Cuxa has had her usual good Juck in the matter of the reparation demanded of her for her insensate and ravhless outbreak last year. The Chinese Peace Plenipotentiaries fully expected that their country would have to pay an indemui'y of one hundred million pounds" sterling, instead of which the Allies themselves fixed it at only something over sixty millions, and gave China very easy terms of payment. No conditions derogatory to the dignity of China were exacted from Prince Chun's mission, and now that we {have the fall report of Na Tung's apologetic mission, we find that the Japanese have been content wish a very moderate measure of penitence.
it has appeared extraordin that Japan acerpted Na Tung ax all, considering his close connection with the Boxers last year, but the feeling in Peking seems to be that it is inconvenient to enquire too minutely into the actions of Peking officials last year, ax every one of them, from Prince Ching down, had to pretend to be a friend of the Boxers in order save his skin. Those who were too good patriots or*too proud to kneel before the false gods of the Boxers were cut in pieces and their houses made a dunghill, for history in the East is even more unchanging than in the West. If Na Tung, we are assured, posed as a Boxer Chief last year, it was only under irresistible compulsion.
We printed yesterday morning an extract from the " Japan Maiv" giving a translation of what a Japanese vernacular paper asserted to be the real text of the Emperor of China's letter of apology to his Japanese brother, The "Japan Mail? naturally characterised it as a huge joke, but it is really by no means an extra-vacant parody of the letter actually presented to the Mikado by Na Tung at his audience on the 13th instant, as reported in the "Japan Times" of Tokio. The following is the full text of the letter "The Emperor of China to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Greeting Great and illustrious Sovereign The relations of mutual confidence and cordial friendship between China and Japan,—the two countries situated alike in Asia in close geographical proximity to each other,—have happily been fostered and strengthened ever since the practice was inaugurated of reciprocally sending envoys from one empire to the other in permanent resident missions.—Unfortunately, however, when the capital of our country was suddenly infested by the Boxer insurgents in the fifth moon of the last year, and in consequence when both the soldiery and cvie population gave themselves up to uncontrolled fury and disorder, Sugiyzina Akira, the Chancellor of your Majesty's Legation in Peking, fell victim to their lawlessness and lost his life. The Chancellor coming to China, ashe did, in the suite of your Majesty's Minister was entitled to the highest protection from us. The disturbance, however, broke outs" suddenly and so unexpectedly that his grievous death could not be averted. are conscious that the im bly. deplorable end, which betel Ga friendly Power, anil the consequent interruption of cordial relations. between the -two countries are the results of our failings, in that were unable to prevent in time the turn of events, We therefore feel the deepest regret, and we have accordingly caused our Minister to perform religious rites for the memory of the lamented Chancellor and at the same time we have made offerings from our private purse in honour of the deceased.
have conunanded Na Tung, a Vice-Minister for Finance of the first degree of proceed to your to present this' Tmperial letter m the capacity of our envoy jin special mission, The loyalty and fidelity of Na Tung are area and reposing full confidence in him we hi specially charged him to execute his mission in the spirit-of highest. 1 erence, and to make known of profound regret, thus making honourable reparation for the death of Sugiyama, When the forces, which were sent. by your Majesty on their distant expedition, arrived in Peking their first and paramount as to give peace and security to the habitants. In the negotiations for peace which ed, your Majesty's beneficent influence was invariably felt in the adjustment of important questions. That the general situation in the Orient has so happily been preserved intact, issue to the just and impartial views which your Majesty' has maintained in the councils of "nations. Your Majesty's fame as a just and humane Sovereign now extends far and wide; and deeply touched by your Bajexty's henevelent attitude, we have commoded our envoy: to present to your Majesty in our nam sincere thanks, Tt only remains for express our earnest wish that your Majesty, setting aside phe displeasure whi events have occasioned, will be graciously Aisposedsto draw closer and closer the bond of friendship which unites the two countries; that the existing sentiments of mutual goodwill may be fostered more and more us time progresses; that, tranquilli henceforth reign over the earth; and of peace and prosperity may descend upon our respective empires.
The twentieth day of the sixth moon of the twenty-seventh The delivery of the letter was preceded by a speech mide to the Mikado by Na Tung, in which the latter, instead of humbly acknowledging that the Chancellor Sugiyama was furilly murdered by Chinese troops with the approval of their then Government, simply says that he "met a violent death." The following is the full text of the speech "Your Imperial Majesty in graciously permitting me to approach your Majesty in the discharge of a mission confided to me by His Majesty the Emperor of China, my august sovereign, has conferred upon me a high honour which I esteem all the more because of my personal knowledge of the magnificent results of your Majesty's enlightened rule, which are becoming more and more conspicuous day by day.
The reciprocal relations between Japan and China, situated alike in Asia, have been marked by the utmost cordiality. Unfortunately, however, when a disturbance suddenly broke out in China in the summer of last year, Sugiyama Akira, the chancellor of your Majesty's Legation, met a violent death. My august sovereign deeply regretting the occurrence has sent me to your
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.