The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-17 00:00:00

CHINA AND JAPAN.

We take the following summary of news from
the China Ocerland Mail of 27th August :
" Japau has been the subject of some anxiety during the
last fortnight, and theta are not wanting prospects of speedy
hostilities in the Straits of Shimonoseki, which forms the
Gibraltar of the Inland Sea. Matters may thus briefly be
stated. On or about the 25th of July last two Japanese
ambassadors' reached Yokohama by the mail steamer.
Both were dressed as Europeans, and had been for three
months in England, whither they had been sent, they
affirmed, by their master, the Prince of Nagato.
Shortly after their arrival, two of her Majesty's vessels
of war (the Bsrossa and the Cormorant) got up
steam, and proceeded to the Straits of Shimonaski
with the two men on board. There were also on
board an engineer officer and some French and Dutch offi
eers. This was the first visit paid to these Straits by any
foreign vessel for about a year, and there was some reason
to suspect that Nagato had in the interval strengthened
his fortifications. There is every reason to suppose that
this suspicion is correct. Whatever errand the two ships of
war went upon—we hear it was to demand the opening of
the Inland Sea—they returned without having accomplished
it. All their demands met from the Prince of Nagato an
absolute refusal. The ambassadors' were put on shore at
their master's territory. In consequence of what passed it
was at once arranged that the combined French, L'nglis,
and Dutch fleet should leave Yokohama about the 2lth inst.,
to see how far it was possible to enforce their demands upon
the Prince. The fleet intended for this service consisted of
16 English, two French, and four Dutch vessels of war, a
force somewhat more formidable than that employed at
liagosima, but of questionable use against the forts and
forces of Nagato, should he prove to have increased in mili-
tary strength during the past year, which it is to be feared
he has to a very considerable extent.
A battalion of Marines will embark with the fleet from
Yokohama leaving chat port defended by the 20th Regi•
went and detachments of the 67th. There have also been
ordered up from Shanghai 100 men of the 67th and 150 Be-
loochees. As an additional protection to the settlement her
Majesty's ship Conqueror and the United States steamer
Jamestown will remain at Yokohama.

" The fleet about to sail 12 days after the date of our las
Japan advices (Aug. 13) was to rendezvous in the Bango
Channel. where her Majesty's ships Perseus and Osprey
would join them from Shanghai, with a supply of coal in
sailing vessels which they were ordered to escort. It can-
not be sooner than the middle of September before hostili-
ties commence, should matters ever come to that pass ;
and, from the extent of the operations, there is some
reason to fear the worst. Large as these preparations are,
comparatively, they are much too insignificant, in the
opinion of well-informed judges, for the purpose of putting
our relations with Japan on a liberal, permanent, and satis-
factory footing. For this purpose a land force of not lees
than 15,000 is said to be needed; and if we should wait
another year, while the Japanese continue to mature their
the, y ,
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a reference to
own preparations, a force of 20,000 men might be unequal
to the task of obtaining what we desire. Meantime, these
are all the latest authentic items of news from Japan, and
the state of the country. That China can never be at perfect
peace is a problem which we need not attempt to solve. Its
Government has been called a despotic government, but
s
there is no country in the world where the peace of the em-
pire depends so much on the goodwill of the people, and of
this few are better aware than the mandarins themselves

The Taoping rebellion has been one of the worst sores conse-
quent upon the pride, haughtiness, and self-sufficiency into
which the Chinese rulers had fallen (from Hien Fung down
to the lowest civil officer) that has for a long time puaished
the sins of the governing classes. It was in itself a malady
that would never have resulted in political purgation—an
ulcer which foreigners wished to keep clear of by 30
miles at least, and which they have shown the Chinese
how to cure. The physician has hitherto got but scant
thanks from his querulous patient, and the next matter of
curiosity will be to see whether China's renewed vigour
will be used in our favour or against us. Several questions
have been waiting solution for some time, chiefly with re-
gard to treaty rights ; and those questions have been defer-
red on account of the trouble attending the Taeping re-
bellion.