The Daily Astorian

China and Japan.

From Japan and China papers of the latest dates, received on Friday by the Columbia we glean the following:

"It is not long since that China was on the brink of a collision with her powerful Russian neighbor, and prepared herself as much as possible for such a contingency. That difficulty having been mutually arranged, the government of the Celestial empire have turned their attention to the matters which have been in abeyance for a long time between China and Japan. Being comparatively better prepared for war than her neighbor, China has considered the present a fit opportunity to rake up the difference in connection with the Loochoo group, and to avenge the Formosan insult. The Viceroys Li Hung Chang and Tsen Kung-yi were deputed to inquire into the circumstances which have given rise to the dispute. Such an able statesman as Li Hung Chang doubtless soon discovered, if he had not known before, that his government had not the remotest ground for basing a claim to the Loochoos. But he is sufficiently sagacious to know that such an opinion from him would not have much weight with the war party; hence he took a middle course, and proposed that the group should be divided into two, one-half to belong to Japan and the other to China. China is taking a decided stand for what she considers her rights. A very little more strain will snap the peaceful link asunder, and the arbitrament of the sword will then be resorted to to settle the differences. The prevailing opinion among foreigners is that the Chinese have a bad cause.

In China the death of the eastern Empress has given hopes of the anti-foreign party to accede to power. The life of the western Empress is considered to hang only by a thread, and should the predictions of her early demise be unfortunately realized, there will arise an immediate necessity for the appointment of a new regent. The present Emperor, Kwang-su, quite a child, always feeble in mind and body, and now in precarious health, is a fitting instrument to be the outward sign of the policy of an ambitious statesman; a specious ladder by which a daring usurper might ascend a throne. It is not, therefore, to be wondered that the political atmosphere of Peking should be dark with rumors of intrigues for offices and appointments. The Prince Chun is expected to succeed to the post of regent upon the death of the western Empress. This prince, it is now said, has considerably changed his views in regard to foreign policy, and should he succeed to office will be found more amenable to reason in matters in which foreigners are concerned, than from his previous expression of opinion, could be expected of him. The emperor of China is ill of either the measles or small pox. Four of the most powerful statesmen and warriors of the state are at the capital at this juncture, and what course events may take is a grave matter of conjecture. The obsequies of the late western Empress are being rapidly carried forward, and the funeral will take place this year"