

 by the Japanese embassy in America, and the 

 return of some of the provincial members, at- 

 tracted considerable attention. The facts in 

 this case were reported to be as follows : 



Although the time fixed for the general 

 revision of the treaties had been extended un- 

 til a period 'subsequent to the return home of 

 the ambassadors, circumstances arose during 

 their sojourn in Washington which made it 

 appear expedient to them to begin at once the 

 international discussion upon this subject. 

 The credentials Avhich they held did not, how- 

 ever, authorize them to undertake this labor, 

 and it was to obtain a larger power that Ito 

 and Okubo returned to'Yeddo. The Govern- 

 ment generally favored the proposition, think- 

 ing, perhaps, that more generous terms might 

 be obtained by the distinguished visitors in 

 the respective capitals of the treaty powers 

 than would be agreed to by the accredited 

 ministers in Japan. But it was strongly op- 

 posed by the heads of the Foreign Office, 

 Soyeshirna and Terashima, chiefly on the 

 ground that the ambassadors abroad were un- 

 protected by efficient legal assistance, and 

 might therefore be led into indiscretions, while 

 in their own country they would have the 

 guidance of officers especially engaged for this 

 purpose. The difference was not easily ad- 

 justed. At one time it seemed probable that 

 the ambassadors would carry their point, but 

 Soyeshima having threatened to resign, and, 

 in fact, having surrendered his functions for a 

 short interval, it was finally decided to adhere 

 to the original plan. 



The Mikado left Yeddo on June 28th, ac- 

 companied by eight war-steamers, on a visit 

 to Kioto and other portions of the southern 

 country. This is the first time in Japanese 

 history that the Mikado has embarked on such 

 an excursion, and much good is expected to 

 result from it. He was dressed in a foreign 

 style, with an ample supply of gold braid, and 

 had several attendants who were similarly at- 

 tired. The natives looked with amazement 

 at these changes, inaugurated through the late 

 civil war. 



The relations between Japan and Corea have 

 been for some time of an unfriendly character. 

 The letter of the Mikado, on assuming power 

 in Japan, to the Coreans, demanding tribute, 

 was torn up and scattered with contempt. 

 One of the ambassadors of Japan was impris- 

 oned, and the other sent back to convey the 

 threats of Coreans and their contempt for the 

 new rule. The letter of the Mikado was sent 

 three years ago, since which time America at- 

 tempted to make a treaty with Corea. The 

 foreign residents of Yokohama declared that, 

 if the Japanese had been friendly disposed 

 toward the United States, they would have in- 

 formed the Americans of the state of affairs in 

 Corea, aad thus avoided a defeat of American 



