The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-20
GAG LAW In JAPAN.
Opposition Leaders Not Allow
ed to Attack Ito.
POLICE BREAK UP A MEETING.
Indignation In Tokyo Over Suppression
Of Free spcech-China to Pay for
Hunting Missionaries.

Tokyo. July 2.-tPer Steamer Esksale
10 Victoria. July 1s.)-The largest mass
meeting ever convened in TOKYO was
called together June -, at which more
than twenty prominent leaders of the
parties opposed 10 Count Ito's ministry
were expected TO make speeches. From
the beginning, however Il was evident
that no expression OF Opinion adverse 10
the government would be tolerated. No
speaker was allowed TO touch upon the
SUBJECT or the recent negotiations with
Russia, Germany and France. Thirteen
orators in succession were silenced by
the police before they had occupied the
Platform Tor five minutes. Some Of them
endeayored TO accomplish the desired ef-
feet by giving extracts from works on
International law, the application OF
"nicn was obvious, but this device was
summary checked as soon as detected
one distinguished member of parliament
proposed TO confine himself TO the read
ing or fmpe-ial DEGREES and other state
papers, but when Ii was found that the
documents related exclusively to the ces-
sion and retrocession of Manchurian ter
ritory he was ordered to desist, like his
predecessors The audience became i'm
patient al this extreme measure of re-
preston. and presently broke into wild
denunciat.ons OF police tyranny. For a
time the excitement was uncontrollable
bat the danger had been foreseen, and AZ
the most critical moment a large body
of gendarmes entered the hail. evident
ly prepared TO use force II necessary In
subduing the agitation. II was then
decided to dissolve the meeting. as moth
ing could be gained by further persist
ence.
The determination OF the authorities to
prevent public criticism OF every descrip-
ton is causing deep anxiety among the
moderate and law-abiding classes OF the
community. Since the adoption of the con-
stitutional form OF government. no ad-
ministrat.oa has ever before gone TO such
extremities in lettering the speech and
thoughts of the people. Count Ito I'M
douotedly believes that his arbitrary
course will be approved by the major
ity OF his countrymen. but there are
ominous signs that he is gradually los
ing the confidence OF those whose sup
port is indispensable to his tenure OF
office.
The emperor Of Japan gave audience to
the ministers and secretaries Of foreign
legations June %, and received from each
envoy a congratula tory address. 10
which an appropriate reply was made.
Count Matsugata has withdrawn his res
ignation as japanese minister OF finance.
and will continue TO cooperate with the
present cabinet.
Representatives of France. America and
England at Peking are demanding repair
alton for the Entertainment OF missionaries
and destruction of foreign property in the
province of Szechuan with a vigor which
starties the Chinese government. Liberal
offers of pecunaary compensation are ten
dered but these will not be considered un-
til after the fnstigators of the outrages
are held to account and duly punished
Such promptness and energy as now DIS
played by diplomatic agents has never
before been brought to bear upon the
m. to, n 1sx-I 10
pan is bearing fruit. and the Chinese rulers
will find hereafter that the delays ard
evasions OF past years must be discard ed.
Ships of war OF three nations concerned
are hurrying TO the districts where their
protection Is needed. and squadron OF
French vessels is charged with the duty
OF exacting atonement by severeSt meth
DDS in ca the demands of the envoy ere
not Immediately complied with. The GEN.
trail government Is bewildered and fright
ened but shows that tt recognizes the
emergency by dispatching a new viceroy
in haste TO take the place OF the official
who provoked the riots. No direct intellt-
gence from the members OF the miSS1 0ns
Mt Chengtu have been received. The
Americans. however are believed TO be in
safety, and there Is no evidence that any
lives have been lost.
The JaDanese government has learned
that its legation in Picking is unfit for &C.
cupancy by the new envoy. Mr.. Hayashi
The buileng was sacked by a mob soon
after war was declared last year. and
has been allowed 10 go TO ruin. When
the Chinese representative arrives in
Tokyo he will find his quarters in thor
ough preservation. and probably in moro
cleanly and wholesome condition than they
ever were when inhabited by his prede-
cessors in office.
The usual monthly change OF admins
tration In Korea took place June r. The
prime minister resigned. with several COL
leagues. having quarreled with the king
on some petty detail of punctilio. The
guard of marines al the United States le-
o,atsor, in Ceoul was Withdrawn June 10