JAPAN.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 373, 4 June 1868, Page 3

JAPAN.

The news from Japan is of the highest importance. The civil war which broke out some months ago continued to rage with great fury, and the country was in a mo3t unsettled condition. The Japan Gazette of March 6th has the following : — Since the departure of the last United Mail steamer, the Great Republic, on the 26th of January, matters have taken a turn in Japan which could hardly have been expected. The Tycoon has been defeated in battle, between Osaka and Kioto, by the allied Dnimios, who were in rebellion, and had to leave on board one of his iijen-of-war for Yodo. The Daimios have secured the person of the young Mikado (henceforth to be styled Emperor) a child 12 years of age. They issue orders in his name, and that places those who disobey them, even though it be the Tycoon liimself, in the position of rebels. At the end of January the troops of the Tycoon and of the rebel Daimios came into collision, and on the 4th of February the news came to Yokohama that the latter had prevailed. At first, success seemed to be with the Tycoon, but a Daiiuio who commanded a large division of his forces traitorously went over to the enemy, and placed victory entirely in the hands of the confederates. The troops entered Osaka and burned the castle of the Tycoon and a number of Government buildings ; the Tycoon making his escape on board the United States ship Iroquois, and ultimately to his own frigate, the Kai-you-raar, which immediately left with him for Yedo. The Foreign Legations were all forced at once to leave Osaka, and make the best of their way to Klobe, where the Governor said he was no longer able to answer for their protection, and recommended all foreigners to find safety on their ships. This was very different from the plans of such men as had the direction of our interests. The Governor, Vice Governor, and all the Tycoon's officials left in a chartered steamer for Yokohama, and Koke was placed under the protection of our own forces, with the determination to hold it to the last. Of course business was but little thought about, the whole design was to retain possession of the footing we had attained. No groat alarm was felt by foreigners, because, although upon the departure of tho Ministers from. Osaka their residences were burnt or ransacked, it was felt that the policy of the ascendant party, whichever it might be, Tycoon or Confederate, would be to bid high for foreign support. It proved so, but not before a collision occurred which showed the spirit that was in foreigners. A high retainer of the Prince of Bizen passed through the settlement with, a retinue of some 150 samoural. To the great man all the Japanese bowed with their faces to the earth ; but the foreigners not doing so, evidently irritated the band, and either without any provocation, or no greater annoyance than their path being crossed by a Frenchman, they commenced an attack by spearing the Frenchman and firing down the street, wounding the American. Quick as thought the American guard from the Customhouse ; the English troops and Legation guard, with Sir Harry Parkes at their head; and a bevy of private citizens, were after them, and they retreated to the hill country, a distance of some tliree or four miles, to the rear of the settlement. On the return of the pursuers, a large force of marines and sailors had been landed from the ships, and the place placed under martial law. Barricades were thrown up, pickets and outposts established, and every possible precaution taken. Even high officers of the Princes were refused permission to pass through the settlement to Osaka, but were politely informed that they must go by the lull road ; and every armed Japanese who was found in the settlement was disarmed. Five ships belonging to the Daimios were taken and placed under the guns of our own ships. Satsuma and Choshin had thus another opportunity of studying the active tactics of foreign forces, and speedily set abou smoothing things over. \ An officer arrived from Satsuma, but was told that the Ministers would confer with none but the Princes themselves. After a few days a high functionary, from the Mikado or Emperor himself, arrived and requested an interview with the Ministers, which led, after a discussion of some two hours, to the end of the state of siege and the acquiescence of foreigners in the altered state of affairs. It transpired that the Emperor, although but a child, was still supreme, and all orders issued in his name must be obeyed throughout the land. Satsuma, Choshin and Tosa are the Princes more immediately having the control of his Government, and undertook the responsibilities with regard to foreigners that had already been entered into. The foreign settlement would be placed under the officers of the Daimois, who would replace those of the Tycoon. The losses of foreigners would be paid by Bisen no Kami, and the great man who was the means of the outbreak should be decipitated. On the departure of the functionary, it was understood that at no distant day the Ministers should visit the Emperor at Kioto. In consequence of the outrage committed by Bizen's men, the foreign men-of-war have seized all the steamers owned by Japanese, anchored in the port of Hiogo. This is because, as stated in the declaration of the Foreign Ministers issued yesterday, the affair concerns not only the clan of Bizen, but all the clans in Japan,