The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-12
still Closer TO Asia.


Our special correspondence from Japan and
China published this morning, celebrates in i'm
pOrtant detail the telegraph news from both
countries, dated at Yokohama TO the 4th of
June and Shanghae to the 18th of May, which
appeared in our columns q short time since.
The writer's report the origin and progress of
the reactionary CONFUSION produced against
the Mikado Of japan by the aristocracy and
hierarchy after the abdicatiOn of the Tycoon,
calling attention at the same time to the man
ner in which the movement had already
affected the foreign interests in the chief ports
of the empire, and its probable future influence
in bar to the opening Of the territory to outside
civilization.
From China we have the latest mail intelli-
gence respecting the demonstrations of the
Northern rebels against Tientsin, news of the
disgrace of the most talented and formidable
of the imperial generals, useful notes of the
tendency of British diplomacy, advices Of the
efforts which are being made by the Emperor
to encourage railroads, with very cOmprehen-
sive commercial and naval reports.
This special correspondence reveals the
fact that hoary prejudices, coupled with feudal
selfshness. alone prevent the complete
''opening" of Japan to Christian enlighten-
ment, material development, and a conse-
quent Increase of the wealth and happiness of
mankind. These barriers will soon disappear
however. The present reception of our letters
indicates the emaDfipating agency-steam
The Japan correspondence was posted in
Yokohama, forwarded by steamship to San
Francisco and travelled thence by overland
route to New York-reaching the HERALD
establishment within thirty-seven days from
the seat of the Mkados government This is
enough for the moment
Health Of tho City.
The geographical situation of New York is
admirably favorable to the preservation of the
health OF its rapidly increasing population.
The winds that sweep through it from the I'M
rivalled bay below and from the rivers on each
side daily purify the atmosphere, and a single
shower washes away more filth than the most
faithful and energetic contractor could remove
4 in week. At the last meeting of the Board
( Of Health. however. two evils seriously detri-
mental to the public health were quite properly
denounced-the bad and insufficient food, to
which the recent lamentable increase in the
mortality of children must be directly attri-
buted, and the poisonous odors from the gas
works that spread disease and death through
out the whole region between Fourteenth and
Thirty fifth streets. The latter evil would be
remeded by the adoption Of the new magne-
stun light so highly commended by Professor
Doremus in late number of the HERALD.
The former evil demands the immediate atten-
ton of our authorities to the suggestion of
Commissioner Smith in favor of the publication
OF a series of rules for diet. to be distributed
among the poorer classes Of citizens who live
in tenement houses. This suggestion has been
referred to the Sanitary Committee, with power
to act in the premises.
II is not too late to insist also upon the i'm
portance of all requisite means to guard against
the danger of the importation of contagious
diseases, such as the yellow fever the cholera
and other plaques. We trust that the Board
Of Health will not relax its vigilance and that
this year we may again escape every form Of
pestilence.