Wuartever be the outcome of Treaty Revision in Japan, and it can have but one outcome although that may still be delayed, the Empire has shown its readiness to enter on equal terms the comity of civilised nations by the adoption of the constitution which was promulgated on the 11th of this month. How gradually and cautiously this great reform has been led up to is perhaps not so well appreciated as it deserves to be. It was on the 6th of April, 1868, that the present Emperor, Mutsuhito, who had only recently acceded to the throne, took an oath in the presence of the assembled Court Nobles and of the territorial Princes that a deliberative assembly should be formed, and all measures decided by public opinion and in 1875 the first step in the fulfilment of this oath was taken by jthe establishment of the Gewo In or hich body was given the laws. On the 12th of October 1881 an Imperial Rescript published, warning the people against their tendency "to advance tov rapidly, and without that thought and consideration which alone can make progress enduring," referring to the establishment of the Senate in 1875 and of local assemblies in 1878, and undertaking to establish a parliament in 1890, in order to carry into full effect the determination of the Throne to establish a constitutional form of government. There was much more or Tess openly expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed delay of nine years {but the time has been well spent in preparing the people for the change discussion, eie@ voce and through the press, and on Monday week, amid seen even in lighthearted Japan, the promises of 1868 and 1881 were fulfilled. For twenty-two years the" Enuperor's sway has been practically absolute, for his Cabinet, in Myhich all executive power has lain, has been responsible to nobody but himself, the functions of the Senate being merely consultative. A certain amount of liberty of the press and of public opinion has no doubt had its effect on the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.