Speculation is now rife in Tokio, asin other places, as to the date of the fall of Port Arthur. Iam still unable to disclose any particulars as to the Japanese operations on land and sea in the neighbourhood of Port Arthur, but may note the impression in well-informed circles is that the doom of the so-called impregnable fortress is imminent. The gateway for junk communications on the western coast of the peninsula was already closed by the oceupation by the Japanese of that region. Word has just been received from a private source that the Bayan lately strack a mine and was badly damaged, but could not be docked, as all the docks were then occupied by four damaged destroyers.
The Question of Corea, Marquis Ito, G.C.B., has at last announced that' he regrets he cannot comply for the time being with the wish of the Corean Emperor, that he shall again visit Seoul. The status of Marquis Ito is too high for him to act the part of Lord Cromer in Egypt. Under the present chaotic circumstances in Seoul, his presence there mightinot have the desired effect. All the more important is the stable" and dignified attitude of the Tokio Foreign Ottice and the Japanese Representative at Seoul. The foundation of Japan's policy in Corea has been laid upon the conclusion of the Japanese-Corean protocol in February last, and Japan has now only to enforce the' principles involved in that compact. In regard to the proposal for the reclama tion of waste land in Corea, the utterances of some English papers in Japan are incorrect. Truth to tell, the reclamation proposal was drawn up at the personal roquist of H.M. the Emperor of Corea. The waste land which the Japanese syndicate has applied for permission to cultivate is the private property of the Emperor, but not a State asset. The realisation of the. scheme would be to the advantage of Corea and would certainly tend to the. consolidation of the imperial treasury. The objections. raised. by,, the ive officials are solely due to misay/pre-pensions and the improbability of obtaining on their part any share in the: proceeds. The Japanese authorities fully expect: to put the scheme in force."
A Comparison, Commenting on'tlie recent reacticéiary movement Seoul, the Japan "Adver-riser " says that its feeling upon the general subject of the quandary in which Jupan'is placed with reference to, Corea, is'-closely akin: to: the sentiment: Louey Hea in America as to the treatment. of the ' Philippines. The problems confronting the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.