JAPAN.

Southland Times, Issue 614, 4 January 1867, Page 3

JAPAN.

Japan papers to the 16th instant are to hand. The Overland Mail states : — " The death of the late Shogoon has been officially proclaimed. Stotsbashi, second son of the late Prince of Mito, and Prime Minister to the defunct Shogoon, was named heir by his dying master. He has not yet, however, received his commission from the Mikaeo. We hear from authentic sources that he has himself taken no steps towards assuming the dignity, and it is reported that he has announced his intention of deferring the question until the conclusion of the war i with Chiosiu, when he will solicit the vote ofthe Daimios for the young Owarl, a boy of eight years old, and legitimately the '. next in succession to the Shogoonate. '. This is by no means improbable, as Stotsbashi is perfectly well aware that at the present juncture the accession of another minor is almost out of the question, and he will therefore, while disarming oppo-

sition by this move, stand a good chance of having the Shogoonate pressed upon him by the great Council and the Mikado, and succeed peaceably to that high office. It is, on the other hand, however, quite possible that a change in the whole system of the Government of the country may take place, and that the Mikado may resume the command of his own armies. The war continues, but Chiosiu's troops have been twice routed. "An embassy is about to start by the next mail (English, or Prench we know not), from Stotsbashi to the Emperor of Bussia. The envoy of the Tycoon is Koide Tamate no Kami, Governor of Hakodadi, and a newly appointed Governor of Poreign Affairs. He takes a portrait of Stotsbashi to the Emperor, and a letter, stating that he would have desired to have seen the Czar in person, but as his affairs here are so very urgent, he sends his Minister, who will present to His Majesty his picture. The object is to define boundaries, and arrange the Saghalien difficulties."