NEWS FROM JAPAN.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1538, 22 January 1879, Page 3

NEWS FROM JAPAN.

[By Telegraph,] [from the correspondent of the press agency.] Yokohama, November 30. The question of an entire change in tho present form of Government, and in its place tho establishment of popular representation, is assuming very great importance, bub there is great difference of opinion as to what should bo the nature of the elective qualification. Some of tho returned students from America and Europe are in favor of nearly pure manhood suffrage, but the more Conservative Japanese are advocates of a high educational and property qualification. The proposed reforms do nob find favor with tho leading members of the Mikado’s Government. Some are in favor of the absolute rejection of any scheme of reform. The Mikado has just returned to Tokia, after a prolonged tour in the provinces, where he was well received, and he may be congratulated on the genuine loyalty displayed at his return in safety. It was hoped that on his return many important changes in the personnel of his Ministers would have been made, but as yet there has been no announcement.

Tha great mass of the people! in Japan undoubtedly look to Soyeshunia to carry out any great measures of reform, and it is believed that tho Mikado himself is desirous to secure the support of a man of ability so popular with the people; but his views on representative government are far too advanced to suit those of leading members of the Government, who consider any movement in that direction at least premature, if nob a political error.

The epidemic of cholera, which raged in parts of Japan last year, has forced upon Government the necessity of establishing quarantine or some system of preventing the introduction of disease from foreign countries. In the meantime Government have opened an institution near Yokohama, where suspected vessels will bo subjected to examination, and if necessary to disinfection. A severe shock of earthquake occurred on the 22nd inst. It seemed to be a continuous wave travelling E.S.E. to W.N.W., and lasted one minute. The shock was distinctly felt by vessels in harbor.

The Japanese Government have authorised the issue by a Japanese publisher of an edition of the book of Genesis in Chinese, prepared for the Japanese by the American Bible Society. This is the first authorised portion of the Scriptures published in Japan. At Tokia a new association has been formed under the patronage of some loading men. It is called the Patriotic Prohibitive Society, and its object is to arrest in this country the consumption of all foreign products, whatever be their quality, and however good the market from which they may bo procured. All the members have pledged their honor in a solemn manner not to make use of these productions under any pretext, and to use their utmost influence with the authorities to prevent their introduction into the country. The right of resorting to torture to compel accused persons to confess their crimes, or to accelerate the evidence of refractory witnesses, is still recognised by the “ Codes,” and while the Government recognise the wisdom of abolishing practices which have failed elsewhere, still it seems they are under the impression that on official declaration of such resolve would be inexpedient under the conditions now ruling in this country. The American ship Coldstream has Lc v n very seriously injured by 4 f e whtlo sue bad over a thousand cases of kerosene on board. Owing to the prompt assistance afforded ’ey the captains and crows of H.M.S. Juno and H.I.G.M.S. Loipaic, the lire was extinguished, but not before a thousand cases of kerosene had been destroyed.

Trade is very dull. Tim danger of hostilities between Japan and Corea « becoming imminent. In 1870 two conc ' luc J ec j a p rca *y 0 p

arm commerce, and soon after u trading station was established at sVsan. During Mm latter part of 1&77 the Corcan authorities, evading the stipulations of the treaty of 1870, levied taxes to the amount of 20 per cent, on all goods pussing info tire interior from the Japanese settlements, and a corresponding duty on the produce sold to Japanese.

Settlors, 0 us finding tlieir business interrunted, have made demonstrations and appealed to the Japanese Government for prelection, and, in consequence, the Luigei Kan, an ironclad corvette, sailed for Corea a few days ago with the Secretary to the Foreign Department. The result of his mission will be watched with much anxiety.