The San Francisco call., 1896-03-28

are Ouered 1Or pubic SuDScIlptioAs, enS
rem aiming 25, 600, 900 worth of bonds being
taken by the Bank of japan. The mini
mum selling price of the bonds is to be
their face-value, and the rate OF interest
5 per cent, as before.
Contrary to expectation, the japanese
Diet has passed all the taxation measures
proposed by the Government for raising
the public revenue to a figure commen-
surate with the increased expenditures en-
tailed by the country's altered cIrcum-
stances. Having voted the budget, IN
which augmented expenditures are IN
cluded, it followed that the Diet must
consent to some means of increasing the
revenue correspondingly. But the means
contemplated by the Government evoked
much criticism, especially new registra-
ton law, imposing payments ON occasions
OF birth, death, marriage, succession, ana
so forth; a law raising the taxes on trades
and a law providing for an official monop-
oily of the sale of leaf tobacco. The special
committees of the House of Representa-
tiyes charged with the duty of examining
and reporting upon these measures de-
voted a long time to the task, and their
hesitation was construed as an indorse-
ment of the bills unpopularity. But they
finally reported in favorable sense and
the measures were passed with very triding
alterations.
The old question of freedom of the press
has again brought about a collision be-
tween the upper and lower houses OF the
Japanese Diet. Under the present law the
executive is empow cred to suspend jour
q
ground that its continued publication
would be detrimental to public peace or
morality. The lncriminated article or
articles need not be specially indicated.
Against this law majority in the lower
house has always demonstrated. Ihe
Government, on its side, was willing to
meet the House half way, but unwilling
to divest itself altogether of power
the occasional exercise of which appeared
absolutely essential in the present state OF
Japanese newspaper development. This
session the Cabinet introduced new
project of press law, in which the period
of suspension was limited to one week,
and it was provided that the Objectionable
matter must always be indicated. But
these concessions, though large, did not
They amended the new project in the
sense of abolishing the power of suspen-
sion altogether and they also introduced
various other liberal changes. When the
bills reached the Peers they rejected all
the amendments introduced by the Rep-
sentatiyes, and restored the law to the
form in which it had been presented by
the Government. Thus the uncompro-
missing attitude of the lower house i'm
pedes the progress of the reforms that 1t is
so anxious to effect.
A document purporting to be transla-
ton of secret treaty concluded some
months ago between Russia and China
has been published in Shanghai. 1t is
strange and scarcely credible agreement
China, in consideration of the Northern
powers good offices in backing her bills
upon France for paltry sum which Eng
land would have supplied unconditionafly,
and in combining with Germany and
Franeeto drive the japanese out of Lao
tung, places any or all of her harbors at
Russia disposal for belligerent purposes
and also permits Russia to secretly raise
levies, buy horses, and obtain coolies in
Chinese territory. These various priv
ileges, if challenged by another power, are
TO be ascrlbed to force majeure, China
pretexting inability to oppose Russia's
action. But, at the same time, China is to
enjoy the pleasure of openly attacking
Russia's enemies, should she SO desire.
Further, when the Siberian railway is fin
ished, Russia is to be at liberty to build a
branch line to Talien, on the northwest
coast of the Gulf of Pechili, or to any
other point she pleases, and will be al
lowed to occupy and fortify an island for
the better protection of the terminus of
the line. She also obtains leave to select
and entrench favorable positions on the
Chinese coast opposite Vladivostock and
to attack Korea via Manchuria, should
difficulties arise with Japan about the
peninsula. Per contra, Russia promises to
use persuasion, or force If necessary,
against any power attacking China; to
lend several hundreds of officers for the
drilling OF 100000 Chinese troops in Man
churia and subsequently in the five north
ern provinces of China proper, and to hand
over the branch railway built to her in
Manchuria should China, at the end of
fifteen wears. have proved herself compe-
tent to manage it.
The opinion of intelligent observers in
the East is that no such treaty can have
been concluded. Were China in ex-
tremis she could scarcely pay a higher
price for rescue, nor is it conceivable that
Russia should have played so uniquely for
her own hand without any regard for her
allies, Germany and France. However,
short-sighted and emotional the Peking
Government may be-and it has never
exhibited such traits-it can scarcely have
consented to the conversion of the whole
Chinese empire into a Russian military
basis. or made such concessions in Man
churia as must inevitably bring the whole
of tina. vast district under Russian sway at
last.
The Japan Mail Steamship Company
has opened line of steamers to Europe.
Special boats of high speed and great
carrying capacity are being built in Eng
land for the service, but at present steam
ers of from three to four thousand tons,
acquired by the company during the war,
will be employed. The intention is to
compete with the Conference lines, cargo
being the chief aim. But excellent accom-
mediation for passengers will also be pro-
-