The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-02
NEW CABINET IN ORDER,
Yamagata Requested to Select
the Next Set of
Officials.
TROOPS BEING WITHDRAWN.
When the Trouble Is Ouieted in
Formosa the Mikado Contem-
plates Many Changes.

TOXIC, JAPAN, May 19.-The popular ex-
pectation of ministerial changes in Japan
grows stronger every day. Although moth
ing has yet happened to prove that Count
Ito contemplates an immediate retirement,
his early disappearance from the political
stage is regarded as a certainty, and the at
tention of the official class is directed
chiefly to questions bearing on the success
sion.
Reports are received from Kioto that
Count Yamagata will be requested to form
cabinet, and that the position now held
by Viscount Mutsu will be rendered to Wis
count Aoki, the present Envoy to Germany,
or to Count Okuma.
As regards the heads of other depart
ments, no curiosity is displayed. Every
one feels that the interests of the nation
will for some time mainly depend upon
the management of foreign affairs and
that the selection of competent minister
for this branch of the administration is of
first Importance. Viscount Aoki has once
before had charge of the Foreign Office,
which he conducted prudently but with
out winning high distinction. He is by no
means considered the equal of Mutsu in
ability, but he would be content to serve
as the Prime Minister'S actual as well as
nominal subordinate, which would be es-
sential to the smooth working of any cab
met led by Yamagata. This, however,
could not be expected of Okuma, who is
one of the most powerful men, intellectu-
ally, in the country, and with whom no
member of the existing cabinet, except
Mutsu, can be at all compared.
If Okuma joins an administration he
MIL 1sItl Ia tfor xry11,
chief. 1t is not probable, therefore, that
he will take the foreign portfolio, unless a
Prime Minister is appointed who will &C
cept his guidance and carry on the Gov
eminent as he may direct. 1t is unfor-
tunate in the present condition of affairs
that Viscount Mutsu should be compelled
by any stress of circumstances to abandon
his post. His colleagues, one and all, may
retire without injury to the public service;
but his talents are especially fitted for the
duties which will soon devolve upon the
Foreign Minister, and his recent expert
ence gives him advantages in many re-
spects over even Okuma. In demanding
his Withdrawal, the needless populace will
deprive the state of one of the few servants
who are qualified to deal with the impend-
ing international complications.
The Emperor's return to Toxic is ex-
pected before the end of May. The Cabi-
net Ministers now absent will accompany
him. Until they are all back in the capital
no decisive movement will be made in any
direction.
The disturbed condition of Tormosa will,
perhaps, render it necessary for Governor
General Kabayama to carry thither larger
military force than was intended. The
Chinese troops on the island have risen
against The civil authorities and every gar
rison town is in a state of anarchy. Ad-
miral Freemantle has landed guards of
marines in the most dangerous districts
and ships OF war are on duty at the several
open ports. The Chinese commissioner ap-
pointed to transfer the island to the Japa-
nese has not yet started on his errand,
which is the cause of Kabawama's delay in
taking possession. Japan is already pre-
pairing for rapid communication with her
newly acquired territory. A cable is to be
laid Immediately at an estimated cost of
5000, 600 yen.
The greater part of the Japanese army
will return from China early in June.
Portions of the Second and Fourth Grand
divisions will remain on the Liao-Tung
Peninsula for garrison service, and
brigade of the Sixth Division will occupy
Liu Kung Island, in Wei-hai-wei har-
Dor. These troops are to retain the DO
sitions specified until China shall have
fulfilled the conditions of the treaty.
The Russian authorities announce that
torpedoes have been laid at Vladivostok,
and that vessels will be permitted to enter
the harbor only in the daytime and in
charge of pilots. As to whom the pre-
caution is directed against nothing is
known.