JAPAN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1191, 2 February 1864, Page 3

JAPAN.

The accounts of the bombardment of Kagosima are now complete. The British lost thirteen men killed and fifty wounded. The IWyalus, which led the line, lost her capta in and commander, and her total casualties •were ten killed aud twenty-one wounded. She was hulled ten times, and her masts and rigging cut to pieces. The vessels engaged were the Euryalus, Pearl, Argus, Perseus, Coquette, Havoc, and .Racehorse. The first two only are frigates. The Japanese ammunition appears to have been of a superior quality. The forts mounted ninetj'-three guns and mortars. The ships were 450 yards from the fort. It is God's mercy, say the daily press, that the w r hole fleet were not sunk. Satsuma had the best United States guns and ammunition. His batteries were armed with 13-inch and S-inch shell guns, 50 150-pounders, 10 80-pounders, and of the remainder none were of less calibre than 32-pounders. We suppose the wind and rain, and the determined attack at close quarters, caused the confusion ; for if one shell caused such damage to the Euryalus, what would 100 have done ? and how all the rest came to miss her is marvellous. Without a land force Admiral Kuper could do nothing further, and as Satsuma evinced no desire to negotiate, we left for Yekohama on the 16th to refit.

The Anglo-Chinese journals remark it is difficult to aav what must be our next steps. A severe engagement has been fought with complete success, but the object of the expedition is as far from being attained as ever. Apparently, it only remains to threaten Yeddo with a similar fate to Kagosima, and under terror of our guns to compel the Tycoon to exert his authority to induce Satsuma to comply with our demands. But the latter is reported to be as powerful as the Tycoon, and may rely securely on the support of the Mikado, if he persists in his obstinacy. Without an army it appears likely that we shall be unable to bring matters to be as satisfactory as were those with China before the signing of the treaty of Pekin. Admiral Kuper has not half enough force.