Never before perhaps in the annals of this Empire has the great festival of Kigensetsu—the anniversary both of the Empire's foundation and of the promulgation of the Imperial constitution—beon celebrated under circumstances 50 a peculiarly calculated to, jnvpire all loyal subjects with patriotic pride and joy. In the Imperial palace there was, a grand tiffin to the Diplomatique and' fo Japanese civil and military officials the country. There is a growing hope in Tokio that the national development, qrhich the present. war typifies, will not be contised to naval and military activities The "Restoration" of Japan is now more thin, thirty years old, and new blood is iégnant, Much. is hoped of the rising generation, Incidentally, the 12th inst. Etsrked the second anniversary of the Parliamentary announcement of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.
'The Port Arthur Engagement. "ign 'Sfileial dispatch' from' Vice-Admiral Togo: states that in the actions at Port 'Arthur' on' the 8th and 9th inst., the damage Histained by the "Japanese fleet was very diminiahied. us ce cacaltios included alight and its fight city remains un-three officers killed and seven wounded Lieutenant-Commander Yamamaka, chief of the battleship Fuji, succumbed to his duty. The Fuji sustained comparatively serious damage, but her hull is safe.
The Chemulpo Affair.
Yhe Japanese residents at Chemulpo have applied w the Tokio Woreign Uttice 1or permission to refloat the sunken Kussian war ships Varyag and Coreetz. The proposal embodies the idea that the accessories belligerent character recovered shall be presented to the. Government and the other articles shall be offered for sale, and the Proceeds be contributed Ww the Jayxnese War Funds.
Russia's Mobilisation.
'The Agence Havas, wires Dr. Motono, Japanese Minister in' Paris, published a telegram sent by Viceroy Alexeient to Gene Kuropatkin under date of the 9th inst.
ram states that the Viceroy, in ce pliance with the Czar's instructions, ordered the mobilisation of the Russian troops in the Littoral: Province, Kuangtung Vrovinco and Saghalien Island, mobilisation commencing on the 19th inst.
Held up.
The German steamer Emma, which entered Yokobnina on the 10th inst., was detained by the gunboat Amagi on the Lith, the Customs otticials having discovered that sue carried dynamite bound for Vort Arthur, but was subsequently released. The Russian steamer Yotik, recently stopped by the Amagi, has not been released. who Prize Court was lately established under the presidency of Viscount ¥, Tanaka, Privy Councilo Up to date the Japanese navy has obtaus seven prizes, including the Volunt steamer Hkaterinoslay.
The Imperial military headquarters have been established at the Imperial Court, Tokio, but will be transferred to Kioto, A Friendly Act.
the ready acceptance by the U. S. authorities of the responsibility fur Japanese interests in Manchuria and Kussia has caused much gratification in Tokio. the Gov ment has already communicated to Washi; ton its sincere thanks, and the leading papers here all refer in terms of gratitude to wis expression of American sympathy.
The Departure of Baron Rosen, Prior to the withdrawal from Tokio of Baron Rosen and his suite, the proxies of 'T. M. the Emperor and Kmpress repaired to the Russian Legation with farewell messages and gifts. Baron Rosen is personally regarded og one of Japan's best friends. Ihe Kokumin" writing of his departure, said: "Our countrymen retain personally unmixed good will towards the Russian Court and the Baron, and so Jet the Baron depart with an earnest God-speed from them."
Clearing the Corean Atmosphere.
In accordance with the request of AM. the} Hayashi, M. Pavloff, the Russian represeatative, has already withdrawn from Seoul.
may be necessary to ask all foreign representatives to withdraw in the near future and until military operations are over. The Exchequer Bonds.
The flotation of exchequer bonds for 100,000,000 yen, was officially announced day. They are to be redeemed within years, at the rate of 5 per cent interest per Annum. The enhancement of the diferent taxes was originally proposed to amount to 50,000,000 yen, but it is now likely the Government will ask the Legislature to double this sum, according to the suggestion of certain veteran statesmen.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.