The record-union., 1899-08-28
Accorded a Great Ovation When They
Went Ashore.
Native and Foreign Papers Filled
With Rumors of an Alliance
Between China and Japan-Re-
ports of Strained Relations
Between Japan and Russia
First Murder Trial Of a For
eigner in Japan.

YOKOHAMA, Aug. IL (via Victoria,
B. c., Aug. 2D.-The United States
transport Grant arrived here this
morning from Manila with the Dakota,
Idaho and Wyoming troops They have
just come ashore and are being ac-
corded great ovation. They will re-
main here five days.
Papers of last week, both native and
foreign, have been filled with rumors
of the alliance of some sort between
China and Japan. Among the best in
formed little credence is given to popu-
lar rumors. At the same time it is
known that important negotiations of
some sort are going on between the
two Governments. Conjoined with the
gossip about China, it is but natural
that there should be reports of strained
relations between Japan and Russia.
The time is not yet ripe, however, for
Japan even with China to aid her, to
try conclusions with her northern foe.
The foreign community here is watch
ing with eager interest the first murder
trial of a foreigner in the Japanese
courts. Though there is no doubt of
the guilt of the accused, an American
named Miller, curiosity is greatly
strengthened by the opportunity thus
early given to note the rulings of the
Judge and the method of procedure.
The conduct of the trial has been ex-
ceedingly dignified and fair, and in the
opinion of a leading foreign barrister,
will prove to be far more efficient in
securing a just verdict than could be
possible under the old system4 The
promptness with which the accused
was brought to bar and the entire alb
sence of any disposition to delay pro-
cedure excited favorable comment and
goes far toward allaying foreign fears
Of Oriental dilatoriness, from which
they expected to suffer greatly. An
other assurance to the same effect was
given in the speedy trial and acquittal
of the engineer of the United States
transport Sherman, arrested for lar
ceny. This case is notable as being the
solitary instance of police interference
with any one connected with the Amer
lean troops passing through here. Five
thousand have now come and gone,
roaming through the streets of Yoko-
hama and Toxic for an average of two
days without causing a ripple of dis
turbance. The American community
here is small, but it is intensely Ameri-
can.
The task which it has undertaken in
connection with the passage of Ameri
ardent patriotism. For some forty or
fifty families, hardly enough to make
up small country village, to feed and
entertain in every possible way an
army of 10000 is something never be-
IL oIe.o of s+oI;
Yet half of this task is already accom-
plished, and the devoted hosts are full
Of pluck and energy, to pursue it to the
end. They feel amply repaid by the
unbounded gratitude Of the soldiers,
while even the japanese have been
taught a new lesson in patriotism.
The Japanese capacity for Democrat
ic institutions is being just now severe
ly tested. Party feeling has led to the
necessity of surrounding with a heavy
guard one of the political leaders on a
tour through the northern Provinces
and a lively battle, in which one man
was fatally injured, was the result.
Here in Yokohama the trouble is not
so much political as social. The jim
rikishaw men are putting in a protest
against the adoption of electric rail-
ways and last evening their protest
took the form of direct assault upon
the City Council, then in session. Only
the interference of a large force of po-
lice prevented serious trouble.
The Hon. Kentaro Kaniko, the first
Japanese to receive the honorary de-
gree of LII. D. from Harvard Univer
sity, is expected to arrive here on the
10Th inst. on his return on the Empress
of India.