JAPANESE FANATICISM.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 433, 10 February 1875, Page 3

JAPANESE FANATICISM.

THE MUDDBRBE OP THE GERMAN CONSUL AT HAKODADI CONFESSES HIS CRIME.

' (From the "New York Herald.") Hakodi, Japan, Aug. 22, 1874.

I transmit herewith, a paper "given by ♦he murderer of Mr. L. Haber, German consul at this port, to the police at the time he delivered himaelf up to the authorities. Mr. Haber, as I suppose you are aware, was cut down by a Japanese of the Samurai class and literally chopped to pieces, receiving twentyrfive separate wounds. The assassin was neither drunk nor crazy, but committed the deed solely on account of his hatred of foreigners. The following translation may serve to show the feelings of these Samurai, who were retainers of the former princes and have been thrown out of employment and power by the introduction of the foreign element into the Empire. THfl MURDERER'S STATEMENT. I, the undersigned Minamoto-no-Asson Tazaki Hidechika, most respectfully and humbly beg to lay a statement before the gods mentioned below, though I feel it to be a fearful duty to express my thoughts upon this occasion. Kon-tai-dzin-ku two temples at E-se-no-kuni; Kasima Katori, Ekusutaidzn, three temples at Kanto ; Dai-kzu-kits-ki-no-muya, principal temple at K-zu-mo ; Daidzu, at the temple of my native country, Akita-ken, and my household god, and also Ten-dziti-cliike-yao-yaro-zuno-kami. Having learned a few volumes of Japanese history, aud, this very insufficiently, through an education which I received through the favour of To-dzu-waarno Tosisuki, Sinto priest, in my native country, of Akita-ken and a few others, it came to my knowledge that all things in this world are by the favor of the gods ; that the successor of his Majesty the Tenno reigns and governs at his throne the country of Japan very successfully, and the distinction of people as to their masters and servants is made aud the courses of conduct by which the people must be ruled are provided. On the evening of the day before yesterday one of the gods, Dzu-mu-Tenno (an ancient Emperor), who first laid the foundation stone of the Empire and settled at Toma-to-no-kvmi as the capital, appeared to me in a dream, and spoke as follows : — That the foreigners residing in this place (Hakodadi) are going on to take into consideration and to discuss upon the subject of the overthrow of the Tenno (Emperor) of our country ; therefore kill the thieves (both foreign and Japanese, who join with them in the conspiracy) immediately before they have the opportunity to do so." *

I respectfully desire toiaccept the gods' valuable command, which has filled my heart with joy though I consider it a task difficult to perform. If, in searching for the robbers, I come upon them, let me have good advice promptly and punish them, thus carrying out the wishes of the gods, by which our country may be distinguished from the rest of the world as an enlightened nation. If, in coming upon them, I fail to execute the commands of the gods, 1 hope that they will send down a great sickness upon me, and in leaving this world I herewith testify, speaking the truth and trust, that the gods may be an assistance and protection to me — Mtnamoto-no-Asson Tazaki HbDECHIKA. THE ALARM! OF THE FOREIGNERS ALLAYED. Several men-of-war have arrived in port, and foreigners do not apprehend any further trouble, though at one time it looked much as if there was a conspiracy to murder foreigners. The Japanese officials are pushing their inquiries to the utmost, and deserve great credit for the manner in which they have, conducted the examination.