The New York herald., 1868-04-27
Battles on the Highways, in the
Streets Of Cities and on
the Water.
Fire by Frerch TrOors on the Natives at
Osaka O d Fatal Effects.
Cooperation of American with
European Forces.
OFFICIAL PROCLAMATIONS AND NOTIFICATIONS
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALD.

The French Fire on the Natives Mt OsRkn-
Five Persons Killed and Bitter Feeling
Against Foreisners-Landing Of Armed
Americans and Europeans-Japanese Re.
talIation and American Seaman
wOunded-Naval Captures by the Allies
Flag of Truce from Satsumu-Charge of
United States Marines and Its Results-COn-
ference at KObe-Rule of the DaimiOs-
Hopes of the TycOOn-Trade i'm the New
Ports.
UNITED STATES STEAMER ONEIDA,(
HARBoR OF H1oGO, Japan, Feb. 20 1868.
Matters are in very unsettled condition in this,
your antpodes of the habitabe globe. Intestine
is ravaging the farest portions OF the Japanese
pire; mighty revolution, or, more properly, rever-
sion Of power, is in progress, which opne is des-
tined to sweep across the face of the empire and
wipe out the Shogoons or TycoOns power and title,
perhaps for ever. The Mikado, In the ancient time,
welded the supreme powers, both spiritual and tenn
poral, over this mighty empire the temporal power
was in time legslated away from him and trans
ferred to the hands of public functionaries, ulti-
matey being wrested from the latter and assumed
by the former Tycoons, who have had for a long
period full control Of the army, navy, political and
financial affairs, while all still bowed to the Mikado
rs supreme ruler.
4 i Will here state that the present political con-
don Of this empire and people Is well illustrated by
that Of Englands history under King John and the
powerful barons. Each prince and damiO formerly
owed a mere nominal submission to the Tycoon
being almost supreme in their own prlncipality-
which the great majority OF the most powerful have
now cast or entirely, and declared for the MikadO
assuming all his former powers, supreme In mat
ters temporal and spiritual the Tycoon having by
some means rendered his government obnoxious and
inimical to many of the princes For this purpose
the refractory princes have marshalled their several
afain 1cIano
a few princes Of remote and inferior power still cling
1ng to the fortunes Of the Tycoon. The Princes Sat
suma and Chosiu, holding sway in this district,
marched against Osaka which they carried after
succession Of engagements. Hiogo and Kobe fell to
them by default, the troops having been with.
drawn Tor the defence OF Osaka. Many Of the
towns in the western part OF the empire, on
Niphon are reported to have been carried against
the Tycoons power while the southern portion of the
empire-viz. the islands Of Kinsin and Sikoke-have
yielded a hasty and bloodless submission to the
Mkados forces the Tycoon's governor and officials
having fed from thence; many OF the inland pro.
vinces are reported to have also given in their SUBJ
mission, and the Tycoon is represented as driven to
his last intrenchments-the large garrsoned cities,
Jeddo, Yokohama, &c.-which are threatened, and
on which his faithful followers aud adherents have
fallen back to make q final stand. Stotsbashi's
troops, who hold strong position and castle at
Osaka, were so readily defeated and driven thence
and the castle subsequently stormed and fred to-
geher with the palace that the opinions Of military
persons is-which believe TO be the fact from
versatons with natives-that the Tycoons forces did
not fight with ntrepidlty against the Mikado's nag,
which was unfurled by the princes troops
The leading motive OF the present war is I am in
formed, the Tycoon lays claim to all revenues COL
lected In the ports opened to commerce, many of
MI ifv ia tprri sf
the reversionists claim that they should go into the
Golfers OF the general government many of the ports
opened being within their own territory.
We saw large body OF flame and smoke lowering
over Osaka, twenty miles distant by water, on the
ID inst., which continued burning all day and night
native report says:-"On the 2sth ult. Stotsbasbi
marched from Osaka with the greater part OF his
troops in the direction OF Kioto He was met on the
road by the forces OF the Prince of Sasuma and
eral engagements took place resulting In the utter
defeat Of the late Shogoon, who returned TO Osaka
lie subsequently abandoned the citadel, withdraw
ing his garrison and rs reported to have retreated
on board Of hts ships OF war, which has left for
some destination not known. The foreign repre-
sentatves and all the European residents evacuated
the city and have taken refuge board the menof-
war now lying or the mouth OF the river. Satsuma's
troops are reported by the Japanese TO be marching
upon Kobe and native officials as well rs many OF
the people are prepared for immediate tight. no.
tincaton has been issued by the japanese govern
ment at Kobe informing foreigners Of the reverscs
suffered by the Shogoon and recommending them
10 embark at once on board foreign ships, as their
lives and property can no longer be protected The
Consular authorities incline, however TO the opinion
that the Prince of Satsuma favorable to foreigners
and has no intention OF attacking them aud have.
therefore, to the conclusion TO await the fur.
ther course OF events.
Satsuma's residence in the immediate nelphbor
hood OF the foreign settlement at Osaka is burnt
down, and with II goods the property of the Dutch
Trading Company of the value OF $4,000, which had
been stored there some time previously. The losses
of the other foreign residents have been confined
principally TO their personal effects.
An occurrence took place at Osaka which viii tend
20 create bitter feeling against i0reiRnerS. body
of French ntdteiots curdbinters Ia charge Of q non
commissioned officer, out on reconnaissance al that
place TO protect their citizens and others In embark
ing and removing their effects, were mobbed and
stoned, receiving severe conusiOns, when they fired
two voeys point blank into their assaants, killing
i've and wOundng many. some OF the English force
ON q similar duty also got stoned when leaving III
their boats. All boats were pressed into service by
the foreign residents In this emergency. On the
same day the victorious army frod another town ON
this bay, about ten miles this side Of Osaka, over
which volumes of flame and smoke arose all day
and night Their line Of march Is towards this
place, and the foreign residents are under constant
apprehension OF their advent at any moment TO carry
IRE and sword into their midst. The principal part
OF their valuabes has been removed on shpboard
for safety.
on the 2d inst. the Oneida and IroquOls anchored
within shelling distance OF this place opposite the
American consulate, where we have marine guard
stationed Some OF the English fleet have also come
close I'm shore, opposite the British consulate having
like object In view anu have marine guard ar
the British consuls, and II ~ understood that conn
bined movement will be made 10 resist any attempt
TO destroy this place. In the meantime we await
events prepared.
on tie morning Of the 81 inst, boats from The
American, English and French vessels landed party
that entered the circular granite fort between koUi
and Hioeo about four miles distant, destroyed IN
powder and locked up the fort, which was ungar-
risoned, the troops having been Withdrawn some
days before and marched through here for Osaka.
They passed through quietly and did not interfere
WIN foreigners In any way, many Of them utternI
ihe word Ohio to our men, which Is Their mos
friendly form OF salutatlon.
On NE morn nq Of the lth inst our captain and
some OF cur officers with two boats crews being on
shore, body OF about three hundred Japanese
sonilels, as usual marched through the streets o.
n,AIn