The frst three notes that follow are from che "Eastern World," and the fourth from the "Japan Gazette"
The rat market in Kobe is booming, says the "Kobe Chronicle," since the price paid by the City authorities has been raised from 2 to 5 sen per head, the number of rats purchased has amounted—in three weeks—to 165,327, against 25,020 purchased between the 27th July and the 28rd October.
The " Yorodzu Choho" has made some very grave charges against Marquis Ito, which we do not think it prudent to repeat. But either Marquis Ito or H.I.M. the Emperor must take steps in the matter. So much seems to be certain. Things appear to have come to a pass where the Emperor must emerge from his seclusion and take an active and decisive interest in the affairs of his Government. These charges in the Press against the Prime Minister and Minister Hoshi point to more than appears on the surface.
In reply to 2 question by the Tokio correspondent of the "Kobe Chronicle," regarding the adoption of the gold standard by Japan, Mr. Okura, the well-known merchant and government contractor said "Tt was a fatal mistake. When the question was first put before the Higher Council of Commerce and Manufactures, I opposed it. Ihave seen no reason to change my opinion. Japan's largest trade is with China, which is a silver-using country, and therefore it is the natural order of things that we suffer. Japan now finds it very difficult to sell goods to China, All the advantages we had in the silver-using period are fast disappearing. Wages are rising, and other a vantages being swept away j we are more exposed to competition from Europe and America. What protection the silver gave us is now gone. If Japan developes her manufactures rapidly, the tables might be turned in our favour; but as things go now, the situation fills one with despair. The nation must, concentrate its energy on manufactures if there is to be advance. In no other period has Japan been placed under greater necessity than now to employ improved machinery and to conduct her manufactures on a thoroughly scientific basis."
According to the vernacular press, Mr. Hoshi is said to be doing everything in power to induce Mr. Kai to withdraw charge in the Tokio Chiho Saibansho with regard to the Waterworks scandal. It is stated that Mr. Hoshi has already spent no less than 20,000 yen in order to effect the withdrawal of the prosecution charging him with having received bribes. So far, however, his attempts have proved unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the examination of the persons concerned in the scandal is progressing apace, and it is alleged that the Court finds it necessary to arrest Mr. Hoshi and other persons against whom the charge is preferred. It is even rumoured that the resignation of Viscount Katsura, Minister of War, is owing to his desire to impeach Mr. Hoshi, but as it was feared the impeachment of a member of the Cabinet at the present moment would endanger the existence of the Government, the Viscount has been compelled to tender his resignation. Baron Kaneko's visit to Marquis Ito. at Atami is believed to be in connection with the Hoshi affair. What transpired at the interview can only be conjectured. Some say that Marquis Ito has instructed the Minister of Justice not to take steps to prosecute Mr. Hoshi, while others assert that the Premier refused to interfere in any way with the discharge of judicial functions and told Baron Kaneko to leave matters severely alone. At any. rate, the affair has entered into an extremely delicate phase and further developments will be awaited with keen interest.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.