CHINA AND JAPAN

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1791, 17 November 1879, Page 3

CHINA AND JAPAN

["By Tbleqbaph.] [cobbesfondent of pbess agekcy.l NGA.SAKI, September 8. The silk season being about over, the few transactions that have lately taken place were in an uncertain state and the markets at a declining figure. Freights were never known to be so low on the China and Japan Coasts as they are at present. Many vessels are running at rates barely sufficient to defray current expenses. Cholera is on the decline, but the death rate is still high. The number of cases in Japan up to 2nd August was 31,647, of which 23,350 were fatal, and 13,243 persons were still under treatment. The quarantine regulations are now somewhat relaxed. A somewhat unfriendly feeling has been engendered between China and Japan, over the late act of the Japanese Government in forbidding tribute to be paid to China by the Loochoo islands. Active jurisdiction over the islands has now been assumed by Japan, but it is not expected any rupture will ensue. The revision of the treaties between Japan and foreign powers is now being actively proceeded with. The Russian steamer Nordenskiold, sent to the assistance of Professor Nordenskiold, the Swedish circumnavigator, was wrecked on the Island of Yesso, on the north of Japan, on August sth. All hands were saved. A good deal of anxiety was felt as to the result of the voyage of the Vega from Europe via the Kana Sea, Siberian Arctio Ocean, and through Behring's Straits. She was 294 days in the ice. The shortest day was three hours* daylight. The cold was intense, averaging 46 centigrade. There were no deaths and no sickness. The expedition was rich in interesting discoveries and scientific results. Professor Nordenskiold states that the voyage from Europe to Asia by Behring's Straits is practicable for six weeks out of every twelve months. HONG KONG, October Bth.

The British barque Orange Grove took in a large quantity of opium at Macao for shipment to the Australian colonies. H.M S. Kestrel bombarded and destroyed a piratical village at Labuan, North Borneo, occupied by two tribes, who in former days used to issue from the Phillippines and Sulu Islands, snd carry fire and sword along the coasts of Borneo, and sometimes as far as Singapore and the Malay Peninsula. The theatre of their depredations has been much curtailed by the British, Spanish, and Dutoh settlers in these seas.'and many of the former markets for their peculiar produce (slaves) are now dosed to them. The nature of the operation of these piratical tribes has also been changed by circumstances, and they confine themselves now to kidnapping fishermen engaged in the collection of beche be mer, tortoise shell, and other produce. Commander Edwards invited the chief of the village to come aboard, promising he would not be molested, but he pretended illness, and refused. He was then informed that this non • compliance) was regarded as complicity, and that the village would be burnt down after the lapse of an hour, which was allowed to enable the inhabitants to move out of danger. The village was fired, and fifteen pirate boats, some of them constructed I with bullet-proof fighting bulwarks of ironwood, were destroyed. The Sultan was well- ' pleased at the punishment inflicted, and promised to send an expedition that would completely break up the piratical nest. The steamer Hoching left Shanghai on September 30th with a cargo of coolies for Honolulu. The Woosung Bar has become so bad that it is common to have a number of vessels waiting for a favorable tide to cross in or out. An agreement has been concluded between Russia and China, so that the Ohinete troops now stationed on the frontier are to be allowed to settle down. The Russians, it is said, demand five million tael as their share of the arrangement. The Chinese negotiators offer two millions. They are not agreed as to the amount of compensation. The Aningho, a junk ostensibly carrying grain, but really landing tea, was surprised by a Government cruiser, but the junk managed to escape. The tea, however, was traced to a merchant, and he was ordered to be beaten on the mouth, and remanded till the appearance of the agent who managed the business, and who absconded. There is a great and visible saarcity of population in the once doneely populated Valley of Shansi.