19 SEPTEMBER 1863, Page 3

The news from japan is, as usual, important-, but unintelli-

gible. The Princes, or one or two of the Princes, have, it appears, fired into a Dutch vessel, the Medusa, the American -steamer Pembroke, and the French despatch steamer Kien- ehung. The Tycoon is still friendly, and it would appear that the assaults are directed entirely by the great Dainties. Indeed, according to the Indian papers—whose information from China is usually better than that of the European press— the Daimios are declaring themselves independent, the Prince -of Satsuma holding his islands, the Prince of Mite South Nipon, and so on. Should this report, as is probable, prove correct, the very first touch of Western civilization will have -shattered the carefully constructed Japanese Empire into frag- ments.