The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-14 00:00:00

INDIA.

We take the following from the Calcutta Eng-
lishman of Jan. 9 :

" There is nothing new to report since our last of
the 6th, via Bombay.
" The following General Order has been issued by
his Excellency the Governor-General of India in
Council, dated Fort William, Jan. 6 :
" ' His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-
General, in Council, has great satisfaction in an-
nouncing to the army that he has received the autho-
rity of ' the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for
India to declare that the rules hitherto in force with
respect to the grant of pay and allowances at the
full or half-batta rates are abolished, and that from
Jan. 1 all officers, non-commissioned officers, and
men in receipt of regimental pay and allowances,
wherever stationed, will draw such allowances at
the full-batta rate.
,4 2. The above order in no way affects existing
rules in regard to the rates of pay drawn by officers
of the Staff Corps, or by officers holding staff ap-
pointments.

" H. W. NORMAN, Colonel.
Secretary to the Government of India."

CHINA.

We take the following from the Overland China
Mail of the 31st of December :—" Affairs in Japan
wear a doubtful aspect, but the balance seems to
incline in favour of European influence. With
regard to the murders of Major Baldwin and Lieut.
Bird, we have to record that two Japanese have
been executed as accomplices in the offence. It is,
of course, not easy to ascertain whether or not those
men were common felons produced and decapitated
for -the sake of appearances ; and the proceeding
evinces a desire on the part of the Japanese to
conform to the usages of civilised life. We
have likewise to record the assassination of two
French sailors at Yokohama. It appears that the
men had become riotous on shore, and had been
set upon by a crowd of armed Japanese and killed.
Although it is alleged, truly enough, we suppose,
that the men were in a state of intoxication,
yet the result proves that there exists a party among
the common people of Japan strongly hostile to
foreigners. The other item of news with reference
to Japan embrace the report that the batteries at
Simonosaki are in course of being rebuilt, and that
one of our gunboats has gone to the straits in order
to ascertain the truth of the report. Turning to
China, there is actually nothing of political impor-
tance to notice. The Imperialist possession of
Nankin seems at present to be the trump card in
the hands of the authorities ; and it may well be so.
None can doubt that the occupation of theMings'
capital by the Taeping rebels was a sore point with
the Imperial Government, and now that it is once
more restored to their possession we can easily
enough understand the feelings of gratifidation that
must have ensued. The well-known Tseng-kwo-fan
has been left to protect this city from further attack,
and to organise matters with a view to the future

prosperity of tradal pursuits in the city and sur-
rounding districts. It is supposed that he is expected
to be called to Pekin, there to receive extraordinary
honours on account of the successful termination of
the rebellion ; but the authorities at the capital,
either through jealousy or policy, have ordered him
to remain at his post for the present. We hear little
or nothing of the_ dispersed rebels, and it is not
at all likely that they will ever be able to show a
formidable front. So far as we can learn, the Impe-
rial Government are duly impressed with the value
of British assistance, and will not hesitate to
acknowledge their obligations, and in some degree
to reciprocate the favours extended to them."