JAPAN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5534, 21 December 1878, Page 3

JAPAN.

(OWN CORRESPONDENT PRESS AGENOT.) Yokohama, October 24.

A good deal of jealousy is being expressed at the approach of Russia te the northern frontier of Japan, it being considered that the exchange of Saghalien for Kurilo Islands was a mistake on the part of the Japanese Government.

Rumors are freely circulated that an attempt is to be made to secure the person of the Mikado for political purposes. An attempt is being mado to form a society with the avowed object of establishing a representative assembly, which Bhall possess some voice in the government of the nation. The statement that; torture was practised upon the Tokio mutineers to maka them confess is exciting a great, deal of unfavorablo comment. The statement is made by native papers. The returns of foreign trade of Japan for 1877 show a total decrease of nearly 5,000,000d015. This is attributed more to a fall in value than to the quantity exported. The exports of rice, however, show an increase of nearly 1,500,000. There is also a decrease in the number of foreign residents. Floods and landslips, with considerable loss of life and destruction of houses, are reported from several provinces. Thirty-five bridges were carried away in one district. A violent earthquake visited Hakodate. A native papor says that 297 otter skins sent to England by the Agricultural Department realised £3700. Secret societies are said to be in formation in order to bring about a change of Government. This feeling of dissatisfaction is said to have been greatly strengthened by the Government appointing to high office unpopular persons. An export duty of 10 cents per pioul is to be put on rice from the Ist January next. This is done in consequence of the unfairness of the land tax, owners being compelled to pay according to the extent of their land, instead of upon its productive capacity. The result of the military mutiny at the capital has been that 58 private soldiers wereexecuted, 115 sentenced to ten years, 48 to three years, seven to two years, and 18 to one year's imprisonment. Only three were acquitted. The condemned men were shot to death in batches of 15 the morning after the j sentence. The executions occupied four hours.

The Government paper currency ia rapidly declining in value. The American ship Look Out, 1000 tons, was driven ashore, near Katsusima, in a typhoon. Three of the crew were drowned trying to get ashore in a boat. The rest of the crew were Baved by means of a line which they managed to get ashore and a " boatswain's chair."