The Press.
London, England, 1854-02-11 00:00:00

130

PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.
IT is now known that a considerable number of
troops are to be sent to the Mediterranean and Con-
stantinople forthwith. The authorities have been
in communication with several steam navigation
companies as to the steam power they might be
enabled to furnish to convey troops. Mr. Cunard's
company, it is said, cannot spare any of the ships of
their line ; but the Peninsular and Oriental Com-
pany are likely to supply the Government with one
or more of their splendid ships. The Ripon, pro-
bably, will be one ( f the number. The great screw-
ship Himalaya is expected back in a few days from
Alexandria, and it is not improbable that her services
will be put in requisition at the earliest moment.
There are also available, if required, a couple of the
2,500-tons new screw-ships of the General Screw
Company, the Jason and the Golden Fleece, and
these four ships alone, it is computed, could conve-
niently take 7,000 men, and thus do more service
than thirty of the sailing transports of the olden

time.
At the Horse Guards and at the Admiralty, at the
Ordnance-office and Somerset-house, the work of pre-
paration is incessant. Early and late the officials are
to be found at their posts, and everybody seems to be
working double tides.
In the event of war being declared, her Majesty,
it is understood, will dispense with the services of the
royal yacht for the purpose of enabling more than
100 of the finest sailors in the world to enter a war-
ship in defence of the country.
Tenders were advertised for a few days since for
the supply of 1,000 quarters of wheat for the use of
the navy. Orders, however, were telegraphed to Ply
mouth on Thursday from the Admiralty to take the
unprecedented quantity of 3,000 quarters, which have
been contracted for at prices varying from 80s. to
894. 10d. per quarter.
The Coast Guard are to be made available for
manning the navy, an operation which it is now es-
sential to complete as speedily as possible in the
many vessels now fitting out. The Admiralty have
accordingly issued a proclamat'on commanding one
half of the force, to the number of 3,000 men, to be
at once drafted into various ships. The Coast Guard
are thoroughly practical sailors, well disciplined, and
inured to the duties of men-of-war's men.
Rear-Admiral Chads, C. 8., just promoted from
captain of the Excellent gunnery-ship, has been ap-
pointed to the command of a division of the fleet in•
tended for the Baltic. Lieutenant J. H. Chads has
been nominated flag-lieutenant to his father.
It is said that the Nile, 90, screw, will be one of
the Baltic flag-ships.
Sir C. Napier is mentioned as the probable com-
mander of the future fleet in the Baltic.
The increase in the supply vote for the seamen
and marines to be raised for 1854 55-10,000 seamen
and 3,000 marines—will be about 190,0001. for six
months. It is not intended to ask fur more than six
months' pay at present.
The Lieutenant-Governorship of the Sandhurst
Military College is not to be filled up. There are
forty-six candidates, but the commissioners meditate
abolishing the office, converting the superintendent
of studies into a military commandant.
The following is published as an authentic list of
the regiments under orders for foreign service, to-
gether with the date at which each corps is directed
to be held in readiness for embarkation :-4th
(King's Own), 221 March; 7th (Royal Fusiliers),
25th ; oth ditto, oth ;14th ditto, 3rd; 17th ditto, 4th ;
21st (Royal North British Fusiliers), 15th; 27th
(Enniskillens), 10th ' • 28th ditto, 17th ; 35th ditto,
13th ; 38th ditto, 28th; 39th ditto, 2nd; 42nd (Royal
Highlanders), 30th; 50th (Queen's Own), 18th;
02nd ditto, sth ; 63rd ditto, 7th ; 79th (Cameron
Highlanders), 20th ; 82nd ditto, lath ; 88th (Con-
naught Rangers), 27th ; 89th ditto, Ist ; 90th
(Perthshire Light Infantry), 9th; 93rd (Sutherland
Highlanders), 21st; 95th ditto, 24th. This would
reduce the infantry force in the United Kingdom
(irrespective of the brigade of Guards) to eleven regi-
ments—viz., the 34th, 20th, 97th, 46th, 33d, 77th, 91st,
12th, 49th, 23rd, and the Rifle Brigade. It is intended
early in the ensuing month that a camp, consisting
of 30,000 English militia, shall he formed either at
Chohham or such other place as the general in com-
mand of the army shall deem fit.
Great activity prevails in recruiting for the army,
to augment the regiments to 1,000 rank and file.
A large number of recruiting parties have been
recently sent to the manufacturing towns, also to Ire-
land and Scotland, to raise recruits, besides beating
up at the head quarters. There is no doubt but the
required number will soon be enlisted.
Preliminary orders for the enrolment of the
Greenwich Pensioners have been issued from the
Admiralty. All pensioners are ordered to attend on
Tuesday next at specified places for inspection, by
officers appointed to ascertain their fitness for ser-
vice. Failure in compliance with this injunction
will render the absentees subject to the loss of their
pensions.

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