CHINA AND JAPAN.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3095, 18 January 1879, Page 2

CHINA AND JAPAN.

(Pee Pbkss Agency Coebbspondent.) Shanghai, November 28. The Marquis Tseng, the newlyap-j pointed Chinese Minister to France and; England, left Shanghai for Europe two days ago, taking with him hit wife and family. Great interest is taken by the Chinese; in the Afghan affair, and a telegram which reached here yesterday states that Sir Thomas Wade, instead of coming direct to Chica, will proceed to Lahore to confer with the Viceroy as io the attitude of Russia and China with regard to the possession of Kashgar. This telegram is exciting a lively interest among the Chinese, and it is believed in very high official circles that an alliance may be come to between China and England to oppose the advance of Russia in Central Asia. If Bussia should openly support Sbere AH, and England be in need of outside help, China might prove no insignificant auxiliary. The British schooner Barbara Taylor, and an Italian vessel, have been lost,on the coast of Corea. It is believed 'no lives were lost, and it appears'the ship* wrecked crew were kindly treated by the aatives. The result of the boring operations near Tientsin are very satisfactory. A depth of 216 feet has been reached, and three seams of coal have been struck. The working of these coal mines will have a serious effect on the importation of foreign coal, besides, probably, leading to the establishment of cotton mills, and similar industries, in China. Indeed, a large

building is now being erected near Shanghai for a cotton mill. Native-grown cotton is of a very superior kind, and cheap, and it is thought may be worked up into materials suitable for the Chinese, and sold at a lower price that imported goods of a similar class.

A serious affray occurred on board the American ship Goldhunter last week. The police went on board to arrest some of the crew; the arrest was resisted, and the captain armed himself and his officers, and attacked the police. A brisk fire on both sideswwars r kept up.' The clet wire ultimately driven into the forecastle. Owing^ probably to the darkness of the night when the affray took place, no lives were lost, but several were wounded. Next dayrthe U.S. Consul-General sentenced four of the crew to eighteen months' imprisonment, with hard labor. Very serious floods are reported ihltKe province of Shantung, caused by the fellow Hirer bursting its banks. Whole Tillages hare been swept'away;/and the sufferings of the people are fearful. „ Yokohama, Noreniber 11th. The Mikado has just. returnedfrom an' extended tour throughout the.provinces of his Empire. He was detained several times, and compelled to make circuits,iri consequence of heavy floods and cholera having broken out on his line of route. The rumours of imminent political changes, for some time current, are daily becoming more clear and defined; and in consequence of the widespread insubordination in the regular army, new Minister of; } War isjto^6; appointed. : The editor of a native paper has been sentenced iW ' one year's imprisonment because he gave publicity to a rumor In the capital that four of the Ministers had resigned or were about;toidoso* though he added that he believed the rumour to be unfounded. ■■"--' -i: .'•<■ ; ■•;? •■•' -s The cholera, which prevails at Nagasaki is not of the malignant Asiatic type, and does not cause any serious alarm, but at other places the cholera appears to be more fatal, in character, there being a good many deaths.' " " m, -, A Japanese stekm Tessel, the'Tokushima ■ Maru, buiJt < to run between Osaka and Aiva, left the 1 former place on the 28th October, and the: same day was blown to pieces by an explosion of powder which was on board. Eighty-three passengers and the crew of 12 were lost. The explosion pbiourted offTsnnda, witnm sight of land. Those; who 1, witnessed it say that in a few, moments there was no vestige of any thing to be seeQOQ the surface of the water./'; "! ( ','; '.'.,,:,J :".T /, ; The Japanese Government caused a survey of the coast of Cprea. ' Criminals condemned to imprisonment are not now. allowed to read newspapers, though formerly* allowed to do so. ,;, , ; j,t It has been ascertained that the total number of rebels who joined Sargo's flag last year was 15,885 r. Of these, 117' were leaders of divisions. .'■■-;■' <n-1-. .■-: .hikvi■:!"}.

The Japanese Government are taking great trouble to prevent opium-snaking, the punishment for Which is now dleath. f" , The absorbing top 6£ last "weak "is?!tn> depreciation in paper currency, nominal quotation being 13|- per, cent, discount, and the fluctuation in price of the MJexican dollar, which has fallen to 3s 7d, the lowest ever realised.