The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-02

OHf linn DEK u, lOOc.-lnl
Latest from China and Japan.
We published yesterday letters from our
special correspondents at Hiogs Bay, June %;
Tientsin, june 80; Shsnghae and Hong Kong,
July IA, and Yokohama, July Is. The letters
from japan announced the vigorous resump-
ton of hostilities, the capture Of Jeddo by the
adherents of the Mkado, BY whom nearly Q
third Of the city had been burned; the opposl-
ton to them on the part of three large armies
one at Osaka, another at Kioto and the third
daily expected at Jeddo-the disturbing fuo-
tuations in the money market, and rowing
match between the crew of the United States
steamer Oneida and that Of the British steamer
Zebra, off Hioga, in which the Americans
were twice the winners-an Offset, suoh % 1t
is, to the recent defeat of the Sappho. ~.
The letters from China complain, apparently
with reason, of the irregularlty in the trips Of
the steamers of the Pacific Mail Company.
They announce the discovery Of gold and silver
mines in the neighborhood of the open port Of
Cheefoo, and state that the arrival Of Mr.. J.
Ross Browne was anxiously looked for, in the
hope that he may prevail upon the authorities
to open the new coal mines in the north,
which are still closed to foreigners. The
wreck and loss of the steamship Benares on
the 23d of May are mentioned. The appoint
ment of three Americans in the civil service is
noted as suggestive sign of the times. Other
interesting particulars are given, and the
letters both from China and Japan illustrate
the increasing intimacy between the inhabi-
tants of the United States and those of the
remote countries on the other side of the
Pacific. The news from Japan is specially
interesting, as tending to confirm the predc-
tons of the HERALD that the late Tycoon, the
representative of our modern ideas of progress,
will probably be successful in his struggle
against the Mikado and the reactionary adher-
ents of the latter and may yet become the sole
recognized ruler of Japan.
The Peace Question I'm Europe-Frauce
and Spain.
By one Of our latest cable dispatches we are
made aware that a prominent member of the
reigning house in Spain has been sent to Paris
ON most important mission. The Prince Cir
GENT, by birth and by his recent marriage a
prominent member Of the house of Bourbon,
has arrived in Paris. His mission, it is said,
is to assure the Emperor Napoleon that in the
event of his engaging in war against Prussia
Spain would undertake the guardianship Of
Rome and the Holy Father, on condition that
the Emperor will bind himself to protect Queen
Isabella and her throne. If true, it is funny
proposal. From one point of view it is ridicu-
lous; from another point of view it is full
of meaning. Queen Isabella cannot maintain
her own position; therefore her promise of as
sistance to France is absurd. But Queen Isa-
bella, maintained on her throne, will lend all
her help to France. Therefore her proposal
to France is deeply suggestive.
What is the lesson? 1t is neither more nor
less than this: that Europe does not believe
in the peace intentions Of the French govern
ment. Spain, the most helpless and the most
needy of all the European nations, has not
been able to keep silence any longer. Trem-
bling for the immediate future, 1t seeks in ad-
vance-and, therefore. betrays the situation
to make the best terms possible with France.
1t is no business of ours what France may do
with Spain. We have again and again told
Napoleon what he should do with that country
but the present movement Of the Spanish gov
eminent is proof sufficient that, so far as Spain
10 iu1u Erporaa 10 fho ~
We have no hesitation in repeating what we
have said before-that the necessity of France
and the welfare Of Europe equally point
to an early and terrible war. France,
which periodically must let off certain
amount Of blood, has reached that stage once
again in her history when she must either have
civil war or fierce struggle with one or more
of her neighbors. Michelet, in his excellent
history Of France, says that his country needs
periodical bloodletting, and that II II has Il not
in one way it must have it in another. The
time for such bloodletting seems again to have
arrived, and it is not difficult to see which of
the two ways is more to the advantage of the
present ruler of France. A foreign war, If a
civil war is to be avoided, has become an abb
solute necessity to France necessity felt
equally by the people and by the government.
The welfare Of Europe is equally concerned
in this matter. War burdens are being borne
by oil the nations. The fear of war is
felt to be a heavier tax on industry and
capital than war itself. Matters have reached
o point at which there must be either war or
general disarmament. Of the two war Is in
fnitely the more probable. Whether we shall
have or shall not have war will depend very
much on the course which the elections now in
progress shall take in France. If the early
symptoms are unfavorable foreign war must be
considered certain. Napoleon il bent above
everything else on establishing his dynasty.