The record-union., 1895-05-31

is being carried on by the fleet of the
Japanese now supposed to be at sea in the
vicinity of Tamasui.
TRUE CONDITION OF AFFAIRS.
VICTORIA (B. c., May 30.-The steam
ship Victoria arrived from the Orient to-
day bringing the following correspond
ence of the Associated Press under date
of Toxic. May 18th:
An imperial proclamation dated May
10th, and not published till May 18th. at
last gives the people of Japan an insight
into the true position of affairs, and en-
ebles them to open Investigations on
their own account, the eagerness and
energy OF which will presently bring all
hidden facts to light. Criticism can never
be directed against an edict issued in the
sovereign's name, but events which the
document records may be considered
apart from the recital in particular form
and will be discussed with view To
sscertaInlng the exact RESPONSE bility of
the leading Ministers OF State and with
the purpose OF holding them to strict ac-
count for occurrences which are pro-
nounced dishonorable to the dignity and
prestige of the nation. There eau be no
mistaking the depth of the intensity of
the popular feeling. The angry excite
ment OF the multitude recalls the ex-
perience of six years ago. when the
nation showed for the first time in its
modern history what it was capable of in
an excess of blind passion.
In the summer OF 1889 Count Okunla as
Minister of Foreign Affairs, was the idol
OF the community. He was supposed to
have settled the veXed question of treaty
revision on terms advantageous to the
Empire, and was honored accordingly.
In the autumn OF the same year his coun-
Jrymen fancied that they had detected
flaw in his negotiations by which the ma
tlonal independence was endangered, and
they turned upon him with such fury as
TO overthrow his administration. While
the agitation was at Its hight Count
Okuma was attacked by an assassin of
the stamp of the fanatic who shot Ii
Hung Chang. and was crippled for life.
Yet the accusation then leveled against
the Ministry of which Okuma was the
leading spirit was nothing compared
with the arraignment which awaits Count
Ito's Cabinet. The ground of otfense in
Okuma's case was that he proposed to in
troduce foreign judges for a limited
period into the highest Japanese tribu-
nails. Ito will be charged with treachery,
cowardice and connivance in the disgrace
of the Empire. His manifold services TO
the State. and his industrious labors
throughout the war will be wholly lost
sight OF, and nothing remembered but his
failure to assert the territorial claims of
Japan in defiance OF the peremptory COM
mands OF the three great European
powers.
The conclusion drawn by all who know
the condition of affairs is that, Inasmuch
as the Administration Of 1889 was thrown
out in consequence OF an indscretion
which the people exaggerated into Il
crime, the present ministry is a hundred
times more doomed, since the allegations
will. i'll this case, be infinitely harsher
and severer. Ii is the expectation of the
whole official class that the Prime Minis
ter will resign his Office before the vari-
Gus political organizations have time TO
consolidate against him.
The recognition by Intelligent men of
the power of the people to shape the
destinies of the Administration is one
of the most singular social develop
mentS of modern Japan. Fifty years ago
the country was ruled by an aristocracy
which took no more heed OF the populace
than if the latter had been animals.
Twenty-Five years ago, when the control
of the Government passed into the hands
OF an oligarcy-of whom Count Ito soon
rose TO be one-the masses were still con-
sidered as having no voice in the state.
But the attempt to Introduce democratic
institutions has been followed by results
which advocates of the constitutional
system never anticipated. The people
have not only taken what was offered
them. but have grasped al infinitely more,
until now, in extremity, they lind them
selves endowed with strength to destroy
ministries, if such is their pleasure
1t always has been said by a certain
number of conservatives that the en-
croachments of the multitude could be
kept in check by firm and resolute
Government, but since the establishment
of Parliament no Cabinet has ventured to
81. L., ~ g. VI,
present Cabinet is least OF all likely TO
take so vigorous stand.
1t does not now appear that the aban
donment of the Manchuria territory will
be lamented by the Japanese for any
length of time. After the first 1T OF irri-
tation is over they Will probably realize
that the possession Of Shing king prov
ince would have been q pecunlary bur-
den and the cause of permanent anxiety.
What they cannot forgive is the alleged
negligence of the Government in failing
80 ascertain IN advance whether the ac-
QUESTION could or could not be retained.
They entirely overlook the efforts which
unq aestionably We're made TO elicit the
!, views of European powers, because these
efforts were unsuccessful. They further
more aver that the Ministry failed to
maintain the dignity of the nation
throughout the negotiations with Russia,
France and Germany. first by yielding
prematurely when much might have
been gained by prolonged diplomatic en-
deavors to better the situation; next, by
rendering a proposal which was sure to
be rejected by the league, and which had
to be followed by additional humiliation,
and finally by accepting defeat without
striving TO secure alternative advantages
that should compensate for the inevitable
sacrifice.
The fact that they are as yet totally ig-
norant of the circumstances under which
the Ministers were constrained to act,
does not in the least deter the angry
critics from iavishing invectives upon
everyone supposed TO be accountable for
what they call the betrayal of the nation.
One of their bitterest grounds OF COM
plant, indeed, is the ignorance in which
they were kept from beginning 10 end. 1t
is quite true that very extreme measures
were adopted to prevent the dissemina-
ton of news by the press. During the
period of mystery no less than forty-tive
Journals were suspended for attempting
to throw light on the forbidden subject.
Some of these were friendly to the Adj
ministratIon, and one was an official or
gan. The authorities declare that but for
these precautions disorderly parts OF the
community might have been melted TO
reckless demonstrations and acts OF vio-
lence against prominent representatives
of the three allied countries. ard that it
was their duty TO use every agency at
their command to prevent dangers OF this
description. Theirs Is 10 denying that
many of the newspapers In Japan can
nut in sny amount of mischief II allowed
to have their way.
The Government Is evidently In earn
est in its determination to insure the
safety of forelgners, not only those VINO
may be objects of popular dislike, out
fno of q