Evening star., 1896-03-16
JAPAN REACHING OUT
Proposal to Establish Steamship Line to
This Country.
Fine Steamships to Cross the Pacific
War Vessels to BE Built Here
-COrean Affairs.

Evidences Of great activity, political and
commercial. In the affairs of Japan China
and the countrie, of the far east come to
the legations here. AS a. result of Japan's
prosperity, brought about by the successes
in the war with China. that country has
not only determined to largely augment her
navy, but also to establish commercial
steamship lines connecting the United
States with Japan. The Japan Steam Navi-
CATION Company is preparing to enter this
new field. ruL ming between San Francisco
and Yokohama, in competition with the Pa
cifc Mail and the Oriental and Occidental
lines. now controlling this trade. An i'm
portant cor rsideration in projecting the new
Japanese line has been that of railway con-
nectiOn east from San Francisco. but in the
event Of determination of the Pacific rail-
ways not to give the same rates those
given to the old steamship lines. which are
branches Of the railways, 1t is said the
japanese company, supported by ample
subsidies from the Japanese government,
Will be prepared to run at loss in order to
establish foothold. New steamers are to
be built, and the represen tative of the COM
pany has recently passed through Washing
ton on his way to contract for the ships.
two of which probably will be built in this
country and two in England. They will be
of 5000 to 5000 tons burden and of a speed
several kncts greater than the ships now in
the Pacific service.
To he Built Here.
There appears to be little further doubt
that two Of Japan's new warships will be
built In the United States. and, although the
contracts have not been let. the indications
are that the Cramps Of Philadelphia will
build one and the Union iron works of San
Francisco the other. The Japanese parlia-
ment has passed the naval appropriation
bill. giving $2O.OOO.0OO for the single item of
new warships AS this will cover only the
first years payments, the aggregate expen-
diture on the increased navy promises to be
very large during the several years that the
vessels are under construction.
Representatives of the American ship
thus marking new departure in the
American builders seeking to place their
ships abroad. Heretofore the Armstrong;
and other large English ship builders have
eign capitals. The Japanese cabinet is
strongly favorable to the American build
ers. although the Japanese naval officers,
having been trained in English schools,
favor the English builders.
Troubles In Corea.
Events in Corea have caused intense ex-
citement in Japan Of late, so much so that
the emperor prorogued parliament in order
to allow the popular feeling to subside
The condition in Corea Is critical, and may
bring serious results at any time. The
king continues to occupy quarters at the
Russian legation at Seoul, on the plea that
his life is in danger. A sensational climax
came recently when a mob representing
the element favorable to the king seized
two of the cabinet ministers thought to
favor the Japanese and chopped off their
heads: At the same time three japanese
were killed, one Of them, a Japanese ped
dler. being literally torn limb from limb
These atrocities have caused intense indig-
nation in Japan. as the popular belief pre-
vailed that the Russian authorities in Co
rea had some part in the demonstration
The Japanese government is determined
not to be drawn into an intrigue or con-
test over Corea, as there is sincere desire
to see Corea Independent and free from
foreign domination. But Japan will pro-
tect her people. and If any overt act oc-
ours rejecting on the dignity of the coun-
try. there will be prompt and forcible ac-
tion by japan. 1t is believed Japan al.
ready has demanded indemnity for the out
RACES at Seoul. but the possibilities Of a
crisis have been most important as affect
ing Russia and Japan, rather than Japan
and the little middle kingdom.