September 19, 1908.]
JAPAN.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
Tokyo, September 2nd. THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE EXHIBITION, It is not easy to convey the feelings with which the public have received the Government's decision to postpone the Exhibition of 1912 to 1917-the 50th anniversary of the Emperor's accession. When the postponement rumour was first braited, only a few weeks ago, it was ridiculed; when the rumour grow persistent the leading papers scouted the ides, but were doubt- ful; when the Government's final decision was made known the public surprise and chagrin were well represented in the strong resolutions of the City Council of Tokyo telegraphed to you yesterday. Yet the decision was arrived at some days before and had already been communicated to America-a special courtesy extended in view of America's cordial support of the exhibition proposal. Thus the whole affair was cut and dried before the public had any idea of post- ponement.
AN AFFRONT TO THE METROPOLIS.
The policy of the Government on this matter from the first has been received as an affront to the city of Tokyo, and the city fathers' indigna- tion is visible in the strong resolutions they passed at yesterday's meeting, They declared themselves entirely out of sympathy with the Government's action and resolved not to co-operate with the Government in the preparations for the exhibition of 1917. They demanded the return of the sum of 1,370,000 yen already contributed to the Government as part of the city's share of expense, and they demanded that compensation be paid to those persons in Aoyama who have been disposessed of land to extend the site of the exhibition. The unanimity with which these resolutions were passed shows the amount of "feeling behind them, and though many of the city fathers may have been personally interested and keenly dis. appointed in the postponement, the resolutions certainly represent the feeling of Tokyo, which is one of the greatest disappointment.
BEHIND THE SCENES.
25
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
205
by the citizens of Tokyo alone is spoken of tions should appear in the statements they among many other proposals and remedies, but made to the police, and the statement every in a few days indignation may simmer down | citizen puts on record at the ward office, asked considerably and the people become reconciled for copfes of the registration in order to be on to facts. In any event, now that the postpone the safe side | ment is officially notified abroad the Govern- ment cannot reconsider its decision, nor is it at all likely to. An official explanation has been given of the reasons prompting the postpone ment and weight is laid upon the inadequate railway facilities tourists, while the hope is held out that the and accommodations for Exhibition in 1917 will be an epoch-making | affair in the history of Japan.
Financial and other disabilities, such as poor hotel accommodation, are put forward officially as reasons for postponement, but it would seem that personal jealousies and friction hage some- thing also to do with it. Incredible as it appears, it is stated that Viscount Kaneko, the executive head of the Exhibition, was not informed of the Government's decision to postpons and knew of it very little earlier than the general public. A Cabinet Council arrived at the decision on the 21st ult. and only a day or two ago, Baron Oura, Minister of Agriculture and Commerce and President of the Exhibition, convened a private meeting of the Exhibition Committee and com- municated the facts. The Minister's statement and the angry speeches which followed got into the papers. The fat was then in the fire, but why such secrecy ?
VISCOUNT KANEKO'S WORK,
FOREIGN JOURNALISM IN CHINA,
Recently the number of foreign newspapers at Shanghai was increased by the birth of another joarual in English, edited by a Danish journalist and it is reported from home that Mr. F. A. McKenzie, well known in connection with one or two books on Far Eastern affairs, contem- plates starting a paper in one of the biva ports. Mr. McKenzie is connected with the Daily Mail, and it may be that the powerful Londoa journal bas got an eye on the China market.
COMMERCIAL SITUATION AND
RETRENCHMENT,
14
years
|
The bard times that are now being experienced by all branches of commerce and industry are being impressed on the public in various ways, notably in the matter of economising working expenses. It is no exaggeration to say that never before in the history of foreigners in this country has there been such depression. Little is made public of the difficulties of many firms in Yokohama, Kobe and other ports, and the critical position of those of small capital. But the stereotyped Nothing doing" applied with truth and exsotness to many Arms can be and many more individuals, and equally so to Japanese concerns large and small From the Government departments downwards the policy is retrenchment, and many an official and other employe finds himself out of a job after of service, unable to complain of injustice for the hard times make his dismissal an economic necessity. The Nippon Yasen Keisha have just put into operation a drastic scheme of reform, whereby a hundred more or le s important agency employes are discharged. Important branches, such as that at Osaka have been reduced in status, and so on; the work that was done last year by so many blerks at the head ffice of the Tokyo Tramway Co. is now done by half the number. Such measures show which way the wind important trust comes into being on the 15th blowing. A rather
inst. This is an amalgamation of the Dai Nippon, Kobe and Yokohama Sagar Manu. facturing Companies, three concerns with a combined subscribed capital of some 40,000,000 yen. The object of the combine is to cheapen the price to the home consumer, enable the trust to meet foreign competition and extend the market abroad.
THE POPULATION OF TOKYO.
THE VIRTUS OFİSELF-CONFIDENOR. The world has got to look alive if it is to keep the rising young Japanese in his place. The other day a smart young man, just “graduated" from a commercial school, was installed in an is the custom among this polite people he was English newspaper oflos as proof reader. As taken round the office and introduced right and left, In due course he came to the foreigner in the establishment and expressed great pleasure at having the bonoar of making ensued:- Foreigner his acquaintance. The following conversation "Have you been in s ing with great confidence-"No Bir. I am a newspaper offloe before ? "-Rising Sun, speak- graduate from Okura Commercial School and have much difficulty with the English tongue. I am now writing the book on your prepositions. The English prepositions are very hard to the Japanese. When it is written I shall have the great honour to give you the book!" With this the bright' young man bowed and got down The foreigner sat down too, to think it all out
At present a difference of about 500,000 exists between the police records of the popula- tion of Tokyo and the records in the ward Rumour again has it that the executive head offices. Recently the Census Bureau was was not the man best fitted for such a post and ordered to make a new calcalation and the that he was not on good terms with several of police were entrusted with the task of house-to. those in high places. In the past few months house visiting. Their appearance here and Viscount Kaneka and other executive officials there with ponderous volumes has paused a good have toured the provinces effectively, making deal of excitement and suspicion among the known the proposed extent and scope of the Ex-ignorant, with some amusing results. There hibition and obtaining the enthusiastic support fore the census officials found it necessary to of the people to what is regarded throughout hold meetings in the various wards in order to Japan as a great national effort to make a good explain to the people why they are being show before the world. Such a spirit would go far analysed and bracketted in books like so much to making a success of any exhibition whatever stook-in-trade. But only 13,000 people attend. the financial drawbacks, In Tokyo the exscu- ed 50 of these meetings, and the census authori- tive bureau has already published an exhaustive ties have taken the more effective way of call. list of olasses and exhibits and a vast amount ing the journalists together and giving them an "instruction." The soribes were informed that all sorts of wrong ideas prevail in regard to the work of the police. They are not taking the census in order that the people may be further taxed nor that criminals may be hunted down, but in order to ascertain as dorrectly as possible the name and calling of every soul comprising the city of Tokyo. The police were authorised to ask only a limited number of questions and if they exceeded their powers they were to be reported and would be punished. The official related that the ward offices were being visited daily by hundreds of excited people who, fearing trouble if any contradic-
of detail work has been done. All this effort, of course, will not have been wasted if the exhibition is held five years later, but at present the future is uncertaia. Yesterday Viscount Kanska tendered his resignation.
ATTITUDE OF THE PUBLIC.
There is talk of an indignation meeting in Hibiya Park on the 5th inst., the third anniver. sary of the Portsmouth pesce riots. Naturally, a very large number of people are financially affected by the postponement, especially speca- lators in land at Aoyama, and the rougher elements among these are sure to make the most of the occasion. An exhibition promoted
KULANGSU (AMOY) MUNICIPAL
COUNCIL.
Minutes of a meeting of the Council held at the Board Room, on the 25th August 1908.
Present:-Messrs. N, H. Wallace (Chairman), J., Fenwick, Huang Ts'an-chew, W. Kruse, 8. Okuyama, W. Wilson, the Health Officer and the Secretary.
The minutes of the last meeting are read, and confirmed.
THE VISIT OF THE AMERICAN FLEET, A communication was read from the Ameri. can Consul asking what sotion the Council were taking regarding the issue of fresh licenses for the sale of liquor previous to and during the visit of the American Fleet to Amoy, at the same time pointing out that as the Chinese Go- vernment had declared its intention of supplying beer and temperance drinks to the men of the Fleet free of charge during the reception, he thought the Council would agree with him that there was no necessity for the issue of more licenses than those in force.
The Council was of opinion that the number of licenses for the sale of liquor at present in force in the International Settlement of Kulangsu, was quite sufficient and therefore any applications made to the Council for such licenses would be refused.
4
An application on behalf of the Chinese Go- vernment, from the Acting Deputy Commis- sioner of Customs in Charge, Amoy, for per- mission to make certain additions of a temporary nature to the jetty at Ling-tow, for the use of the American Fleet on their approaching visit, was read, and the Secretary was instructed to reply that the Council was prepared to sanction such additions and alterations, provided that no obstruction was caused to the traffic at Ling- tow during the period of construction, and that the present stone jetty and its approaches were left in good order and repair on the removal of the proposed temporary structure,
THE LAND COMMISSION.
The question of the appointment of three foreign gentle men to serve on the Land Com- mission was further discussed.
POLICE RETURNS,
The Superintendent of Police reported that the following bases had been dealt with at the Mixed Court sings the last meeting -Sum- mooses. Carrying out a burial without a permit 2; allowing pigs and cattle to stray 4; breach of theatre permit conditions 2; creating a disturb- ance 1; assault 1; debt 2; illegally removing furniture 1; carrying without a license 1; non-payment of assessment 2, kidnapping 1. Summary Arrests. Assault 4; being in unlaw- ful possession of property 2; theft 1; committing a nuisance 1; on suspicion with stealing &c., Ï.
Shanghai, has filed a summons against the Mr. H. P. Wilkinson, Crown Advocate of Editor of the " China Gazette " returnable this for an alleged libel against Judge Wilfey con- week, asking leave to commence proceedings tained in a footnote published on August 4.