JAPAN AND CHINA NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5335, 21 December 1878, Page 5

JAPAN AND CHINA NEWS.

AGENCY" CORRESPONDENT. ] Yokohama, October 24. A good deal of jealousy is being expressed at the approach of Russia to the northern frontier of Japan, it being considered that the exchange of Sakhalin for the Kurile islands was a mistake on the part of the Japanese Government. Kumouis are being freely circulated that an attemot is to be made to secure the person of "the Mikado for political purposes. The statement that torture was practised upon the Tokimineers, to make them confess, is exciting a great deal of unfavourable comment. The statement is made by the native papers. The returns of the foreign trade of Japan for the year 1577, shew a total decrease of nearly 5^000,000 dollars. This is attributed more to the fall in the valuo than in the diminution of the quantity exported. Exports in rice, however, shew an increase of nearly a million and a-half. There is also a decrease in the number of foreign residents. Floods and land-slips, with considerable los 3 of li'e aud destruction of houses, are reported from several provinces. Thirty-five bridges have been carried away in one disfcriefc. A violent earthquake visited Hakanite. A native paper says that 297 otter skins sent to England by the Agricultural Department have realised £3700.

Secrt-t societies are said to be in formation in order to bring abaut a change of Government. This feeling of dissatisfaction is said to have been greatly strengthened by the Government appointing to high office unpopular persons. An export duty of 10 cents per picul ie to be put on rice from Ist January next. Thin is done in consequence of the unfairness of the land tax, the owners being compelled to pay according to the extent of their land, instead of upon its productive capacity. The result of the military meeting at the capital has been :—53 private soldiers were executed, 115 sentenced to ten years', 48 to three years', 7 to two years', and 18 to one year's imprisonment. Only three were acquitted. The condemned men were shot to death in batches of fifteen the following morning after the sentence. The execution occupied four hours. Government paper currency is rapidly declining in value. Asiatic cholera is said to be prevalent in Nagasaki and has broken out in Yokohama, while diphtheria has broken out in the province of Ise, and, owing to its appearance, the Mikado, who is making a tour of the country, has altered bis route. Salmon has been successfully placed in some of the rivers, and more eggs are

wanted. The export of silkworms' eggs is becomiug considerable. Continental buyers are purchasing largely. Ths American ship Look-out, 1000 tons, was drive ashore, near Katsusima, in a typhoon. Three of the crew were drowned trying to get ashore in. a boat; the rest of the crew were saved by means of a line which they managed to get ashore and a "boatswain's chair."