The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-27
BY SECRET BALLOT.
Japan Inaugurates the Australian
System of Voting.

Toxic, Aug. Is, via Victoria, B. c.,
Aug. 27.-Japan's first election accom-
panied by secret ballot took place Ok
August 9. The campaign was very
lively, although the usual feature of the
interference of paid hirelfngs of the
candidates was conspicuous by its abb
sence. On the other hand accusations
Of bribery flew around. and some of the
offenders in this regard. The result OF
the polling is not fully known, but
enough has been gathered to show q
preponderance of the constitutional
party, generated by Marquis Ito, Ja-
pans leading statesman.
This is a period when the United
States seems to be looking after the Pa
cific islands. First it was Marcus is
ton authorities recognized Japan's claim
thereto. The incident caused a little
f1utter at first, and a Japanese man
ofwar was dispatched with an official
Rosehill, the American alleged conces-
sionaire. The warship landed it's official
charged with documents, one being
from u. S. Minister Buck, but so far
RosehilPs arrival The telegraphed So
luton OF the matter has been hailed
with pleasure by the Japanese press.
which exalts the magnanimity OF Amer
lea and points out how consistently she
has shown herself to be the friend of
Japan.
Just ON top Of that favorable impress
sion, however, there arrives telegraphlc
word that the United States has sent
warship to GUST the japanese from
Wake island, south of Marcus island.
The Japanese papers claim the island
was uninhabited until some of their
bird catcherS visited it, and profess to
fail to understand of what benefit the
island would be to any nation. So far
the nature of Americas claim to the
island and the purposes OF its present
enforcement. if the news is correct. are
unknown here.
1t is stated here that the vexed ques-
ton of the right of the Japanese gov
eminent to tax property owned by for
eigners will be submitted to final arbf-
trament of The Hague peace tribunal.
The matter is not actually settled, but
this disposition Of it is thought likely.
as well as seeming satisfactory to the
parties concerned.
M. Pavloff. Russian minister to
Korea, who has been visiting japan.
has returned to Seoul. Regarding the
question of the evacuation by Russia
of Manchuria in official quarters, in
formation has been received to the
effect that preparations for evacuation
have commenced.
In the course Of six months after the
signature of the Manchurian agreement,
April 8, the Russian troops from the
southwestern portion Of the provinces
OF Mukdler. as far as the Las river,
are to be withdrawn and the railway is
to be restored at the same time.
Yokohama, Aug. 15, via Victoria,
B. c., Aug. 27.-The extraordinary
weather this year in Japan makes
the prospects of good rice
crop the main food of the people
very gloomy. The thermometer has
hardly reached 80 degrees in the open
and has been generally lodging around
IS to rs degrees. Heavy rain has fallen
eliminating in typhoons on July 10 and
II. The wind blew at hurricane velocity.
the rivers rose six and eight feet, en-
bankments were carried away, whole
villages were inundated. and the reports
of loss of life and damage to property
are daily growing.
Luckily the rain, which is so danger
Gus here, fell at the right time in Korea
A magnificent crop of barley which has
already been harvested, together with
full rice fields. will put Koreans In an
enviable position