CHINA AND JAPAN.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1843, 17 March 1863, Page 3

CHINA AND JAPAN.

[From the Overland China Mail, January I.] No events of importance have taken place in China or Japan during the past fortnight. In the latter country political rumours continue to float about, but nothing authentic can at present be ascertained with regard to the real state of the Government, The nobles continue to leave Yeddo. The English Legation are all at Yokohama, according to the last advices, which reach to the loth ultimo. It is evident that in the present conflicting state of parties among native politcians, while reports of assassinations are rife, the Mikado himself being included in these reports as among those assassinated, the representatives of foreign nations cannot have much official correspondence with the Japanese authorities ; as indeed they can scarcely tell who the real authorities of the country are. The foreign communities are still in a state of expectancy as to what view will be taken by the Western Powers of such murders as that of Mr Richardson. By the decision which is arrived at in this case, will undoubtedly be determined the next position to be occupied by foreigners in the country, although it is far from certain that the Japanese will aot.seek to trample upon foreigners still further. The Russians are said to have a fleet at Nagasaki, ready to join the allies in suppresing the Chinese rebellion. The British forces in China seem to have instructions agaiast quitting a defensive attitude. In Pekin all is quiet. Heavy falls of snow have already indicated the approach of a severe

There is no reason to suppose that our surmise as to Prince Kuug's policy in removing the Viceroy Laou, and the Taoutae of Sbangbae, is correct. It is only too much to be feared that a strong anti- foreign element exists in important quarters, and that Prince Kung cannot quite set it at defiance. There is no doubt that Laou's degradation, in being sent as a special commissioner to the province of Kweiohow, has afforded much satisfaction to a numerous party. His selection for this particular duty is due to the representations of the French, who have made a great deal of the murder of two priests which lately occurred in that province. At less distant places, the French priests have shown a capacity for corning into unjust collision with tbe native population, that induces us to suspect that the men killed at Kweichow may have provoked their fate by their own misconduct. It is certain that, almost before our own eyes, French priests have committed ceitain acts of gross injustice towards the Chinese.

Shanghae continues to be as busy as ever, and to push forward plans for municipal improvements. The neighborhood is perfectly quiet, the " radius" to be defended having been all duly reconnoitred and garrisoned; The Taepings are not reported to have favored the extreme outposts with a visit lately ; they are probably gone in quest of easier victories.

As for the rebels, the little that has been heard of them is to the effect that they are in distress for waut of supplies. . : H.M.S. Bouncer went to Nankin recently, to inquire after some British junks that were missing. Her commander, Captain Creasy, was received by Kan-wang at the east gate of the city, and his inquiries as to the junks were kindly replied to ; he did not succeed, however, in discovering any clue to them. Kan-wang told Captain Creasy that there were 2,000,000 of Chinese inside of Nankin. The walls of the city had been greatly strengthened,butthere were signs of distress about the people. ! Kan-wang asked Captain Creasy for some European soap and candles. Nothing was said as to the rumour that the Taeping leader had left Nankin and gone to reside at Chang-chow, so that the repott must at present be viewed as unconfirmed. Chang-chow is a second class city situated on the east bank of the Great Canal, seventy-five miles from Nankin, forty-five from Chin-keings ft ty-four from Soo-cbow, and 1 15 from SUanghae. It is said that the Bouncer, having' shown, in aptitude for this sort ofserrice, will'pay another visit to Nankin, to demand four sepoys who were taken at Kahding. Captain Creasy will no doubt return without (he men ; but if he can bring further reports of how affairs stand in the Taepiug camp, his errand will not have been thrown away. There is a doubtful morality about this system of espionage, for the Taepings will find that all the information they convey, or which is otherwise acquired by the Bouncer will be used against them. Let those who are really at war with the rebels find their own 6 pies, we have given them ample assistance without helping (hem further by questionable acts of this sort.

At Shangbae, numerous murders and robberies by Chinese have been reported during the lastfortnight. * '■'<■

From Ningpo, we have information to the effect that the Franch contingeut of drilled Chinese have been distinguishing themselves in the neigdborhood of Yu-yaou by atrocities upon the country people.; no details have comedo hand. According to all appearances, there has been a lull in the operations against the rebels in that district lately. The <v Ward" foroes has been recalled to Shanghae, fos service 'against Nankin. All acoouats tend to show that the Chinese possess many soldierly qualities, and are capable of being trained to almost any degree ofmilitary skilT. — •' v