Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/371

 1899.] Asia. — Japan. — Siam. [363

would offend Russia and injure China. The mission, moreover, was discredited by the Tsung-li-Yam6n, and, finally, by the Dowager Empress of China, and the envoys left Tokio (Aug. 19) without any definite results.

Lord Charles Beresford's visit to Japan produced an excellent effect, and everywhere he met with a most cordial reception.

The Japanese Navy was largely increased this year by the addition of torpedo-boat destroyers and cruisers. The battle- ship Asaki, launched on March 13 at Glasgow, was the heaviest battleship ever built on the Clyde, and had a displacement of 15,200 tons, with an armament entirely of Elswick design and manufacture.

The revised treaties concluded between Japan and the various foreign Powers came into operation on July 17 ; France and Austria, however, retained their consular jurisdiction till August 4. The Mikado, in view of the advent of the new era of " mixed residence/' had issued beforehand a rescript enjoining upon his subjects the observance of courtesy and tact in their relations with foreigners, and orders were issued by the heads of various departments of the Government to their officials to the same effect. On October 28 the Emperor gave a grand com- memorative banquet, when he expressed his appreciation of the friendliness and regard for justice shown by the different foreign Powers in acknowledging the autonomy of Japan. Every pos- sible effort to ensure the smooth working of the new system was made on the part of Japan, and the foreign residents were reconciling themselves to the change. Some twenty-two addi- tional ports were opened to foreign trade under the new treaties.

Prince Kanoy6, President of the Japanese House of Peers, visited England in May, and afterwards made a tour on the continent. The leading Japanese statesmen, including the Marquis Ito, Count Okuma and the Minister of Foreign AJfairs, M. Aoki, were anxious to secure British co-operation in support of mutual interests in Far Eastern affairs. There appeared to be no foundation for any belief that Japan was preparing for conflict with Eussia, for the best of terms existed between the two Governments.

The report of the British Legation at Tokio, published in June, stated that last year the total foreign trade of Japan amounted to 45,249,039/., of which the imports were 28,304,743/. and the exports were 16,920,694/., being an increase over 1897 of nearly 5,500,000/. in imports and 250,000/. in exports. Trade with the United States greatly increased, coming next in import- ance to that of Britannia, or the British Empire. There was an increasing share of Japanese vessels in the foreign trade of the country.

VI. SIAM.

The King granted this year to Prince Chow Sai a franchise to build seventy miles of railway from the Menam Biver to