Japanese decision and arrogance are both illustrated this week by
a singular story. Two Americans were at Kobe, on board a French steamer belonging to the Messageries, and the Japanese received information, true or false, that they were about to enter the Chinese military service. They accordingly boarded the steamer, arrested the Americans, and, in spite of the remonstrances ,)f the French Consul, carried them away. We suppose, if the steamer was within their waters, they were in their legal right ; but the French are not likely to sit quiet under an act of violence, which recalls the Mason and Slidell incident. Human beings are not contraband of war; nor can foreigners be arrested anywhere, because they intend in a distant harbour to take service with a belligerent. Of course, if the Americans held Chinese commissions, they must accept their fate ; but that does not appear.
