The New York herald., 1868-12-17

stion in the government and he is said to be at
present in Kioto and an armstlce and general par
don are on the cards since the Mikado mas outgrown
the regency, the Tycoon cannot consistently ac-
quesce In the punishment OF the princes champion
ing his and who have virtually raised him 10
his present position one of the chief advisers OF
the Mikado. Instead OF visiting Jeddo at the ap-
that event until after his coronation and in the
Interim it is understood, sent some oIricers
there to ascertain the state ofpubic feeling which
presume was unsatisfactory, he has gone on
visit TO Prince Dwarf, who Is of the rokugawa clan
and chief OF one OF che three houses from which the
Tyco0ns have ever been elected. and who was
stanch adherent OF the Mikado throughout He Is
regarded by the Northern princes with the greatest
de;esaton IN consequence Reports are confirmed
from the west coast that the lycoon's troops in
possession OF most OF the country between Neegata
and Akita. The Southern troops are encamped ON
the northern bank OF river fifteen miles from the
latter place, While the Tycoon's troops occupy the
opposite bank. The steamer Kanga-nokami was
seen sheling the Tycoon's position on two
successive nights. The Kangsoo is at Neegata,
and the town IS In possession OF Satsuma's men.
from lmamatchi to Neegata have been wrecked. and
it Is known The rusyama, the crack ship OF the Mi
kado's neet, has been 1or some time disabled The
Southern fleet, therefore, Is considerably weakened.
OF the Kai-yo-man which with ten other vessels
Surreptlllously left their anchorage or Jeddo the
night OF the 4th instant alter embarkIng 5000 men
on board, nothing Is known; but we have a report
from Osaka that they are expected 10 make an attack
ON KOBE, ana tat great vigilance Is observed there.
On the second instant a force OF s. 600 men
rendered to the Northerners few miles from the
walls OF Shlrakawa. the central stronghold OF that
district This fortress barred the progress OF the
Southern army to the province Of Sendal, to which
there are but two main roads by which an ad-
vance could be made, one the direct road
from Jeddo, the other from the sea. These
two roads were strongly guarded, also the high road
beyond Shiraka in case of any accident allowing the
Southern army TO pass the fortress. This disposition
was as II the Northern troops had thoroughly
nemnled IN the southern forces. While the atten-
tion OF the Northerners directed to the great
highway, leaving some by-roads totally unguarded
latter and took possession OF a place beyond the
Northern lines called Shirasai by which they have
struck the borders OF Prince Sendas territory. They
have thus upset the tactics OF those so strongly
guarding Shirakawa, who were expecting 10 maze
short work OF Their Southern foes. However, 1t is
not the main body OF the army tnat has advanced to
Shirasai, and If the force at Shrakawa keep the op
p sing Southern force IN check Sendai may give a
good account OF those who have got so great tem-
poIary advantage
1t Is stated the Northern troops, who are superior
In physical strength and endurance TO those OF the
South although inferior in arms and discipline, IN
variaby after the first or second fire rush to the en-
counter and by individual bravery decide the battle
knife sheathed in the upper part Of the scabbard OF
his sword, above which projects when that weapon
Is drawn. his instrument, the soldiers inform me-
Is used for the excision OF the eyes OF fallen enemy
as the Indian uses has scalping knife
The Pantuxet, which arrived here on the 18th inst
brought the sad intelligence OF the total loss OF Her
Brlttanlc MaJesty's steamer Rattler seventeen guns
by striking reef Of rocks in Lapeyrouse strait
komanzon bay, north Of the island u Jesse. While
cruising IN the partially surveyed waters northward
OF TINS coast on the Atn ut, at SIX A. NJ, on Cape
ripple on the water to indicate any approach
ing danger. the leads IN the chains at the time
indicating seven fath0ms OF water, she struck a
reef OF submerged rocks not mentioned on any pub.
lished chart strenuous efforts were at once made,
engines reversed and every available measure
adopted In the endeavOr 10 get her of, without the
sgntest success, IL being quickly discovered that
and crew and everything movable belonoine TO the
ship being safely landed before she biiged. mes
sage was at once despatched to Hakadadl for assist
ance, and after fourteen days OF anxious waiting on
short rations, hts Imperial Majesty's ship Duplex
hove in sight, took them all on board and brought
them to this port on the nth inst The officers and
crew speak highly OF the great kindness they expe
rienceo at the hands OF Captain Du Petit Thouars
the Kindness extended to them by the natives. who
supplied them with tents, &c.
1t does not appear that the Mikado occupies bed
Oh roses the latest and most suggestive report Is
OF the discovery OF traitor IN his very household,
IN the person Of limo Milo, his uncle which event
has doubtless caused much anxiety TO the conf
dence that may be placed in the fidelity OF the OF
his Cabinet. He was at once banished from cour-
vellance Of officers Of the government.
discovery is said to have been made at Asaka.
terfeted, and their value has fallen 20 naught The
government of1clals are unable TO distinguish the
To ae M ana mas @
ers into fever OF excitement and the foreign holders
insist on their being received IN payment Of their
A railroad connecting Hiogo and Osaka is debated
by the Japanese officials and foreign communities OF
both places, and the foreign concessions OF both
cities fast beng prepared Tor the erection OF
buildings thereon, while trade is looking up. The
council and established q Chamber Of Commerce,
thus laying the foundation OF its future greatness.
journal here, evidently In the English interest,
has somewhat lugubrous article ON the bad policy
OF the Mikad0 in giving the coup de grace TO some
English naval officers employed under the late
Tycoon In giving Instructions TO the Japanese naval
force in navigation, engineering and gunnery, &c in
which 1t hints their future services may not be avail
able II sought. The dismission Of some French
army officers giving instructions In that branch OF
the service is also incidentally drawn In. 1t Is ap-
parentiy advocated In the interest OF economy, re-
counting the loss or four OF tile japanese vessels
bombardng Neegata, through assumed improper
seamanship this speaks badly for their English
MentUs and proceeds 10 compare the salaries Of the
six English oncers dismissed, whose total revenue
amounted to o little over 10000 per annum with
that OF Mr.. t;rlnnell, formerly lieutenant in the
United States Navy and late Of this vessel who has
been appointed by the MikadO inspector OF the
navy yard at Kobe at q salary OF $4,000 per annum
elevation OF American energy and intelligence In the
far East over that OF the monarchies OF the West