NEWS FROM JAPAN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5581, 17 February 1879, Page 2

NEWS FROM JAPAN.

(own correspondent press agency.) Yokohama, 12th December. A marked sign of the encroachment of modern civilisation into our ancient conservatism is manifest in the numerous actions for libel which have been recently instituted against the native Press. No less than five have been commenced during the past four weeks against different native papers. The hopes entertained that the accession of Soyeshima to the Government, and the consequent reforms which had been so confidently anticipated, have not been verified. It is now understood he will not join the Government; and, further, that tho Government now intend to check all expressions of opinion on public affairs.

The Korean difficulty has been complicated by the murder of a Japanese who had strayed outside the limit of Fusan. This is much to be regretted at this particular time in view of the attitude of Russia and China in tho Kashgerian, Mongolian, and Manchurian questions. The future coinage of silver will be confined to silver yen (dollar). The organisation of the Japanese army is to be changed. The army on a peace footing will be 31,680, to be increased to 46,350 in war time. The total number of persons engaged in the Kagohinu rebellion has been ascertained to be over 70,000, of whom nearly 40,000 have either been killed in battle or executed.

At a meeting of silkworm egg dealers at Nichi Nichin it was resolved to subscribe 17,000 dollars to provide necessary expenses to export 120,000 cards to foreign countries out of the quantity left in their hands, and destroy the remainder. The Government are being urged as to the necessity of improving the indigenous growth of the tea plant by mixture of exotic plants from India and China, as it appears that the Japanese tea plant seems to be “ fatigued" (“ run out”) and to require ft healthy and vigorous crossing.