The Express.
London, England, 1864-11-09 00:00:00

JAPAN.

OPERATIONS OF THE ALLIED FLEET.
DESTRUCTION OF JAPANESE FORTS.

The Chine Mad (Hong Kong) of Sept. 27 con-
tains the following account of the operations of
the allied fleets in Japan :

We have already alluded to the probability of active
measures being taken to open up the Inland sea of Japan,
which is one of the highways of commerce in eastern
waters. Some few years ago this sea was made use of by
vessels of different countries, on account of the facility
it afforded for communication between Nagasaki and
Yokohama. The western entrance to the sea of Japan is
guarded by the Straits of Shimonoseki, which are so narrow
that any vessel passing through them is liable to
be suoceesfully fired upon from either side. It is now more
then a year since the experiment was actually tried ; and it
will be remembered that, in retaliation, various vessels of
war went to the place and temporarily silenced the bat-
teries. Since that time the dispute has remained in abey-
ance ; but the interval has been employed in considering the
best means of settling it.
The Tycoon of Japan, who seems to be alternately power-
ful and powerless, could in this cue afford no relief ; and it
was therefore determined, wisely enough, by Sir Rutherford
Alcoa, to take immediate manures for opening up the
Anita to the free navigation of every country. This was
by no means easy of accomplishment under ordinary circum-
stances ; but the very strong naval force at present in this
part of the East offered an opportunity of forcing the neces-
sary concession, and Sir It. Alcoa went to work at own-
In conjunction with the French, American, and Dutch
authorities, he despatched an expedition to the Straits of
Shinionosaki, in order to accomplish the common object
of opening the inland sea to foreign nations. The
vessels of war detailed for this undertaking were as follows :
English : The Bayous, the Persona, the Argus, the Coquette,
and the Bouncer. French : The Semiramis, the Duplaux,
and the Tanned*. Dutch : The bietalien-Oros, the Djambi,
the Medusa, and the Amsterdam. The American minister,
having no vessel of war at command, chartered the Ta-kiatig,
on board of which the United States flag was displayed, in
order to show that America was acting in unison with the
other powers.
On the sth of September, the fleet having previously
anchored off Shimonoseki, an attack upon Prince Negates
forts was oommenced, which ended in the destruction of
two batteries on the eastern extremity. The Japanese
fired some shot and shell during the attack, but without
any serious effect. Not more than seven vessels of the
allied fleet were engaged in the attack. On the following
day (Sept. 6), shortly alter daybreak the Tartar and
Barcasa were in action, having been ch►llengd by the
fire of some Japanese forte further on, and in half an hour
they succeeded in silencing the guns. Shortly afterwards,
however, the firing was renewed, and arrangementa were
made for landing the marines. The men were put on shore
at 9.30 a.m., along with contingents front the French and
Dutch vessels, and is about twenty minutes the forts were
taken. The Perseus went on shore while protecting the
landing parties, but continued to do service notwithstanding ;
she was got off 36 hours efterwards, the Barosaa having
stood guard over her all the while.
The storming party were assailed with various weapons,
including arrows ; and it was remarked that the latter
made nasty wounds. The struggle at this time was tough ;
Captain Alexander of the Euryalus was among those who
received severe injury.
Oo the 7th instant, at daybreak, four vessels of the allied
squadron moved on to the forts at Hakusima ; but the suc-
cesses of the previous day, and the play of the Armstrong
guns, induced the occupants of these forts to retire. The &-
roan and Leopard took charge of the captured guns, spiking
some and taking others on board. Soon after this (at 8 a.m.
on the 7th September), a flag of truce was sent off in a boat
under charge of one of the Japanese who had lately been in
England. In the muse of the day the signal of truce was
hoisted all over the fleet ; and it is reported that Negate is
quite willing to open ►he straits and treat foreigners civilly.
It issue affirmed that he has offend to open ports for
trade upon his territories, and we can only hope he is
sincere.

The total loss sustained throughout the entire fleet dues
not exceed 100 killed and wounded, that of the English
squadron being 15 killed and 49 wounded. We are not in
possession of the names of those who suffered ; but, as de-
spatches from the admiral go home by this mail, the details
will no doubt be fully given in the regular official form. No
English officers have been killed, but one or two are badly
wounded.

When the forte were destroyed, the Prince of Nagato's
officials stied for peace, saying that they would agree to
whatever terms might be proposed. A guarantee, it is
reported, wee taken from the prince, by which he binds
himself to pay any indemnity that may be demanded.
This is rather vague, and seems to imply that
Negate Is ready to promise anything in order to
get rid of the allied fleet. The latest advice' state that "a
move is about to be made towards Yeddo." We can only
hope that the recent successful operations have not led to
expectation' on the part of the British minister which are
too high to be realised. The progress of negotiations with a
country like Japan must be slow, and any wanton em ploy went
of force will be a bleeder under almost any circumstances.
So far as c►n be learnt by native rumours a civil war is at
present going on in the interior of the country ; and it is
supposed to have arisen out of the foreign question. The
fighting is said to be between noble and noble ; but native
rumour is unreliable.
H.M.S. Severn is io Hong Kong harbour at present,
bound for Japan, and, on her arrival there, it is likely that
Admiral Kuper, who Is well pleased at the success of the
late operations, will return home to England.

(RELTER'S TELZGROIB.)
SAFETY OF THE SAXONIA.
sourii4.lll"TON. Nov. 9.

A telegram received here from Falmouth, dated
8 o'clock last night, says that the steamer Saxonia
is steaming slowly up Channel, with machinery dis-
abled. She is expected to reach this port this even-
ing. The Bavaria has been detained to take on Ler
toads, passengers, &c. to Hamburg.