Shimonoseki

a town of Japan cammanding the straits leading from the inland sea to the Sea of Japan. June 25, 1863, the American steamer ** Pembroke ’’ was fired upon by the Japanese for attempting to enter the straits, which had been ordered closed by the Mikado. July 16, the United States ship ‘‘ Wyoming ”? destroyed two ve els and attacked the batteries in retaliation. September 5, 1564, a combined squadron of American, British, French and Dutch ships attacked the forts and destroyed them. The Mikado was forced to pay an immense indemnity to each nation, the United States receiving $785,000. This sum, vastly beyond the real damage, was paid 1864-1874. In 1883 it was returned to Japan, but without the interest.