Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-19
CHINA AND JAPAN.
Arrival of the City Of Picking -Hongkong
and Yokohama Advices.
PHOTOGRAPHED FROM SAN rRANcIsco.l

| PHOTOGRAPHED FROM SAN FRANCISCO.
| SAN FRANcIsco, April 1Sth.-The steam
! ship City of Picking arrived this evening from
China and Japan, bril1ing the following adj
vices:
HoSGKoNG, March 23l.
|, The case of Chung How now seems serious though
many Chinese of high sta ion express a disbelief
that the sentence of death will be carried out. No
satisfactory clue to the mystery of the procee ings
The best attanable evidence indicates that General
Tso the prime mover in the recent events. 1t
is now certain that Likungl bang unacquainted
with Chung'S impending disgrace until the latter
had nearly reached Pekin. Likung was preparing
congratulatory demonstrations when the ews OF
Chungs downfall reached him. Since then tide of
hostility has set in too strong for any yiceroy to
withstand
Tseung To Yamen affects to believe that no cause
of offense was given to Russia, and intimates be-
lief that Tsung, now i'll England and newly APP
pointed to st. Petersburg, will remove all difficulty.
All advances are coldly met by the Russian repre-
sentative at Pekn, who is in constant and business
communication with the home Government. Mes
sengers are leaving daily for Kiachta, from which
frontier post the telegraph starts.
1t is noteworthy that Kwong, late Envoy to Eng
land and France, who showed strong pro+foreign
feelings, is kept in retirement, while the Envoy
to Berlin, VIGOROUSLY antforeign is in high favor
Apprehension is frequently expressed that the
foreigners in Pekin will be sacrificed in sudden
an idea.
The question of Chinese in America appears en-
tirely swept aside by the more important European
complications.
Rumors prevailed in the northern ports not long
since that if Chinese subjects unjustly treated
in San Francisco, the Pekin authorities would order
seizure of American residents as hostages. All
reports this topic have now ceased. In any event
there is no probability OF violation of American
treaty rights here, whatever outrages attempted
in California.
War preparations continue on all sides. Heavy
purchases of munit ons OF war are being made
hurried drilling of troops prevails. reorsaniza-
ton of the navy noticed Trade is affected by the
uncertainty of the prospects.
1t is reported that the King of Siam proposes to
visit Hongkong, China, and possibly Japan.
A ridiculous story is told that Chung How married
a Russian lady while in Europe, hence his persecu-
ton.
There is concentration of foreign ships at
Tien-tsin to await developments in the Chung How
case.
The United States flagship Richmond, with Ad-
miral Patterson, has left Hongkong en- route for
summer sojeurn in Japan.
Miss Lai sun, Chinese lady educated in America,
daughter of Tien-tsin official has been married to
Captain Anderson, of the Chinese gunbOat Kwash-
ing. The ceremony was performed at Shanghai by
the Dean of the English Cathedral.
The recent redistribution OF Government
offices requires further explanation. Upon
the restoration of the imperial rule in 1868
the number of irstclass statesmen belonging to the
new party was very limited Consequently the
members of the Privy Council, called Sangi, under
took also the subordinate duties of heads of depart
ments. The project has been under consideration
for many years of contidiDg the departments to
fresh men, and leaving the Sangis unburdened with
any functiors except these of general admin
istration. Circumstances prevented the
cution OF this plan until February last
Now the Ssngis, with two exceptions,
devote themselves chiefly 10 the broad conduct OF
national affairs. They may, however, and in some
cases do give supervisory attention to the depart
ments with which they were formerly associated
This is especially the case OF Okuma, late Minister
OF Finance, Ito, eXMnister OF the Interior, Saigo
and Kawamura, War aud Navy The two exceptions
mentioned Inouye and Kuroda, who retain the
Foreign Office and Colonies. The former cannot
leave his post until the negotiations now progress
Ing terminate. The latter remains because the
Colonial Department will soon be abolished and no
appointment of a successor is desirable. The new
chiefs OF the departments are mostly men of dis
tinction, but hold no rank comparable to the Sang
The Governments policy remains unchanged in
every particular. Chronic agitators, consisting Of
small bodies OF Samurai, the former military Glass;
took advantage Of the recent reorganization to cir
culate reports of great radical reforms, procaiming
that the Emperor had declared himself favorable 10
an immediate parliamentary system This is totally
untrue. The Emperor and Ministers are steadily
working toward the fulilment OF the constitutional
reforms promised by the speech from the throne,
but there is Io intention of sanetioning a popular
legislature until there is large diffusion of educa
ton and growth of experience To this end schools
have been multiplied everywhere and local suffrage
assemblies established throughout the Empire, to
familiariZe the people with parliamentary meth DIS
but there likelihood Of representative Govern
ment for several years. The experiment would in
wife anarchy, as the best informed among the COM
munity frankly admit The only demand for such
extreme prog comes from irresponsible parties,
who have no interests at stake either way.
The threatened distribution of sedtious docu
ments on a large scale, recitng the disappointment
of lpmapOp1ieS and calling mob demonstrations.
compels the Government TO issue reu family new
precautionary order to printers and publishers At
the same time arrangements have been made for an
augmentation OF school facilities and the ln-
creased development Of political capacity Of the
populace In the discussions OF this question
in high quarters there is frequent reference to and
much reliance placed on Grants opinions expressed
in an interview with the Mikado in August, t the
effect that while representative institutions form
the true object OF government endeavors great care
is necessary to avoid precipitation as an overhasty
step once taken is irretrlevable
The report is current mot fully suhstantiated)
that Samesima, Envoy TO France, presently returns
to take control of the Department of Foreign
Affairs. ia that event Shioda, former sub Commits
stone to Russia, goes to France. faninglwara
member oil the ancient kiOto nobility, or huge, VIII
be appointed to Russia and Sweden. be was once
Envcy to China, later an officer OF GeDro In, or
Consultative Senate. Nabesim, the new Envoy 10
italy, is member of q comparatively modern order
OF nobility, or DaimO 1t Is noticeable that several
recent neutrality-suspicious. have been conferred
on Young noblemen.
superb plot OF ground offered free gift
to the United States for the Legation. It is one of
the finest sites in the Capital, but declined with
thanks
Trade increases between Japan and Corea. The
new Corean port OF Gensan Is visited every two
months by japanese commercial steamer.
A Legation will be sent this summer to the Corean
capital.
The horse presented by General Grant to the
MIkado excites admiration by its beauty and splen
did action. The horses purchased for the Govern
ment from Washington also arrived safe, and are
warmly commended.
The Emperor is preparing for a journey to the
central and some of the southern provinces. He
will pass some days in the old palace at kiOta.
Japanese trade Commissioners have been ap-
pointed to visit Persia, with view of opening COM
mercial communications.