When the Japanese were in the town the Russian Administrator, who that morning only had flown the special consular flag of Russia, hauled it down before their eyes and hoisted the tricolour of France. The men regarded the incident without betraying the least feeling. They stood at the gates of his house with pistols ready, and patiently waiting the advent of a person in authority. When a Japanese officer did arrive, he was only a lieutenant; the Russian Administrator would not see him. The lieutenant did not insist, nor did he complain of the French flag, but he ordered the gilt eagle, the symbol of the dominion of the Tsar of all the Russias, which is upon every Government building in Russia, to be taken down forthwith. A Chinaman removed it from the pinnacle above the Administration building. Next, word was conveyed to the late Governor that he must leave the town. He was conveyed in privacy across the river by the pilot launch, and a private car was placed at his disposal by the railway officials. Every consideration was shown to him that the attention and foresight of the new authorities prompted as due to his official position. The Japanese appear to possess a talent for organization which amounts almost to genius. In a few days the visitor would have believed that they had been in military occupation of the treaty port for months. Their officials came as though at the call of some conjuror, and fell into their work at once, work to which some of them were well accustomed, as they were merely reinstated in their former positions. The Yokohama Specie Bank reopened; the Japanese special war notes were redeemed; there was a censor appointed, and he could always be found. The Russian undesirables were requested to remove from the town, and did so. Drinking saloons closed because there were no customers, and the shipping in the port increased. The Japanese transports arrived with troops, railway material and rolling stock. Japanese schooners laden with provisions and stores thronged the river. Everywhere were administrative officials and military guards, intent upon their work, neglecting nothing and doing everything intelligently. Again the streets were lighted, lanterns were seen flitting through the thoroughfares at night. The Chinese merchants brought back their families, and the town entered upon a new era of activity and prosperity. The Chinese made some “squeeze”; the first morning after the Japanese invasion I walked along the Chinese Bund and found nine-tenths of the frontagers busy with their fences, always moving them nearer the water’s edge and stealing a few feet from the roadway. Some more boldly fenced in long and broad stretches of footway; roads were closed, short cuts and passages were sealed and taken into the adjoining compounds; the individual was enriching himself at the expense of the public.