last. week. Nothing of un authoritative Little of importance hua transpired since nature has yet leaked out touching the government's policy upon the burning, or rather the now smouldering qu tion of Treaty Revision, and as a consequence various rumours have been put in circulation. The press wud the people will have something upon the matter, and in the absence of ascertained fact itis small wonder if recourse is had to thegelatinous compound of surmise and rumour. On some hands Viscount Aoki is credited with devoting his time to a thorough study of the complex and delicate work; possibly he is, for it will be remembered that one ground of complaint lodged against his predeces-or in office was the persistent manner in which everything was confined to the minister's own hands. it is affirmed that igned by the pleni-Potentiaries and ministers of Germany, russia, the United States and Japan last year will be ratified. There is probably tome ground for buth rumours, There appeared an article in one of the leading papers of the capital, from which it would appear that there is to be a spirited revival of the policy inaugurated by Count Okuma to the marked satisfacPiou of his countrymen early last year. The determination to hold foreigners strictly to the letter of the existing treaties, to enforce the passport system with the utmost rigidity, to drive home all the drawbacks and discomforts of the present long-maintained condition of things, this was the policy which! naturally enough attracted attention in the press. and elsewhere a few months ago. Several tourists were made to feel the consequences of the altered state of affairs, and it is safe to presume that some of the more churlish of Japanese officials chuckled at the excellent opportunity afforded them of oxercis ug their disubliging, obstructive spirit towards foreigners in an agreeably enhanced degree, The writer referred to now dwells upon the satisfaction the pro-taised sterner policy gove, but considers with regret that the congratulations were unduly high-pitched, the strictness and firmness being, it is alleged, more in name than in reality. Now, however, there is cause for reassurance, the authorities, according to this writer, having resolved to give practical effect rather than proclaim their intention to give such effect to the plan mentioned.
The Kokumin no Toma (Nation's Friend), referred to ina former letter, has published a very striking article upon Counts Okuma, Inouye and Ito, The Japan Herald gives a lengthy translation of the article, which is unquestionably exceptionally noteworthy by reason of the very straightforward an matter-of-fact wayin which the public careers of these three leading with. Both Counts Ito and Inouye are summed up somewhat severely, and whilst the former is classed with three others, Ashiaga Yoshimitsu, Toyotomi Taiko, and Tokugawa Iyenari, who alone of all outside the members of the Fujiwara house have risen to the Premiership since the seventh century, and is tried in the balance and found wanting, and is assured that "there wil! be no chance of his occupying the post of Premier again", the latter is boldly criticised for his obstinate withdrawal from the world of politics and public affairs last year, taken roundly to task for luck of grit and pertinacity in the pursuit of difficult and protracted work, and given to understand that, although the state of li tical affairs in the country will inevitably jemand his reacceptance of a more or less prominent part in the leadership of parties, it is by no means certain whether the fact should be regarded as a misfortune to the country or the fortune of Count Inouye. To Count Okuma, clearly enough, is given the palm for statesmanship and for the qualities demanded of a leader; and it is evident that the dog-in-the-manger action of Count Inouye and in a less marked degree of Count Ito has not passed un: ed by those who to-day are actually the final repositories of power. The entire article is one of the most fairly. outspoken and most significant of the many noteworthy ones which have appeared in the brilliant columns of the Kokumin no Toma.
Much regret has been manifested in this community and in other parts of Kanagawa Ken over the compulsory retirement. of Mr. Oki Morikata from the governorship of the Ken. A public meeting has been held at which some well-norited compliments were paid Mr. Oki, and at which it was finally resolved to draft a memorial on belulf of the foreign residents of Yokohama expressive of their appreciation of the late Governor's unit indness, of the able manner characteristic of his administration of local and provincial affairs, and of the generous interest displayed on numerous Occasions in different local concerns and institutions. Mr. and Mrs. Oki's presence has graced very many reunions and opening ceremonies, and their departure will undoubtedly be peculiarly felt. Iperceive in the columns of the Nippon announcement that the Japanese themselves are not allowing the change of Governors to be effected without tendering marks, of approval of the retiring official. Mr. Hirabayoshi, of Minami Tamagori, in conjunction ith nineteen other headmen of towns and villages, has forwarded " memorial setting, should be made to acquire political power, forth their joint appreciation of Mr. Ok merits and ability; and several of the leading merchants of Hacioji have taken some: countries warrants the belief that its pos-retiring governor with an assortment of the standard productions of the district. It is very gratifying to note that like evidences of popular good-will and respect have attended other retiring Kenreis.
We are to have a local municipal gazette. The town at present boasts of no journal in the vernacular; why, is not immediately apparent, as there seems no reason for the complete monopolisation of the ground by the Tokio papers. Under existing circum stances, residents are occasionally left entirely without news. The interruption in rail and vehiculartraftic which resulted from the fouds a few months ago opened the eyes of many to the dependence of the reading public upon the capital, and seemed not improbable that something would be done to remedy the drawback—the Tokio papers are not even sent down by rail; and the consequence is that delays are by no means rare. The promised gazette is to contain regulations, notifications, items general news, municipal and other announcements, ete. It is to be sold at the bare actual cost of production, 15th January.
The often referred-to memorial from the Buddhist priests against the clauses in the constitution and in the laws for the government of cities, towns, &e., has at last been presented, and from particulars published one of the Tokio journals it would appear to have been very generally supported. The total number of signatures appended to the memorial in 4,106. A glance at the following particulars establishes the con-Jclusion that the movement has not been confined to a particular part of the country. OF the memorialists 645 belong to Nil Ken, 150 to Nayano Ken, 600 to Osaka Fu, 130 to Shiga Ken, 370 to Kumamoto Ken, 130 to Saga Ken, '310 to Fukuoka Ken, 90 to Kagawa Ken, 305 to Hiroshima Ken, 72 ty Ishikawa Ken, 260 to Miye Ken, 70 to Wakayama Ken, 242 to Oita Ken, 70 to Kanagawa Ken, 219 to Higo Ken, 50 to okushima Ken, 180 to Gifu Ken, 40 to Kioto Fu, 170 to Fukui Ken, 30 to Chiba Ken, 150 to Nagasaki Ken, 25 to Yama-puchi Ken, and 150 to Nara Ken. The presentation of the documents was made the occasion of a grand social gathering on the part. of priests of several of the sects, some 450 being present.
The common interest and desire which had drawn them together came in for considerable discussion, which was apparently of a hopeful tone, the general belief of the men, present being that some official steps will result from the agitation. If the priesta are, as alleged, subject to military duty and so forth, there is small wonder that they should be decidedly unwilling to sit down quietly under the aiaabiliey pat upon them, me way out of the difficulty will be the release of the priests and all teachers of religion from liability to military service. Certainly the one duty should not be imposed if the other privilege is withheld, From an article upon Christianity of which yesterday's Mail gi i it seems that there is an idea prevalent that the ability to take pert in political work, accorded, would be used as a lever for the propagation of religion. If such is the case, the existing law may well be left untouched. It may be as the Hochi, according tothe Mail, says that "it would ill become Buddhists to seek to extend the influence of their creed by the abuse of political power", and that "such an ex-of power" would not possess the elements of stability"; if measures of that kind-are r on, the future of Buddhism is indeed in a perilous position." All the same, however, it is in no way surprising that the attempt if only in view of the fact that the experience of religious bodies in other what similar action and presented the session would probably materially favour the extension of particular tenets and beliefs. Brief reference to this Hochi article is Farounable to Chris! nity, states that al-lainly called for. It is very noticeably though the spread of Christianity is slow, its work is sure, deep and stable, attributes to its extension and sway the recent fairly wide movement for the abolition of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.