Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-11-02
CHINESE AND JAPANESE
NEWS.
The Mikado Seriously lII--cattIe
Plague and Floods.
Diplomatic GOssIp-COpyiug At
ter American Manners.

/
San Francisco. CAL. per steamer Oceanic.
YOKOHAMA, October 1.-THE Mi.
kadois confined at his residence suff
ering severely from peculiar disease
called kakke.
The cattle plague is alarminRly
prevalentiR the southwestern prov
inces. Heavy foods in the central
provinces have caused great loss of
life and property. Small villages were
swept entirely away and thousands of
persons are reported drowned.
Reports that the Japanese are lob
bying with respect to the Simaneosha
indemnity fund, was received with
great indignation by higher govern
ment officials. Few foreigners are
acquainted with the character of
the late envoy at Washington. 1t
is believed such practices are possible
under his authority. A report
was freely circulated in Tokay
among native officers and for
elgners that the recent appoint
ment of an American to the le
cation at Washington was due chiefly
to the belief impressed upon the
Japanese government that this gen.
tleman possessed peculiar abilities
requisite for Immediately securing the
long withheld,fund. The attitude Of the
present government on this question
is not so dignifed as that of the Min.
istry few years ago. The Ministry
has become little better than a body
OF rival politicians; several factions
struggling for supremacy to the neglect
OF public business, and finances are
staggering. Since the government
sent from the Cabinet the best treas.
ury manager the country has ever
produced, currency is at discount Of
60 per cent, with no systematic effort
to restore it. Several national banks
have failed under disgraceful c;rcum
stances,and the whole banking system
is under popular suspicion also many
of the great departments, who held
their places through political agencies
The Postofiice Department, for years
one Of the finest successes in the
country, years ago was put under one
set Of scrambling politicians, and al
ready there are reports from all quar-.
ters of the expenditures exceeding the
income.
1t is reported that the Navy Depart
ment has petitioned for $4,000, 900 to
purchase new ships of war. The
money could not be raised without an
enormous sacrifice, but something will
probably be done with the empty
treasury, disordered finances, discon.
tented community and inefficient gov
ernmeHt. If Japan continues in this
course of extravaganza it is calcu-
lated to justify the most anxious
forebodings of Japan's management
Of Corean business. The most excel
lent ambassador dispatched from that
country to tender apologies to the
Mikado arrived in Tokeo October l3.
Everything was done to relieve him
from embarrassment. The japanese
will strive to obliterate all recollection
Of the late hostility.
A feet Of ships, engaged in seal and
other hunting, in fragrant violation OF
Japanese rights, and reg rded with in
dignation by the Japanese authorities
who, however, take no steps to pre-
vent it-has returned from the north.
No effective rcwonstrance is made, as
it is understou that most Of the ves-
sells concerned are American. No af-
front from strong power is resented
by Japan. i
Imperial Prince Kanin has started
for Europe, accompanied by his tutors
and a considerable number of young
noblemen,
Cholera is again decreasing.
The rice crop is very abundant, and
the price has fallen considerably.
HONG KoNG, October 1.-THE
United States Legation at Pekin has
received formal request from the Co. |
rean authorities to convey to the gov
ernment at Washington desire that
an American envoy be sent to Zeoul
1t is understood in diplomatic cir.
Cles that Ii Hang Chan will ask the
good offices Of the American Minister,
with view to the settlement OF the
Loo Choo dispute.
Considerable bodies of Chinese
troops are gathered along the Russian
boundary, and the building of arsenals
has commenced near Kirin. A Rus.
sian encroahment is apprehended.
A remarkable imperial edict has
been published, dealing with the case
of Tai In Kun, father of the Corean
King, and author of all the recent
mischief in that country. After re
citing we'll known facts, it states that
the future career Of Tai In Kun is to
be left to the judgment of Lii Hung
Chan and Chang Su Sheng, who have
decided that he shall be confined
during his whole life in the city.