The Shanghai Correspondent of the Times forwards a curious document
illustrative of public opinion in Japan. It is a memorial forwarded to the Japan Privy Council, by per- sons apparently powerful enough to secure the publica- tion of their prayer in the official Gazette. The writers allege that they have heard that the Chinese are collecting a fleet to expel the Japanese troops from Formosa, although the Pekin Ministry had stated that they had nothing to do with the island. If this rumour is true, Japan is deceived, and " our rage and gnashing of teeth at this thought are beyond the power of words to express. Not even by trampling to powder the 400 Provinces of China and massacring the inhabitants would our iron hearts be satisfied. How could we show our faces before the nation as faithful retainers, if we did not devour the flesh and skin of the Emperor of China?" They therefore demand that Soye,shima, the Ambassador, should again be sent to Pekin to de- mand a full explanation ; and if this is not satisfactory, that war should be declared on China, her provinces crushed, and her Emperor's flesh and skin be divided among the soldiery. These mild representations have not yet produced war, but they serve to show the temper of the armed class.
Previous page
