25 JULY 1868, Page 3

It is reported, by telegra l ph from Japan, that the Mikado

has reissued the old laws against the conversion of Japanese to Chris- tianity. This means, we presume, that he has threatened all converts with death, a penalty actually inflicted, we believe, only in Bokhara and some Arabian cities. If this is really the mean- ing of the law, there is trouble in store for Japan, for France will never endure the execution of a number of converts, even if we do, which is, to judge from all experience, more than doubt- ful. The day is passed for autos-da-fe, though imprisonment for conversion is atilt endured in Spain and Russia.