A native, charged with stealing seven sheets of copper from' the barque Zephyrus, was It matters very little where the hostages are seized. As soon as they understand that they gro to be held in pawn for the compradore's commie Ean, cod we sboali of eons wil ener their
take every precaution. to give them facilities for communicating with Canton, We are quite aware that we are recommending an Utterly irregular proceeding, but it is the only tone open to us. The question lies between our being successfully snubbed by the Chinese under the rise of patitaniess and routine, and legal ringing the fist to ahead, and a tolerably tbarmless (if consequent prestige in native eyes, illegal) way of bring matter toa and so obtaining both practical justice and a restoration of our position in native eyes—no small matter, in view of the enormous disproare ing the views of a large number of portion of nationalities in this Colony. We residents, both foreign and Chinese, in urging The negotiations opened some: two. years ago between the Governments. of Japan: and Peru have had a more auspicious termination. than might have been anticipated from the circumstances attending their commence mer A treaty of friendship and commerce bet the two countries was signed some little back, and, after ratification, was exchange on the 17th inst. at the hands of Senor J, F, Elmore, L.L.D. on the side of Peru, and 'H.E. Terashima Munenori, specially appointed by H.M. the Mikado Plenipotentiary ad hoc. Senor Elmore has been appointed in. perma nent mission in Japan add China, and' base received full powers for the exchange and ratification of both the Chinese and Japanese treaties. His staff, consisting of a Secretary of Legation and an Attache have. arrived,
duties here, he leaves shortly and temporarily Having: concluded part of these prelishinary for Peking for a similar purpose in China, after the accomplishment of which' he will reside in this country. We trust that the intercourse which Senor Elmore has been strumental in placing on its pr will be one of increasing advantage to the terested in these negotiations.—Japan Mail.
That the unfortunate Mr, Margary's expedition was regarded by impartial outside as far more dangerous peared to think it, is recently written by th Pro-vicar of the province of Yunnan residing at Yunnanfoo, Under date of February 17, he says:—''In the month of [Rerenbes last, we saw an Englishman pose making his way towards join an English Expedition The mandarins did istled, and persons of mo: that he. would Fortunately known, and it ne dare not China Mail guilty ies will meet All recent travellers represent the trafic be. tweed Otz (this end of the Biwa Lake) and Kioto as enormous, A perpetual stream wheeled vehicles, pack-horses and ped some free, some laden, flows. alan between the two places. When the line of railway from Osaka to Kioto is open, t will certainly increase considerably, is actual danger of the road although it is one of the broadest cost of carringo is computation, three: ved. were the traffic carr robable that even at th line could be repaid within five the time ie estimated by, competent ies at far less than this. The Japaiere ought by this time to have got over the heavy expense which first experiments always entail in whatever direction they are made, and section of railway—it is not more than nine or ten miles—might be constructed far more cheaply in proportion than the two "Iites already completed. It is true that there are two ranges of hills over, or under, which the line must pass, but there is not one really formidable difficulty presented by the scheme, If the communication is left in its pr state, it will be as if there were a railway from'London to Manchester and no line from Manchester to Liverpool. Surely the Govern ment ought not to hesitate about giving immediate orders for beginning and finishing is line with all possible despateh.—Japan
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.