The San Francisco call., 1896-06-06
Mooted Questions of Right That
Are Very Far From Proper
Settlement.
ANTI-FoRE1GN RIOTS IN CHINA
Celestials Who Grasp Every 0ppor
tunity to Show Their Hatred of
the White Race.


ment that Russia and Japan had arrived
at an entente with regard to the preserva-
tion of order in Korea proves to have been
premature. Pour-parlers have taken place
and are still taking place, but no definite
understanding has yet been reached. The
points under discussion are three: First,
the return of the King to his own palace,
his continued residence in the Russian
legation having become ridiculous side by
side with any pretense of Independent
sovereignty; secondly, the stationing of
foreign troops IN the Korean capital,
which question involves, of course, the
withdrawal or continued presence of one
or both Of the forces. Russian and Jap
anese, now quartered there; and thirdly,
the disposal of the line of telegraph be-
tween Seoul and Fusan.
As to the third point, 1t is to be noted
that the Seoul-Fusan telegraph was con.
structed by the Japanese at their own ex-
pense, and is acknowledged by Korea to be
absolutely their property. But the diff
Guilty is that whenever disorders occur in
the districts through which the line
passes the rioters make it their first bust
ness to cut the wires, and Japan is conse-
quently obliged TO station parties of gem
darmes or soldiers at intervals throughout
the whole distance. Were she in posi-
ton to institute thorough reforms of the
Korean administration the telegraph
would not demand such trksome and
costly protection: it might be left in
charge of local authorities. But that does
not seem possible at present, and the
problem is: Must Japanese troops remain
In Korea merely to guard the line of tele.
graph, or should the latter be placed
under Korean protection, with the Ger
tainty that no messages could be trans
mitted in times of crisis?
The general question of keeping Japan
ese and Russian troops in Seoul is equally
perplexing, for neither power can easily
consent to abandon the field to the other,
and while the pressure of both forces
might lead to omplicaions, the absence
OF both would imperiI the safety of the
foreign residents. The whole problem
presents difficulties exceedingly difficult
to dispose of.
The silk and tea producing districts of
of Japan have been visited by heavy frosts,
q most unprecedented phenomenon in the
month OF May, and the result is reported
teaplants to the extent of some 80 or 40
per cent of their average yield.
The Japanese Government has issued
an ordinance forbidding any Japanese sub
iect, other than officials or persons under
official orders, to visit Korea without
special permission. Competence to enact
urgency laws without reference to the
Diet is vested in the Mikado, provided
that the post-facto approval of the houses
be sought in their next session. A similar
ordinance was promulgated last year, but
after its provisions had been enforced tor
some months, it was rescinded owing to
the Diets refusal to indorse it. It's reissue
within two months of the Diets proroga-
ton has consequently caused some excite
ment, but the incident simply illustrates a
fact already clearly established, namely.
that the Japanese Diet sets the PRINCIPLES
of personal liberty above the exigencies of
practical craftsmanship. There are un-
dOubtedly evidences of renewed political
troubles In Korea at present. and if Jap
anese adventures were allowed to flock
thither without restraint, they would prob
ably help to foment disorder and might
gravely compromise Japan, whose great
object is 20 avoid all complications pend
ing a clear entente with Russia.
Hoshi yorU, the newly appointed Japan
ese representative to the g nited States, has
just made speech to his constituents, in
which the following words occur: "TAe
first country that showed herself ready to
grant Us a treaty on terms of equality in
lieu of the unequal treaty that had been in
operation since 1858 was the United States.
Thus that America has shown herself
eminently friendly to Japan is uuquestion-
able. 1t is further undeniable that she has
\ IL
will be my duty as Japanese representa-
tive in Washington to show to the Ameri-
cans the sentiments entertained by Japan
toward them
An Imperial Princess was born in Toxic
on May IL and has received the name of
Toshi-ko her title being Yasu-no- miya
The Emperor has now three daughters
and one son alive out of thirteen children,
four Princes and nine Princesses. His
Majesty Is in his 44th year.
The captain (HarrosswitZ) and doctor
of a German vessel, the HohenZolIern, be-
longing to the North German LLOYD Com
pany, were arrested in Hongkong on the
I'd Of May and charged with trespassing
on Stonecutters Island and taking photo
graphs of the forts. They were sentenced
at first to three months imprisonment
with hard labor, but ultimately the sem
tence. was commuted to a fine of 100 yen.
The people in Chengtu seem to have
been OF the verge of another anti.foreign
riot. A crazy man declared that he had
with mis- own eyes seen the missionaries
eating a child. OF course this wild state
ment was credited, and had not the magis-
trate speedily caused the man to be
brought to the Yamen, where proclama-
ton was made next day of his insanity, 1t
is very possible that grave trouble might
have arisen. Intelligence is also pub
lished of two travellers from Chungking
being stoned as they were attempting to
enter their boat in q market town under
the Chengtu jurisdiction.
They had to take refuge in a teashop,
where the mob kept them imprisoned for
three hours, but their unpleasant expert
ence was treated by the local officials as
mere Jest. 1t is believed that the positive
measures adopted in the sequel of the for
mer Szechuan disturbances were not sutfi-
ciently marked, as the only real suff rer
was the Viceroy, who had already become
universally unpopular.
Ii is reported from Korea that 5000 stand
of rifles together with large quantity of
ammunition, reached Seoul on May 8. The
arms are said to have, been previously in
use by Russian soldiers in Siberia. Korea
is again in a disturbed condition. Mobs
have assem- pled in various districts of two