2nd Nov.
OvurwarbLy there is the most absolute calm at Peking, all the evil passions and jealousies that have been reported as existing there being put aside to make room for the pre-arations for the celebration of the impress Dowager's birthday. But this calm is only superficial, and Japan certainly is not among those who are resting on their oars. Her late Minister, Mr. Yano, has been recalled in order, it is said, to be appointed foreign adviser to the Tsungli Yamen. No less important a personage than Baron Nishi succeeds him, and he is expected in Peking at the end of this month. He was fifteen years Minister at St. Petersburg, and recently Minister of Foreign Affairs at Tokio, and it is certain that a man of his calibre is not sent to Peking unless there are very important matters to be dealt with. It is very noticeable, too, that Mr. Kato, lately Japanese Minister to England, is at Peking at the present moment, and there are about forty Japanese military students there, on a holiday visit to the Chinese capital. It would seem as if Japan were taking our place in the gap between Russia and China, now that our hands are full in South Africa. Whatever her designs are, we cannot but wish the plucky little Island Empire success.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.