The herald., 1895-08-12

Chinese court was distinguished by de-
parture from conventional precedents
which excites much comment ih dlplo-
matic circes the Chinese cling tenac-
iously to punctilious observances. espec-
tally those which guard the throne
sacredness, and methods OF approach to
the person OF the sovereign are regulated
and enforced with unvarying strictness.
The emperor holds audiences seated on
platform to which he ascends by a set
of stems intended for his exclusive use.
When credentials have hitherto been
presented they have been taken to him
by side staircases, at the right or lett OF
the central flight. For long time foreign
ministers in Pekin have claimed that
since these documents proceed originally
from the rulers of their respective
nations, they should have the privilege
of passing over the imperial stairway,
hut no attention has been paid to .heir
pleas. Mr. Hayashi, however. had been
admonlshed by his government TO INSIST
upon every mark of respect TO when MS
position entitled him, and to SUBMIT 10
no slight however trivial it might ap-
pear, for the reason that forms wnlch
are elsewhere considered insignificant are
often magnifed to vast Importance In
China. lie therefore expressed strohg
desire that his credentials should DC con-
yeyed to the emperor by the route re-
served for his majesty, and after some
demur his request was granted, rather TO
the surprise of his European and Amerl-
can colleagues. The audience took place
on July 7th. and after appropriate ad-
desses were delivered the ENJOYS docu-
ments were received by Prince kung. pre-
sident Of the, tsupg Ii yamen. and car
ried up the central steps to the throne.
Mr.. Mayashps speech on the occasion
was as follows
His majesty the emperor OF Japan,
rejoicing sincerely at the restoration OF
peaceful relations, has been pleased to
accredt me as his representative at your
maiesty's court. | beg permission to ex-
press the sense of honor l enjoy at being
granted this audience and given the op-
portunity of presenting my credentials.
1t is nv profound hope that hereafter the
amicah hle intercourse of the two empires
may become more and more intimate,
and that | may long be favored with your
majesty's consideration. pray tuat
your majesty may be blessed with long
life and prosperous reign
The reply was brief and to this erect:
1.-The war is ended and peace is re-
established. [ am happy to receive you.
Two countries, separated only by mar
row stiip of wafer, should always main
tain terms of friendship.
A storm of extraordinary severity VS.
tied South Japan on July 25th, causing
great loss of life and destroying property
OF immense value. Many calamities were
reported, the most serious OF which was
the overthrow of a railway train bring ng
disabled soldiers from Hiroshima to the
north for hospital treatment. The force
of the tempest was such that thirteen
cars, together with the engine, were
blown from a causeway into Il deep inlet
of an inland sea. 1t is staten that 100
passengers were killed or fatally injured,
but hopes are entertained that these first
accounts may prove to bs exaggerated.
corps of surgeons was dispatched from
Hiroshima to the scene bv the emperor S
order, and 800 yen were sent by the EN-
press to relieve the immediate wants of
the sufferers.
Plans for an international exposition
are now under consideration oy Japanese
capitalists. and sthere is a prospect that
the scheme may be discussed in the COM
ing session of the diet. The site suggest
ed is in Toxic, at the mouth OF the Sum
IDA river and the first or second year of
the twentieth century is indicated as the
earliest practicable time.