The Press.
London, England, 1855-02-17 00:00:00

THE PRESS AND THE WAR.

---
TAE Moniteur has published a significant notifica-
tion, addressed ostensibly to the French journalists
and writers of letters from the camp, but doubtless
intended by way of admonition chiefly to the English
press. The official journal says :
It is useful to remind the press, both in France and
abroad, of the imperious duties of discretion which the
security end interest of our troops impose on their pat-
riotism and impartiality. For the purpose of gratifying
the impatience, otherwise so legitimate, of their readers,
the journals publish, on the military operations of the
Crimea, information, sometimes correct, but more fre-
quently false, which is transmitted to them from the theatre
of war, or taken from letters written by officers and sol-
diers to their families. When these recitals are false they
mislead public opinion ; and when true are attended with
a still more serious inconvenience, that of giving the
enemy some idea of the plans and means of attack com-
bined by the generals-in-chief in their secret councils, and
so everything that ought carefully to be kept secret is re-
vealed. In both cases, this publicity is dangerous and
even culpable, and if it cannot be repressed in countries
where discussion is free, it will certainly be sufficient to
point ont the danger of such indiscretions, to render them
henceforth impossible. Every one must, in fact, know
that letters written from the camp of Sebastopol on the
operations of the siege are not intended for the Russians.
To change these confidential letters into articles for jour-
nals, ib to expose the lives of the heroic besiegers. In a
time of war, silence is sometimes a sacred duty for those
who every day address the pubic; if journals lose some•
thing by this, as tar as their interest goes, they gain con-
siderably in self-respect. We no longer live in a time when
war abroad should necessarily lead to dictatorship at home.
The Governments which have accepted the honour and
responsibility of a great struggle, entered into for the pur-
pose of insuring the independence and balance of power
in Europe, have not found it necessary to decree laws of
public safety. They have relied on the intelligence of
public opinion, as well as on the heroism, the patience,
and the abnegation of their armies and their fleets; they
hens not been deceived on any point, neither will they be
disappointed when they request from the press of all coun-
tries the 'patriotism of discretion.

The Prase says of the above article:—

We found this exhortation is addressed much more to
the foreign than to the French press. The Paris journals do
not generally sin_ in the direction of audacity or indis-
cretion.

NAVAL AND TRANSPORT ESTIMATES.

THE official estimates for the naval service during
the ensuing year have just been published, together
with the statements for those portions of the expen-
diture hitherto comprised in the navy estimates, but
now presented in a separate form, under the head
of " Transport Service, and Prisoners of War." The
navy estimates for the year 1855-56 amount in the
whole to 10,716,3381. The amount voted for the
present year was originally 8,172,205/. ; but this has
been increased by the sum of 1,705,1041., and the
net increase for the ensuing twelvemonth is therefore
only 299,0291. Comparing the principal items origin-
ally voted for 1854-5 with those asked for in the
present instance, there is an increase of 231,1961.
under the head of wages to seamen and marines; of
303,7571. for victualling ; 171,8711. in wages to arti-
ficers, &c. ; naval stores, 1,088,2411.; and new works,
188,0611. There is a decrease, amounting to 29,0001.,
under the head of non-effective services.
Under the head of wages, it is proposed to main-
tain in the navy 218 flag-officers and their retinues
in commission, forty-two officers superintending
dockyards and their retinues, 4,034 commissioned
and other officers above the rank of subordinate
officers to be employed in the fleet; 887 warrant
officers, 38,819 seamen, and 10,000 boys; making in
all 54,000 persons for the naval service. The Royal
Marines are to consist of seventy-two staff-officers,
403 commissioned officers, and 15,525 non•commis-
sioned officers and privates. In all, the number of
sailors and marines will be 70,000.

In the transport service the estimate for next year
will amount to 5,181,465/. ; the sum voted last year
having been in all 3,582,4741. Of this 10,4331. is for
the establishment for superintendence, 5,071,0321. for
" Transport Service," and 100,0001. for Russian pri-
soners. The sum put down for freight of ships on
monthly pay is 4,206,6971. The establishment for
superintendence at home is to consist of a chairman
at a salary of 1,200/. ; two directors, with 1,0001.
each ; a secretary at 900/. ; and a number of clerks,
the cost being altogether 10,4331.

BY ♦ DECREE, dated the 22nd of January, the Em-
peror Nicholas has conferred the order of the White
Eagle on Vice- A.dmiral Nachamoff, commanding the
sth division of the fleet. _ .

-...
COUNT MELCHIOR DE POLIONAC, formerly governor
of the Chateau of Fontainebleau, has just died in that
town. He was the last surviving brother of Prince
Polignac, the celebrated Minister of Charles X.

SATURDAY,

Sortign an Colonial 3nuitigatte.

FRANCE.

It is said that when the Emperor leaves Paris to
take the command of the army of the Rhine the
compliment will be paid to the Empress of appoint.
ing her Regent of the empire ; but that Count de
Morny will be made President of the Council of
Regency, and have the real conduct of Government.
The French Court will go into mourning for four
days, from the 24th, for his Royal Highness the late
Duke of Genoa. In consequence of the Prince's
death the Emperor ordered that the ball which was
to have been given at the Tuileries on Thursday last
should be postponed.
The important change in the command of the
French army of the Crimea, which has been often
talked of before, is now authoritatively announced.
That army will be immediately divided into two
corps d'armie, the command of one of which will be
given to General Pelissier, and the other to General
Bosquet.
In accordance with the expressed wish of General
Canrobert, the Minister of Marine has ordered three
companies of marine artillery stationed at the Pineua
to be despatched to the Crimea.
The funeral of Lady Harriet Elliot took place on
Tuesday, and was conducted with the utmost privacy.
The only persons present were the Earl of Mint°
and the members of the family, Lord Cowley, and
Sir Joseph 011iffe, the physician to the embassy.
The interment took place in the cemetery of Mont-
martre.
Lurd and Lady Cowley gave their third reception
on Monday evening at the embassy. As usual, it.
was crowded with the diplomatic corps and the Eng-
lish society of Paris.