The morning times., 1896-04-20
NEW CRISIS IN KOREA
Downfall Of the Present Pre-
mier Seems Likely.
JAPAN PATIENT IN TRIAL
Large Numbers of Japanese Subjects
Murdered in the Island Since Feb
ruary-Russia' IS Designs Not So Far
Reaching AS Supposed-Emperor'
Gracious Words to the Diet.
Especial Correspondence, United Press.)

Especial Correspondence, United p ress.)
Toxic, April | via San Fra ncisco, April
19.-It is believed affairs in Korea are
rapidly approaching another crisis, which
will involve the downfall of the present
premier and his faction.
The Ideals that Ii Pom Chin will evade the
difficulties of his position by proceeding
to Russia ostensibly as ambassador toattend
the coronation ceremonies and that PAX
Yong-Ho, now in the United States, will
be summoned to head the government.
Rumor now alleges that the flight of the
king to the Russian legation was entirely
due to the Vaccination of Ii Pon-Chin.
He deceived both sides, the king by
cleverly fabricated story that the Russian
representative was highly desirous OF his
ma jestys secret removal to the legation,
so that he might escape the fate OF his
late consort nd the Russian representative
by an equally ingenious pretenSe that the
king eagerly wished to seek asylum under
the roof of the Russian legation against
the murderous projects on the part of
the Japanese.
Both were imposed upon and the affair
of February | l took place.
JAPANESE MURDERED.
The number OF Japanese subjects mur-
dered i'll Korea since February IL, now
totals thirty eight, in addition to five,
who are missing. Great patience has
been shown by the government and people
of Japan in the face of these outra ges,
the nations Indignation being curbed by
a conviction that any resolute employment
OF force TO quell the insurgents and punish
the murderers might Involve u collision
with Russia.
But it being now evident that Russuas 8
designs in the peninsula are not so ma
tured or far-reaching as was originally
supposed, the japanese will probably
adopt vigorous measures 10 protect the
property OF their nation. The market
prices of nearly all commodities i'll Japan
show a strong downward tendency.
There is Il general feeling of uneasi-
ness throughout the country in connection
with Korean affairs and the disastrous
condition OF the silk business supple
mented by low quotations in the rice mar
ket and by the check that the export in
dustry experiences from the appreciation
of silver, tend TO deter the people from
making purchases.
The seventh session of the japanese
diet came to an end on March Is, having
been prolonged for two days to facilitate
the passage OF one or two important bills.
On the 29th the closing ceremony was per-
formed. The empe ror S mes sage was
couched in exceptionally gracious words.
His majesty lauded the houses diligence,
patriotism and devotion to the public
interests.
FRIENDLY TO THE CABINET.
There was, indeed, good reason for this
display OF imperial satisfaction. Never
before in the history OF the japanese diet
had its proceedings been marked by such
moderation or by so amicable disposition
TO support the cabinet. Out OF 1855 bills
submitted by the government no less than
129 were passed and three only rejected, the
rest being either withdraw or not debated.
a company to build carriage and locomo-
tives is about to be started by some of the
leading capitalists in japan. Ii will have
factories in Toxic and Osaka, where twelve
locomotives, fifty passenger cars, and 200
freight agons will be constructed yearly.
That will bea freshbIow TO oforeignimporters.
The caterpiller plague continues to de-
vastate the district of Kowloon. Nine and a
half tons of the insects have been collected
there, but they have not as yet made their
aDupa rance in Hong Kong