The recent dissolution of the Japanese Diet is reported to be considered in Europe as " means of strengthening the hands of the Government and as helping to er sure the peaceful conclusion of the negotiation pending. But such an inference is not necessarily correct. The dissolution was not previously designed by the Govern ment, but was only made inevitable by the extraordinary situation presented by the careless action of the Lower House. Truth to tell, even those who are responsible for the recent obnoxious reply t" the Throne would scarcely hive intended such far-reaching consequences. The dissolution was indeed a su: cide of t' e House.
Japan in Corea, The incidental dissolution of the Re presentatives his entailed upon the" Katsura Ministry double responsibility for the satisfactory settlement of the pending negotiations, which apparently. constitute for the present Gorerament a question of life and death. I am anthoratively informed thit the Tokio authorities concerned are now determined speedily to promote the proper arrangements in Core" without. reference to the outstindin ponrpatlers with Russia. As for th prompt completion of the Seoul-Fnsa Railway, inter xlia, the Government ix more eager than the Company themselves to see this aco "plished.
Extraordinary Means, Despite the recent dissolution, the cost of such imperative works, justified by the pressing need of the day, will be provided by extraordinary means. The nationalisation of the tobacco industry bill will be presented to the extraordinary session of the Diet, which will meet in May or June next. As to the sum of compensation for th" machinery and tobacco held in stock, the Government is understood tu be inclined to accede partly to the wishes of the existing private dovers. Under the revised Lill, the plan will be enforced from the 1st October, 1904. The agitation recently started against the ministerial scheme is now subsiding.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.