The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-27 00:00:00

CHINA.

The following is from the China Mail of Dec. 14 :
The news for the past fortnight is of an encouraging
kind, both as regards China and Japan. In the lat-
ter country, both foreign and native officials are
showing the most anxious desire to avoid every
kind of hostile collision between the people of Japan
and the traders from the West; and in furtherance
of this object, rules of the most specific character
have been framed by our minister there for the
guidance of English subjects at the various ports of
trade. The Japanese question has, in Mr. Alcock's
mind, reduced itself to a choice of two courses. He
argues, in one of his ponderous circulars, that our
object in Japan is to trade, and that we have before
us the choice either of trading peacefully or of doing
so amid continual alarms and complications, which
have been found to endanger our very residence in
the country, and thereby to give a highly preca-
rious character to our commercial relations with
Japan. It is, he argues, when traders begin to be
travellers that the popular hostility is evoked ; and
although he should gladly allow those under his
protection both to trade and travel, he cannot do so
any longer, having arrived at the conclusion that,
in Japan, as regards foreigners, the one is incom-
patible with the other. The strictest rules have ac-
cordingly been decreed by our consul for the con-
finement of all his countrymen within the limits of
the various foreign settlements. Excursionists,
sportsmen, and men of similar kidney, will there-
fore follow their favourite pursuits under most un-
usual difficulties, in order that every species of pro-
vocation may be taken out of the way, and such
cases as that of Mr. Moss may not recur to harass
the officials as this case is likely to harass Mr.
Alcock, unless a jury can be got to see it in the de-
sired light. As regards excursions into the country
producing feelings of resentment on the part of the
Japanese people, Mr. Alcock has had more personal
experience than any man in Japan, and certain
other of the consuls have acquired a most unen-
viable notoriety by the scandalous incidents
connected with their travels. The night attack
upon the embassy at Yeddo, after the overland
journey from Nagasaki, is now generally read in
this light. The upshot of these consular escapades
has been the rules and regulations we allude to—
ten in all. They are in effect :-1, Against furious
driving or riding. 2, Against neglecting the rules
of the road. 3. Against discharging firearms in
any but specified limits, to be hereafter fixed by the
joint authorities. 4. Against pursuing game with-
out a license from the consul. 5. Against entering
any native house without an invitation (a flattering
rule for Englishmen). 6. Against offering violence
to Japanese officials (the Moss case). 7. Against
persisting in any outrage after being warned to
desist (the consular scandal case), or refusing to
produce a card with the consular seal affixed, when
charged with the commission of any offence; the
card being supplied to every Englishman for the
convenience of affirming " his identity." 8. Against
residing for even a single night out of the foreign
location, without written permission from the con-
sul. 9. Imposes a fine of 200 doll. for a breach of
these rules. 10. Imposes a similar fine for allowing
Chinese servants to ride out alone. In addition to
these rules, a communication from Takemoto.
dzosioeno Kami has been promulgated, illustrated
by engravings, setting forth the particular marks
of costume by which a Japanese official may be
known etid respected (also a result of the Moss dis-
turbance). Then follows a rule against servants
going out with open lights, and so endangering
such buildings as are not fire proof. And lastly
appears a memorandum from the Japanese official
above named, forbidding the native merchants to
take money from foreigners until they have given
over the value agreed upon. The notifications are
published in the Japan _Herald of Yokuhama (late
Nagasaki Shipping List).
Our advices from Peking are up to November
26th, at which date all was quiet, and the inter-
course between the native and foreign authorities
proceeding in a most satisfactory manner. Mr.
Bruce had quite recovered from the effects of his
late fall, noticed in our last summary of news.
There appears not the slightest reason to doubt the
entire good faith of Prince Kung in his friendly
and it is quite possible that, before the young
policy,Eper
Emperor attains his majority, a strong government
m
may rule in Peking over a peaceful land.
But while expressing gratification at the Prince's
disposition towards foreigners, we have nothing to
boast of on our side ; w
ova courtesy for courtesy anescy;n
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the
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fa i dn
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