JAPAN-HARI-KARI, A MILLTARY OFFICER.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 349, 12 September 1868, Page 7

JAPAN-HARI-KARI, A MILLTARY OFFICER.

(From the 2f. Y Herald Correspondence:) United States Steamer Oneida, Hiogo, Japan, March 23,1868. At about eleven o'clock p.m. on the night of the 2nd of March, the execution of the native officer Ikidd Ise, Keral-no-Keral, or secretary of the .Prince of Bizen took place inside the

Japanese temple, a' plain and unpretending building, situated on the main street of Hiogo. This was in expiation for the fiendish crime -committed by him at''the same place oil the 4th of February last, in ordering his troops to fire without provocation, on all foreigners and the consular flags and buildings, some of our men being severely wounded on that occasion by the troops of the clan under his command. There were present only seven Japanese dignitaries and officials and a select party of an equal number of foreign ministers, consuls, and officers to witness the execution.

The culprit was a tall, fine looking man, of aboutjthirty years of age and some one hundred and ninety pounds in weight. He had urgently solicited intercession and a reprieve, but without avail, ahd now seemed quite stoical *as to his fate, evincing neither want of nerve nor resolution.

The temple exhibited some Buddhist idols, and was lighted up by suspended lamps and altar lights ; the floor was carpeted with green cloth, and near the altar stood a table having cutting instruments. At the foot of this a white cloth was spread, and at a little distance a red one ; subsequent events proved the latter to be the atonement.

On entering the building Ikidd Ise wore the white winged dress called Kami-sho-mo, on which was embroidered in colored silk, between the shoulders, the device of his rank and clan; this is universal here. On taking his position before the altar and looking round, he bowed low, in the customary style, to the Japanese authorities present, and afterwards to the foreign representatives. He then spoke a few words endeavouring to palliate his crime, candidly confessing he gave the orders to fire; also explanatory of his rank and position He said he knew he was to die, and asked if they wished to question him, and if they were satisfied ? To which no response was given. He subsequently engaged himself for a few moments in devotion with his minister, and on being spoken to by the executioner—an office here devolving on the nearest of kin to the sufferer—he signified his readiness for the consummation; He was now handed the short sword of honour, at the same time presenting his own to the executioner. He then intrepidly stepped upon the red cloth, sword in hand, gradually bowing, forward his head for the stroke, and suddenly plunging the sword in his side and sweeping it across the abdomen the act eliciting an agonized "augh!" from him. Instantly the executioner, with one sweep of the culprit's sword, severed the head from the body, the blood spirting up toward the ceiling for a height of about six feet, while the head rolled on the carpet and the body careened over. This self-inflicted wound is to save caste. There were a few muscular twitchings and quiverings, then the body was carried away by two officials, and justice stood vindicated. From the culprit's entrance to the fulfilment of the sentence a space of not more than ten minutes had elapsed. This peace offering of retributive justice, which to a certain extent the stability and accountability of the present rulers, and which, I trust, is the last such event to chronicle, was kept extremely quiet to prevent any excitement. The decisive and defensive measures of occupation taken; and the firm and unyielding attitude assumed, has brought this bold and reckless offender to a condign punishment by the Japanese authorities.

The brave conduct of a Catholic priest at the storming of Te Ngatu-o-te-Manu, is thus recorded by the "Wanganui Times ":—" Through the rapid river, waist deep along the weary forest track, across ominous looking clearings, where at any moment a volley from an ambush could have swept our ranks, Father Eoland marched cheerfully and manfully, ever ready with a kind word, a playful sentence to any man who passed him. And when at last in the clearings of Te Ngatu-o-te-Manu the storm of bullets burst upon us, he did not wait in the rear for men being brought to him, but ran with the rest of us forward against the enemy's position. So soon as any man dropped, he was by his side ; he did not ask are you Catholic or Protestant, but kneeling prayed for his * last words.' Thrice noble conduct, in a century of utilitarian tendencies. What Catholic, on that expedition, could have felt fear when he saw Father Eoland by his side, smiling at death, a living personification, a fulfilmentof many a text preached ; what Catholic could have but felt proud to be a Catholic on that day, on Father Eoland's account."