Many of the people Horace Capron
brought with him to Japan made important contributions to
the country both during his stay and after. However, his
tenure in Japan was not without controversy. Some of his
Associates worked behind his back
in Japan and at home to discredit his efforts.
Articles appeared in both Japan and the US attacking his
work – and his personal competency. In 1872 an article in
The Nation quoted one Japanese-based American as saying
“...Mr. Capron...is regarded by the Government as almost
useless...”
These attacks wounded him greatly.
..The heartburnings arising
from a consciousness of great injustice done by those most
infamous of all fiends, who from the shades of civilized
society, stalk abroad in the shape of human beings, skulking
behind, misrepresenting—although not misunderstanding—your
every act and motive…to gain what they can through fraud and
misrepresentation.” Horace
Capron Japan Journal
At the same time, Capron found the
Japanese colonial government bureaucracy set in its ways,
slow, and bloated. Too often he felt they did not act on his
suggestions.
Yet Koruda Kiyotaka, head of the
colonial department and later Japanese Prime Minister, became
a close and trusted friend.
