The Press. — London, England, 1857-09-12 00:00:00

THE PRESS, SEP'TVIVI3ER 12,1857. found in its capital. Its frontiers are unceasingly threatened by tribes not yet conquered, or whose sub • mission is at least very doubtful. The state of affairs is one neither of peace nor of war, but of that unsettled nature as calls for some such institution as the Arabian Bureaux, the object of which is the surveillance and protection of the native administra tive authorities acting in the name of France. Thus, a Chef du Bureau Arabe is, speaking in a military sense, a sort of Chief of the Staff, attached to an ad ministrative Aga; but speaking in a civil sense, a species of Secretary• General whose office is to advise the Aga, to give validity to his acts, and to render an account of them to the French authorities. The institution, therefore, is praiseworthy in its objects, and important in its results. A chief of an Arab bureau has, no doubt, a con siderable authority. He has the right of investing himself with all the prerogatives of power, and this right is indispensable in a country which is beyond the limits of the regular jurisdiction of the capital. How, for instance, could we reasonably limit the powers of an administrator on the frontiers of the colony, near, we may suppose, to Morocco? Such a Chef de Bureau Arabe has but a moderate military force at his disposal. He is exposed to sudden hostile attacks, no less than to the deep-laid treachery of the half-conquered tribes which sur round his post. We cannot, in such circumstances, put a limit to his administrative power, for, if we did, we should cripple him at times when he is at the mercy of accidents, and under the pressure of ne cessity. Do not let me, however, be misunderstood. I an not, in taking up the defence of the Arab Bureaux as an institution, meaning to sad a single word in favour of the guilty men who have just been condemned by the Cour d'Assises of Oran. D'Oineau, the principal culprit, was criminal, in that he ex ceeded his powers, and was guilty of the most detestable exactions, ordered executions without any legal excuse, and, to crown all, caused the assassi nation of an Aga, who could have denounced his crimes to the French authorities. But that is no reason to condemn :he Arab Bureaux as an insti tution, and all the less that, speaking generally, they have afforded the most urgent and indispensa ble aid to colonisation, both by the mixed civil and military character of their functions, and by the material aid which they have always promptly given where required. Still, after several years of action, this institution needs reform. The Imperial Govern ment, therefore, is seriously occupied with the ques tion, and I know from undoubted sources that the Council of State is preparing legislative measures Ito be presented to the Chambers, which will effect the necessary improvements in these Arab Bureaux, as well in the interests of the native popula tion as in that of the governing country. Some short time since M. Oscar de Valke, Advo cate-General to the Imperial Court of Paris, pub 'fished a pamphlet, headed " Les Manieurs d'Argent" (money-dealers). M. Mires, who has made a sudden and large fortune in successful operations, has taken up the defence of the great speculators, and has written a long letter in reply in the Constitutionnel, in which he endeavours to show that present specu lations can in no way be compared to schemes, as those of Law in 1717. This letter has pleased the Bulls and Bears of the Stock-Exchange, but the reflecting part of the community differ greatly with M. Mires. They say that it cannot be denied that the fury for speculations is as great and as injurious in 1857 as it was in 1717 ; that these speculations have engen dered a most ruinous tastefor luxuries of all descrip tions, equal if not superior to that of the days of the Regent d'Orleans, and that, if not stooped, will have the same disastrous result. M. Mires may group figures on fistures ; he will' not be able to prove the advantages of uncontrolled speculations, or that it is of advantage to the country that such men as him self have had the ability to acquire in a short time colossal fortunes. The pamphlet of the Advocate• General will do much good, and it is hoped will save many families from ruin. It is with pleasure I can record the universal sym path) throughout France for the sufferers in India. Subscriptions are about to be opened in every de partment, and you may anticipate to receive, ere long, excellent remittances. The section of the railway from Niortz to La Ro chelle and Rochefort was opened to the public on Monday last. The inauguration was conducted with great pomp in the presence of M. Baroche, President of the Council of State. The Bishop of La Rochelle made a most excellent speech on the occasion, in which he said A monk of the thirteenth century wrote the following most extraordinary lines:—" An instrument can be made by which a single man might be enabled to conduct a great vessel with greater ease than is now done with oars. Waggons could be constructed which, without the aid of animal force, could run with an incalculable im petuosity keurrir than' possent fieri ut sine animali mure• antur cum impetu inestimabile,") An electric telegraphic line is now completed between Madrid and Bacelona. These two junior- foreign durrrwitbentt. Plans, September 10th. THE Camp at Chalons attracts general attention, not only in France, but throughout Europe, and visitors are flocking to it from all countries. Chalons and the surrounding villages aro crowded to excess, and with great difficulty can either bed or board be ob tained. The Emperor commands in person, and is most anxious that his troops should show off to the greatest advantage. It is only just to say that their manceuvres hitherto have been performed with the most complete success, and entirely to the satis faction of their master. The numbers of men forming the camp is about 23,00) infantry and 6,000 horse, but it is supposed that they will be in creased to 35,000. The artillery comprises six batteries of horse and six of foot. It is now certain that the Duke of Cambridge will arrive in the course of a few days, but it is not so sure that the camp will be honoured with the presence of the Prince Consort. The baggage of the Empress has already reached St. Cloud. Her Majesty will shortly quit Biarritz, and after passing a few days in Paris will join the Emperor at the can•p, when some splendid fftes will be given, and the grand manoeuvres will commence. The animation of the camp greatly amuses Frenchmen. They require an existence of excitement, and are more easily governed when the eye is pleased. Lamar tine said before the Revolution, "La France s'ennuie ;" he has changed his opinion since the re-establishment of the Empire, and now exclaims " La France s'amuse." The Emperor will leave the camp on the 24th for Stuttgardt, where be will remain forty-eight hours. It bas not yet been decided whether the Empress accompanies the Emperor or not. This will depend on the movements of the Empress of Russia. The few political circles now open in Paris have been much amused with an article in the Times, re commending the retirement of Lord Stratford de Redcliffe and M. de Thouvenel from Constantinople. That the Times should be desirous to sacrifice the English Ambassador can be well understood, but what has M. de Thouvenel done to be dismissed? He has carried out with great good judgment and prudence the instructions of his Government, and has succeeded in getting the elections annulled. Some of our ruse politicians think that they under stand the policy of the Times. They say that Lord Palmerston is anxious to get rid of Lord Redcliffe, but that, not wishing that his retreat should appear either as a disgrace or as emanating from him, the Times has put out a feeler to see whether the Em peror would come to the aid of your Minister. Of this be assured, M. de Thouvenel will not be re called; be enjoys the full confidence of the Em peror. Various opinions have been given as to the policy of issuing at this particular moment the St. Helena medal. Ido not think the intentions of the Emperor have been well understood; the St. Helena medal cannot be considered as an insult to England, for many of the sons of the brave veterans are proud to parade the Victoria media. The two medals, instead of being the symbols of hostile feelings, prove, on the contrary, that all former prejudices have vanished, and that the most friendly relations now exist between the two first armies in the world. Public opinion in Europe has been greatly occu pied by the remarkable trial which has recently taken place at the Cour d'Assises of Oran. I allude to that of Captain Doineau and his associates for the murder of an Arab Aga. It is not necessary to recur to the details of this trial, nor to the judg ment given by the court, by which one guilty person has been condemned to death, and several others to hard labour. But the question has a more impor tant bearing, for at present serious attention is being given to the institution of the Arabian Bureaux, to their morality, their object, and their mode of action. It is a question of a general nature, and which touches the principles and results of the French colonisation of Algeria. In many journals of impor tance the military government of that colony is pro nounced antagonistic to civilisation, and civil admi nistration is called for with great earnestness, and with some authority. The adversaries of the existing military government are so far in the wrong that, in the first place, they appear to be ignorant of its real nature, and in the second, they throw upon it the responsibility of the abuses fostered by subordi• nate agents. Military government up to the present time is the only one that has been possible in Algeria. It is the only regime that could maintain order or give security. The existence and prosperity of Algeria depend, and must for some time, on the protection of an armed force. It would be a great mistake to suppose that this extensive colony enjoys on its borders the same peaceful safety that is tant cities can have instantaneous communica tion with Girona, Figueires, and La Yongiuere. The Spanish Government seems to have some fears for the Island of Cuba, and several vesels have been ordered to be got ready for the conveyance of troops. The frigate Prineesa de Espagna has sailed from Barcelona with 400 men ; 500 have left by way of Cadiz and Malaga, and 1,500 have already been recruited, and will leave in a few days. The Duchess of Parma, accompanied by his Royal Highness Duke Robert, left Venice on the morning of the Ist of September, and reached Parma the same evening at seven o'clock. The Duchess was most enthusiastically rezeived by her subjects. Tho next day she left for the Casino de Boschi. gain! an j ilitag t~ttlli tract, THE FOLLOWING MEMORANDUM upon commissions in the line has been issued by his Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief 1. His Royal Highness the General Commanding•in- Chief, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State for War, has been pleased to determine that gentlemen desirous of entering the army may obtain commissions in the line by raising 100 recruits, subject to the subjoined regulati ma 2. Before receiving permission to raise men a candidate, if residing in England, must report his intention to the Adjutant• General at the Horse Guards, who will personally examine him as to his fitness for the army. 3. The age of a candidate must not be under eighteen, or above twentytbree. 4. He will be required to produce a certificate of bap. tism, or other satisfactory proof of age. 5. He will produce a certificate from a minister of the church or of the denomination to which he belongs that he has been duly instructed in the principles of re ligion. 6. The candidate will further produce a certificate from the master or tutor under whom he has been edu cated of his general moral conduct for at least the two preceding years, and if more than one year from school a certificate from a respectable person, to whom he is well known, that his conduct has been correct and gentle manly. 7. If approved, the candidate will be placed in commu nication with the subdivision officer of the district in which he proposes to raise his men, from whom he will receive instructions. R. The inspecting field officer to whom all such recruits will be sent will keep a list, and grant a certificate of the men so enlisted by him and intermediately approved, and send a certificate to the military secretary, Hot so Guards, when the required number is complete. 9. Candidates residing in Ireland or Scotland will in like manner report their intention to the general officers commanding in those parts of the United Kingdom, to whom instructions will be sent for their guidance.—lly command, G. A. WETHR.RALL, Adjutant• General. THE United Service Gazette says, the Inspector• General of Infantry having observed that some of the soldiers continue to shave off their moustaches, has desired that it shall be notified that this is not optional. His Royal Highness the General Com manding-in-Chief has ordered that every soldier is to wear the moustache, and Sir Frederick Love desires that this order shall be strictly carried out. MILITIA MOVEMENTS. The Royal Wiltshire Regiment of Militia will bo embodied in about three weeks. The 6th West Yorkshire Militia are to assemble at Halifax for training on the Ist of October, the same day as the sth are to assemble at Knaresborough. The Royal Berkshire assembles on the Ist of Oc tober. It is not yet known what the destination of the corps will be. On the last occasion of its em bodiment it was sent to Corfu. The 2nd Regiment of Staffordshire Militia will be embodied without delay, but in consequence of the absence of the Lord Lieutenant (Lord Hatherton) no precise day for the assembling of the regiment has been notified. It is expected that shortly after its embodiment the regiment will proceed to the south of England, to perform garrison duty. The Royal North Lincoln Militia will be called out immediately. The warrant has just been received from Lord Panmure by Mr. Toynbee, solicitor of lieutenancy, and forwarded to the Earl of Yarborough, the Lord Lieutenant, who will fix the day for the corps to assemble. This fine regiment is one of the fourteen which, it is supposed, will be asked to volunteer to some of the stations in the Mediterra nean, so as to release the regulars for active service in India. The Oxfordshire Militia have received orders from his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, as Lord Lieutenant of the county, to assemble on Friday, the 18th day of September, at the Militia Armoury in the city of Oxford. Of the Irish Militia two additional regiments have received tho order of embodiment—namely, the Armagh Light Infantry and the Royal Tyrone Fusiliers. It is believed that a larger embodiment is contemplated, with the view of filling the gap caused in the home establishment by the despatch of the troops from Ireland which have been placed within the last few days under orders for India.