The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-05-01 00:00:00

of British India. To preserve• these positions
and extend them in order to favour the sale of
British merchandise is the object of the present
war. We do not deny that the interest of our
neighbours calls for the war,but are justice and right
on their side? The love of conquest indulged in
by monarchs has, and with reason, been severely
condemned. It has been asserted that the ambi•
tion of potentates has proved a source of evil to
humanity ; that unjust aggressions, invasions of
territory, have introduced into society contempt of
right and of morality—perpetuated wars, and jus-
iified revolutions. All this is true; but in this
case kings were not sinning against humanity,
the guilt lies with merchants ; it is not
the pride of domination that renews deeds
of barbarism, but the avidity of speculation. The
political results of this war will doubtless be very
great for our neighbours, who will acquire fresh
markets in this important centre of consumption.
Neverthelesss, one cannot wage war without teach-
ing its secrets to the enemy. It has been already
remarked that the Chinese are less innocent
of the art of murder than in 184. When
their education shall • have been completed by
the battles which will shortly be fought, it may
happen that a nation of three hundred million
inhabitants may wish to exercise some influence
on the destinies of Europe. and it is not impossible

that our grandsons may have cause to regret out
stirring up this human ant hill, which has kept.
itself isolated during twenty centuries. We did
not gain much by seeking the Russians in Moscow,
the Austrians in Vienna, and the Prussians in
Berlin. Whs.; can Europeans gain by seeking the
Chinese in Canton and . Pekin? This, question
merits some reflection. '

SPAIN.

MADMD, PRIL' 25

A decree in to-day's Gazette appoints the Marquis
of Viluma Presideut of the Senate, the Dukes of
Veragua and Ahumada, the Marquis of Santa Cruz,
and Don Joaquin Casans, Vice Presidents. Viluma
is of avowed Absolutist tendencies, but he is consi.
dered prudent and tolerably honest, and has more
than once refused to form a Goveinnient because he
considered the moment :vas not come, nor the coun-
try ripe, for a reform in an Absolutist sense- 'I he
Duke of Veragua will be extremely useful should
tauroniachian questions be brought before the
Senate. He is an enthusiastic frequenter of the
bull-ring, and quite an authority upon that- subject;
but not upon any other. The Duke of Ahumada
is an cildsoldier Who has seen no service. He was
ehierof the staff of Narvaez when the latter corn-
Maticred the army of res ?.rve in (I think) the year
1837. He is known for having very ably organised
the'ervil Guard, perhaps the most efficient armed
force In Spain, but is, no politician; Of the 'qualifi-
cations of the Marquis of Santa Cruz for_arty post
requiring ability ani intelligence the less said the
bette'r. Don Joaquin 'Casaus is Fiscal of the
.Supreme Tribunal of Justice.

SARDINIA.

TURIN, APRIL 25.

A conflict of rather a serious nature between the
Executive and the AlUnicipalityni Genoa, which
has for some time past been gathering in rancour,
has at length arrived at such. a crisis that the arbi-
tration of Parliament will be necessary to settle the
dispute. The question is one 'of taxation. The
city of Genoa, Which has about the same population
as -Turin, had been rated at ft contribution of
800,000 francs a year from the gal)ella (taxes levied
on the consumption of :wines and fermented liquors
in public houses, and distinct from the octroi or
entrance dues), white Turin was rated at 100,000 ;
but it would appear that even this 'difference was
not, sufficient for the sake of justice, as the habits
and customs of the Genoese are rautth less cafe
frequenting than those of the Piedmontese,
and their climate probably iess inducing to
strong drinks. At all events, for the last
two years the Municipality of Genoa has
continuilly protested against this rating as pre-
posterous, and last year the Syndic, M. Eiene,
having been unable to obtain redress from the
-.:6Os:rWnment, gave:in his resignation, and winces-
sivo Interdenii hive been forced •to allow the tax
to rho into arrears, whichit has lately been sought
to recover on the • part of the Government. For
Some time after the resignation of M. Elena, it
WAS iMpOSSible to find any-one to fill the post of
Tyntlio, but at last the Advocate Morro was chosen,
and his nolnination seemed agreeable :to the
Genoe'§e-„,
,'At the first meeting of the Council
after his aiPpintent, it
_decided that. the city
could not.pay.t)3o sum of 800.,000f, and that it should
ba reduced to 80.000 f..

HOSTILITIES. BETWEEN RUSSIA AND

CHLNA.

4 • -7- ,
Letters from St. Petersburg of the 24th state
thatthe Aussian frigate Aurora; coming from the
Mantchou coast. having anchored on March 11 in
the harbour of Hong Kong, some of tne crew who
went ashore for,water were ill-used by the Chinese
population. The commandant sent a company of
marines to avenge the outrage. The same letters
state that the Go'vernor-General of Siberia had sent
a body of troops to the Chinese frontier to main-
tain tranquility. _ . •