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May 25, 1908.]
JAPAN.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)
Tokyo, May 3rd.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
and spring like month of April, brought this year the severest snowstorm experienced in Japan for a generation. In hunting up a precedent for this display of nussagonable weather the Japa- nese papers go back fifty years to the time of the assassination of Lord I, outside the S kurada Gate of the capital, and point out that the late snowfall was one week later in the 888son than the record one of fty years ago, But in those primitive days a heavy fall of snow in these days of the tel graph and telephone, was not such a serious and expensive event as Only those who have actually bad the experience can realise how far Toyko was tied up" by what a foreigner would consider a most ordinary he has been accustomed to,
nowstorm, judged by the climatic conditions
A PARALYSED CITY.
more
THE TRAGEDY OF IT. Naval disasters in times of peace are common enough nowadays --
--80 0.mmon indeed that the tragedy, and irony of it are overlooked but the disaster that put a
sudden end
to the Matsushima" is remarkable in many respects, notably in the number of prominent families it has place in mourring. Many pitiful stories are told in the vernacular press here of incidents connected with the disaster. When the news of the death of Captain Yashiro was received his poor wife was about to give birth to a child. The awful intelligence was not com- Toyko went to bed on the night of the 8th municated to her, but how long could it properly be withheld and who would be bold morning of the 9th amid a city beautiful, for April under a dull sky. It woke up on the enough to tell it ? A court lady and mother of the low roofs and numerous clumps of trees one of the dead cadets was (fficiating at the wedding of prince Takeda the whole day news
were white with snow, which was still falling fast. of the disaster was received but the fate of berartistic could desire, for nothing is
This aspect of things was all that the son was withheld. Marshal Osama (with whose romantic than a low roofed towu auder the name so much tragedy is linked) loses his Idest son and heir, Admiral Urin and Baron Chinda
Hokusai's delightful sketches were out- (Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs) lose their while fifty years ago the people would have been side our very doors for a few brief hours. But Before the training squadron left Japan content to gaz upon the scene, to string the a young midshipman called at friends' in Kamagamisen, or write an kura and left a bag laughingly saying that he occasion, while at that period the Japanese were uta in memory of the would call for it in June. His mother has lost her sop; and so the story could be repeated
a happier nation and time bad ho value, to day the masses or he slaves of business. The great Thirty-three midshipmen, from whcm mu
powers represented by electricity and steam have was expected by the State, lie cold in death.
the people in their grasp and these must work. idable than the works of man. Citiz-us leaving But the storm increases and proves more form early for their business in the city find them selves stormbound in an electric car that won't go, and from then on the most novel sights accustomed to Shank's mare enjoy the confusion present themselves to the eye. Those who are that exists, and rudge along through half-a-foot interested in spite of serious discomforts, of shish and through a blinding snowfall greatly
8018.
"XTERMINATION IN FORMOSA.
+
The London press recently contained refer- ences to the methods of the Japanese authorities in dealing with the Formosan aborigines, and disapproval has been shown of the rigour of the Japanese policy of subjugation-or of exter. mination, as Las been suggested. This policy is now in active operation, however, for several accounts have come to hand in the past few days showing that fighting is in progress. It seems inaccurate to refer to the Japanese policy as one of extermination, as if the natives were absolutely helpless, and could not put up a fight On the contrary they appear to be giving plenty of trouble and the Japanese expedition is not by any means a garden party. It consists of Japanese and native police, bat from latest accounts this is likely to prove inadequate and regular troops may be dispatched before long,
THE COMMERCIAL LITUATION,
snow.
SOME SIGHTS IN TNC TY. The main charact-ristic of Toyo on the day of the storm was the absence of movement. Everything was at a standstill seemingly, for one could look up the principal streets, usually crowded with trains, carta, rikishas and foot passengers, and see nothing but isolated electric cars, round which the snow was gradually being heaped by the wind and intricate coi's of fallen telegraph wires making it extremely dangerous indeed the tramcar service was at a completely to go quicker than a walking pace. Very early standstill, and what this means only those who live in Tokyo can understand. On the railways the same conditions prevailed, traffic was im- possible with the lines crossed here and there with Tokyo-fu, a district including a large area of fallen telegraph poles, Throughout country studded with factories if various sorts, every work which depended upon electric power at night, excepting that supplied by the humble was at a standstill; light could not be obtained candle and oil lamp; and the telephone was
The old and respected firm of Simon, Evers, & Co. is in difficulties, but it is possible it will be able to pull through. The firm in Kobe has had extensive transactions with Japanese in Osaka and the failure of the latter has precipitated matters. The situation of this firm, however, is bat a reflex, it is feared, of others, and especially those with small capital who have overtraded. This practice is not uncommon among foreign firms who, while they get the trede, and prosper in prosperous times, are har est hit on a falling market. Very few can withstand the strain, General regret | dead. is expressed that trouble should even threaten such an old and respected concern as Simon Evers.
THE ELECTIONS.
An
A QUESTION OF ECONOMY, The storm was of course a serious bl. w to trade and industry, and the question arises if it could have been avoided by more substantial In a day or two the general elections will be construction. It was noticeable that he Tokyo upon us, aid there will be an opportunity to Electric Light Co. suffered little damage and judge if the elector has profied by the unplea-its light would have been continued without sant experiences of the country of late and is determined to use his great privilege of voting in the interests of the country. The commercial world is certainly awakened and we may have in the coming parliament a strong body of men representing commerce as opposed to the old stagers, who believe the only interests in the country worth consideri: g are those of agriculture. The bankers have lately been at pains to signify their strong disapproval of Government financial policy, and this to a people not accustomed to contradicting govern ment authority, must have all the value of strong, independent oriticism. Perhaps the significance of their power as voters may be more clearly realised in the coming elections.
SNOW IN APRIL.
April, the month of the cherry-blosson when thousands of country folk visit Tokyo for the specific parpos of cherry-blossom sightseeing and tourists begin to arrive from abroad, the warn
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than they would if they went to the expense of a substantial barrier which would be protection for generations.
THE PRESS IN KOREA.
The Residency-General has shown its determi- nation to carry out its promise of bringing the press in Kores to order by the issue of additional provisions to the Regulations. The new laws empower the Home Minister (who, though a Korean, really works under the advice of a the esidency Gauera) to suppress any journal Japanese vice minister and nuder the control of publishing matter calculated to lead to a breach of the peace or "a derangement of old custom." Under government as it is to-day in the peninsula this practically throttles the press, for the Residency General is not in the mood to extend the same indulgence or regard with the same indifference free-lance alterances which might pass in London or any other well-governed barm to anybody. The Korean is susceptible and well settled centre and do no particular
and although there is doubtless injustice in the country for which the Residency-General is responsible, in the interests of good government it is wise that extravagantly hostile criticism of the authorities should be suppressed, so long as the authorities make an honest endeavour to car y out their task. The freedom of the press is a much used phrase, but there must be limitations in such raw countries as Korea, where freedom has lately been interpreted as licence.
interruption but for authorities who feared fire by contact of the order frem the company's wires with their own which were broken in all directions. across which the Electric Light Co's wires are On the Tokyo plain, carried from the mountains for a distance of 40 miles, it was noticeable that the poles with- stocd the storm, while along the railway tracks the Government service was useless. It must (of foreign construction) the other is as old as be said, however, that while one service is new the railways themselves. Telegraph or tele- phore communication, either in Tokyo or with points beyond, could not be obtained for several days, and it is extraordinary that the Govern ment wires should have been useless for such a long time. Here again is in evidence the policy of cheap construction. Similarly, in the case of the river embankments, the people think they suffer less loss by having their fields and homesteads ravaged by inundation periodically
RISINGS IN ANNAM.
WAR CHEST IN A HONGKONG BANK?
bas
phong writes under date, 29th April, describ A correspondent of the "Courrier d'Hai- ing the revolt which taken place at Quinbone, situated between Hanoi and Tourane. It is supposed, he writes, that the movement, which is well conducted and organised, is evidently not the work of a discontented political party. At any rate it is certain that many of the leading gentry are directing the movement and that they are supported by other notables who have rallied t› the cause and are loyally assisting the leaders. It is said that these literary gentlemen and other notables have given of their means and that at the present moment there is a deposit of 30 million piastres in a bank in Hongkong to provide faids in order to carry on the campaign; more. over it is believed that the party has arms in reserve, hidden somewhere, and that the more pacifio campaign waged at present will be sac- ceeded by a campaign of bloodshed and burning.
The rebels which surround Binh Dinh are now about 10,000 in number. On the 18th April, it was reported, they made an assault intending to take from there the long-doc and during the night on the citadel of Binh Dinh
cut his hair, as had been done several days before to the" phu de Bong-son,' who had been captured in an assault on his residence.
Quinhone who are in good health to enrol al. Sandre has asked all Europeans at themselves for the purpose of directing the native guards. A number of castoms officers and an artillery brigade from the geological mission made several reprisals and drove back the insurgents from the positions which they held and from which they threatened the Citadel. In the course of these operations, during which the instructions were not to fire, the artillery agitators, one artilleryman being wounded on brigade was badly handled and jostled by several
the leg. The situation of Messrs. Dufresnil Europeans had to bear the brunt of the attack and Sandré was more critical. They with other of the demonstrators, who came to the doors of that the command was issued not to shoot and the Citadel in large numbers. Then it was
cudgels were effectively used. On the other since the beginning of these operations and hand, the native guard, jaded beyond measure
deprived of all rest, inspired little confidence, especially in the presence of the agitators who shouted to them and reproached them for fighting against their brothers,
Villages have risen en masse to swell the oustons men have been killed at their posts. movement against the Fr. nch and a number of
Every inhabitant who does not adhere to the movement is captured and has his hair cropped short!