CHINA AND JAPAN

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 266, 8 June 1868, Page 3

CHINA AND JAPAN

San Francisco, Cal., March 31. The steamship " China," from Hong Kong via Tokahama, arrived at this port this afternoon, bringing despatches dated at Shanghai, Feb. 27. w The Shanghai Steam Navigation Company held its annual meeting in February. They paid all debts and have fourteen first-class steamers running to Hankow, Tientsin, Chee-Too, Ningpo, and Hong Kong. A large amount of the success is due to Norgtyson, late president of the company, who goes home in the steamship " China." The company have purchased three more steamers, the " Expre»,s," " Manchua" and " Wario " —now due from New York. A stock dividend of fifty per cent upon the old shares of 1,000 taels has been declared ; new stock is to be issued at 100 taels per share, and the old stock can be converted into new stock at a pro rata proportion. Pekin advices received overland say the Mahomedan rebels and nienfei (common robbers) have united their forces. Tho river Pei-Ho is open to Tienz.ing. The winter is very mild in all parts of China. A heavy failure has occurred among the Chinese customs banks at Hankow, striking a fatal blow at Chinese credit with all foreigners there. The Consuls of the United States and England have addressed the Viceroy of the province and will lay the matter before their Minister at Pekin. There is no hope of foreigners recovering their losses however.

The United States Asiatic squadron is stationed as follows:—The corvette " Shenandoah " at Shanghai; the " Ashuelot" has left for Hong Kong and the rest of the fleet is at Japan. Captain Febiger has been transferred to the *• Shenandoah. A great fire had occurred at Too Chow. The United States Consul's building was destroyed with all the Consular archives. Bishop Wilmerding, of the Episcopal Mission at Shanghai, had visited Hankow with reference to establishing a mission there.