The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-27

tined TO De realized.
With respect to the condition OF the
Chinese inhabitants. he expresses the
opinion that thsy are now batter off than
ever before in their ivs,, aud that they
will chesrfully testify to the fact.
Great surprise is expressed in official
circle9 that the frank and honorable
statement of the government respecting
the reports from Port Arthur should bo
interpreted by any one as an uncond.
tional endorsement of the extreme re-
orts first published.
JAPAN's PARLIAMENT.
The Japanese diet rs.sssembled on
January S,h. Ths speech OF Prime
Minister Count Ito WAS unusually
brief, dealing exclusively with the war
and its necessities. The two houses
were informed that no consideration
enterprises. the contest with China
demanding the undivided attention OF
the government. Ths budget for the
current year was presented, showing
an estimated revenue OF 90,300 900 ven.
and an estimated expenditure OF $780,
600 yen. Compared with tbs estimates
of last year, the increase in revenue Is
2255,0)0 yen and the increase in ex-
penditurss 500 900 yen. Very few OF
the actual disbursements, on account OF
the war, are yet taken into csl-
collation.. The budgets OF recent yearo
have encountered the most strsnuou,
opposition from the anti.govern msnt
faction in the house of representatives.,
not a single Qua having been passed,
Party hostility has bssn so violently
cessivs parliamsnt has bean found nsu-
essary before any practical public busi-
ness could be completed. The constisu-
tion provides that. under these circum-
stances. the income and expenditure
shall be regulated according to the
schedule last adopted, and for some
wears past tho finances of the empire
have been managed upon the basis
established when the parliament first
came into existencs. This year. how
sione will be buried in visw of the great
struggle in which the nation is engaged,
and that the bud get will be approved
with little or no debate.
TRADE STATISTICS.
An official statement of the foreign
trade of Japan in 1884 shows that the
exports amounted to ll3. .246,0 900 ven
and the imports 10 III. .4S2,0J0 yen. The
total increase over tbs preceding year
was So, ,258 900 yen The increase in ex-
ports is largely attributed to the decline
in silver, which affords unusual advan-
tages to foreign purchasers. The sales
OF tea amounted to more than 10000 900
ven, and the silk trade was correspond.
ingly augmented.
In 1898 the exports exceeded the inns
ports by nearly l, 100000 yen. In 1894
the imports exceeded the exports by
more than 1000 900 yen. The export OF
specie last year was 1879 900 yen the
import 26. .784 900 yen. In 1898 the OK
port was IL, 2s9 900 yen. the import H.
1856 900 yen. The unusual outflow OF
specie in 1894 is accounted for by the
purchase of merchant ships and war
material from abroad.
The custom duties in 1894 were
5 SSl, 900 yen, against 5000. 900 yen in
1894
The question of postponing the great
industrial exposition at Kioto is under
discussion by the press aud the mer.
camille community of Japan.
The Japanese government Is about
to establish consulates at Tacoma and
at Townsville in Australia.
THE LEAo TONG EXPEDITION.
Preparations for the projected expe.
dition from the LsAo Tong pc ninsula
are continued with activity. but no signs
of an Immediate departure are per.
ceivsd. 1t ia known that orders have
been given to strengthen still further
the force designed for this movement,
and the trans portation OF additional
troops from Japan is now in progress.
Tho conviction is general that Wei Hal
Wei will be the object OF attack, all
though the government allows no direct
indication OF its purpose to appear.
The possibility ia recognized, however,
that Lieutenant General Katsura's ne eds |
may require attentioa bsfors the
proposed aggressive enterprise is carried |
out. This officer remsins at Hal Cheng |
at the head OF the third division Of the |
Continued on second page.