Page:Japan by the Japanese (1904).djvu/183
the 10th of January, 4th year of Keio, and signed by the Emperor himself, and stamped with the Great Seal of the empire, worded as follows:
‘We, Tenno of Japan, hereby inform the Emperors and Kings of each and all the Powers and their subjects. Keiki lately petitioned us to hand back the governing power, and we granted it. The affairs of State, both internal and external, we will hereafter personally decide. Hence, the term Taicoon, used in the treaties, shall henceforth be changed into that of Tenno. Special functionaries have been appointed to deal with foreign affairs. Let the Ministers of the Powers know this.’
On the same day an Imperial ordinance was issued announcing to the nation the foreign policy of the new Government:
‘The question of foreign intercourse had for many years been a matter of the greatest concern with the late Emperor, but, while nothing was done through the mistake of the Shogun Government, the state of affairs has entirely changed, making it impossible now to decide otherwise than to conclude a treaty of peace and friendship with the foreign Governments. The high and low should hereafter dispel all doubt, unite their forces in strengthening the army, and making the glory of the empire shine through the world; for such is the way in which the Emperor intends to respond to the spirits of his ancestors.
‘Let all the Samurais and people of the different counties[1] know this, and make them devote their mind and energy to the cause of the country.
‘Public deliberation will decide as to which points in the treaties signed by the Shogun Government are not in the interests of the nation, and proceed to their early revision. Moreover, the intercourse with foreign Governments and peoples shall be conducted according to the public law of nations.’
The northern provinces being in open revolt now, Lord Higashikuje sent letters to the foreign Ministers on the 21st of January, and desired that their Governments should assume an impartial position during the present trouble, not allowing their subjects to aid the insurgent forces by transporting their soldiers, supplying them with ships, ammunition, etc. On the 25th the five Ministers announced the intention of their Governments to remain neutral, and called back the French officers that were fighting on the side of the Tokugawa forces.
On the 14th of February took place the first interview between the members of the new Board of Foreign Affairs and the foreign Ministers, and Lord Higashikuje, Chief of the Board, communicated to them verbally that the policy to be pursued by the new Imperial Government was to establish the intercourse between Japan and the foreign Powers on a firmer and broader basis than before. He then announced,
- ↑ At this time the provinces were still governed by the Daimyos, or feudal lords.