In an article referring to the Loochoo islands the Hochi Shinbun (a semi-official paper) prognosticates that no quarrel is likely to occur between China and Japan relative to the position the latter has assumed towards those islands, as there are no substantial grounds for a quarrel. The writer thinks that foreigners would be materially interested in fanning the present difficulty into an outbreak of hostilities between the two countries, as it would imerease the trade with them in ships and war material, which they would supply to both countries and obtain considerable profits therefrom, The Japan Gazette, however, says it is currently reported in the capital that an angry and menacing protest has been received from Peking from the Chinese government, remonstrating with the Japanese Ministers about the late annexation of Loochoo, According to the Japanese papers there seems to be a division in the Japanese cabinet upon this unwelcome matter.
The Herald says the Japanese have just sold the Chinese a bargain. In the face of possible trouble over the Loochoos, they ave got the Chinese to buy some 15,000 old muzzle-loading muskets and rifles, that if China should declare war against Japan and make use of these purchases, the Japanese will be saved much fighting and expense of ammunition, In business matters, however, John Chinaman generally knows what he is about, and these uns may be returned to Japan converted into breech-loaders, The Japan Mail does not attach much importance to the rumours which have lately been current in the native Press as to the possibility of any immediate hosti-iltis between China and Japan, but there can be no doubt that the incorporation of the Loochoo islands into a Ken of Japan, entailing the enforced severance of their old ties with the "Middle Kingdom," has created another element to foster the feeling of national jealously which from time immemorial seems to have been the prevailing sentiment between the two nations, This antagonism dates from the earliest times and seems now, as in early history, to be active and aggressive on the part of the smaller country, whilst it remains passive and stolid on the part of China. How long these conflicting elements may be kept from clashing in actual warfare is difficult, if not impossible, to estimate. Whether the late successful active policy of Japan may tempt her to yet further encroachments upon the old established, or presumed, rights of her patient neighbour, and lead' to actual attack upon territory which even her stolidity may be forced to defend; or whether the present immobility of China is but assumed to cover preparations which, when completed, are to enable her—without further provocation—to declare war against her young and aggressive rival, are results which it is impossible to forecast, although it cannot be disputed that either contingency is possible,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.