252 6.46 Western Influence on Kitakata, Fukushima And Then Japan. (2/2)
”Good morning everyone, thank you for coming and also to welcome our distinguished guests, the delegates of the United States here. On my right here is Tokugawa Iemochi, the 14th Shogun the made the Emperor just a figurehead, and in my left is my advisor, Hiko Seijuro and like myself, I am Himura Kenshin, The Mayor of this New Kitakata Town and Governor of Fukushima.”
”On my right, we have the 4 Executive Committee members who were made up of Hiko Seijuro's disbanded samurai expedition team, Hide-sama, Toshi-sama, Kami-sama and Miroku-sama. Once again, we welcome you to New Kitakata Town and since we have our distinguished guests here, let them start by making their speech.”
I spread my hands at the delegates and Townsend Harris stood up and bowed before them and began addressing the other Mayors in front of him.
”Good morning everyone, my name is Townsend Harris and I am a delegate for the United States. Even as I had been appointed as the Minister Residence of Japan early last year, things had no been in place yet since I have yet to learn the Japanese language. We are here to set up a treaty and agreement with the five ports that our predecessors had landed beforehand.”
”Please forgive me for barging in, your means of the treaty that you bring forth, would be one-sided right? Aren't you afraid of the repercussions that it might bring about this treaty if yours? Japan had been closing its doors to have any trade relationships except with the Dutch, and now presently with South Korea, China and Russia. Why would the United States benefit with the forceful underhanded methods of gaining influence here in Japan?” I asked Townsend Harris as I interrupted his intentions when he spoke about the treaty.
”Let me take a look at the treaty and I would omit those are irrelevant and changes would be made before I would let His Majesty acknowledge any of these documents.” I asked in question since the treaty would likely be 'enforced' and leaving no leeway for any party to actually omit in the future.” It is now or never, Sam Mulder... Its time to change and make changes...!” I thought aloud as an American in a Japanese body right now would definitely have its advantages.
A piece of parchment was produced before me and I unfurled the document and spread it out on the table while Hiko-sama peered and know nuts on it and even Tokugawa Iemochi was scratching his head while reading the so-called 'one-sided treaty' made by the consul of the United States.
”That's all to it? There's only what you've wanted in this agreement and none whatsoever for the Japanese to counter any of it. It's really one-sided and frankly only I can read English, besides the two twins that you had met earlier. The rest all reads and writes Japanese. How do you expect to explain these to the People of Japan? Do you think your judicial law is fair? It's bloody one-sided, old chap...!”
”Errr... This is what I thought best and I assume it the best between the two countries.”
Replied Townsend Harris weakly since he knew the document was one-sided and in a way to force the people of Japan to submit to the demands of the United States.
”Kami-sama, could you explain the meaning of 'assume' so that everyone understands fully what it means, please... Thank you.”
”It is a known fact to ask questions and making queries before embarking on a project or mission. This would prevent making an ass out of you and me. Get it?” Kami-sama interpreted the exact same verse I had used months ago and the memories seemed etched in his mind.
Everyone laughed except for the delegates from the United States, Mr Townsend Harris.