The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-03 00:00:00

THE STATE OF TBE ARMY IN MB

CRIMLI.

At the present moment our poor fellows are perish•
ing before Sebastopol by hundreds from famine, from ex-
posure, and from disease in many appalling forms, while
the means of sustenance, of shelter, and of remedy, are
stored within eight miles from the spot in which this
dismal tragedy is being enacted. There is no
longer any use in concealing or mitigating the
truth ;—the men are perishing from the want of
common forethought upon the part of those who should
he responsible for their safety. Fifteen thousand
British soldiers in the prime of their strength in the hey-
day of life—well-disciplined :men, who would not have
turned from the face of a human enemy, let hint come in
what shape be might, have been laid low by official in-
competence and procrastination at home and in the field.
We know of no passage in the annals of even Turkish
warfare which tells of a more complete wreck
of human life for want of common foresight than the
accounts we daily receive of the condition of our army
before Sebastopol—of the living and of the dead. There
is but one set-off against the incompetency of the officers
at head-quarters, and that is the sheer pluck and spirit
of the British soldier—of the unflinching fearless man
who is found dead on the battle-field pierced with
wounds—his face to the enemy's line—or in the trenches,
whale he has perished from hunger, exposure, and
fatigue.
It is no sufficient answer to tell the country that
stores have been forwarded to Balaklava in abundant
measure. If the men cannot get at them, and are
dying for the want of them but a few miles off, it is ob-
vious that the most important precautions have been
neglected. The truth is, that the authorities at home
at the outbreak of the war —and although for
months they had ample warning of the conse-
quences of their neglect—utterly forgot or declined
to provide the regiments with the means of
transport. Had this war been a sudden matter—had
the army been gathered together at the summons of a
fiery cross fur some dreadful emergency—and had it
been then despatched, helter-skelter, to conquest or to
death, such neglect would not have been so utterly
without excuse as it is at the present moment. The
Guards left London in February of last year. After the
delay at Gallipoli and Constaafieeple the army re-
111141LICd bullie four or five months in cantonments at Varna,
and there it was proved by dismal experience that no
reliance could be placed upon the wretched carts, or
arabas, of the country for the conveyance of stores. We
say the experiment failed, and the officers in command
were made aware by, experience of that which they
might have known a priori—that, if they would have
stores for the army, they must take with then suitable
means of transport. The precaution was neglected,
although the commonest forecast might have suggested
that greater difficulties would have been found in an
enemy's country than in the friendly Principalities. We
see the consequences iu the prodigal waste of the noblest
blood which throbbed in British veins. The blame
attaches here at home as well as at head-quarters in the
camp.

The Duke of Wellington, they admit, in the Penin-
sular war, did organise a waggon-department. He
found the necessity of the arrangement, and, with his
usual vigour of administration, called it into existence.
"But," say our friends at hitehall and at head-
quarters, "the country, by the votes of its represen-
tatives in the Lower House, broke up this arrange-
ment, and are we to be called in question for their
untimely parsimony ?" The answer might avail if
the organisation of a waggon-corps was a matter which
required much time or skill,—if, in point of fact, it
was a branch of the service which need be kept for
years, in order that we might have its services when
required. Such an argument may with propriety be
used in the case of an eagineer corps—of the artillery,
&c.—bnt a waggon service can be organised in a fort-
night. The War-office could have settled the matter
with one or two contractors in ten minutes, and we will
venture to say that in ten days the needful vehioles
would have been forthcoming, horses, drivers, and all,
ready for transference to Varna or elsewhere. It is idle to
throw the blame on the House of Commons. One of
the oldest and most respected members of that
assembly has left it on record that in the course of a
long Parliamentary experience he had never known a
vote of money refused for real service, either to the
army or navy. The House might have objected to keep
a waggon train to no purpose for forty years, but it
would have granted all necessary supplies at the mere
suggestion of a Minister on the outbreak of a war. The
fault lies, nut with the House, but with those who are
charged with responsibilities to which they are not

MARKET NE IVS-(THLS DAL)

CORN EXCHANGE.

Although the supply of English wheat on sale in to•day's
market was very moderate, the demand for all kinds was
in a sluggish state, and Monday's prices were well sup-
ported.
The imports of foreign wheat have amounted to nearly
9,000 quarters. The trade was exceedingly inactive, yet
we have no change to notice in the quotaticns.
In floating cargoes very little was doing.
Fine barley was steady at full prices. Grinding and
distilling sorts, including malt, were very dull.
There was a moderato inquiry for oats at full prices.
Beaus, peas, and flour, were exceedingly heavy.
ARRIVALS MS WEER.

English ..
Irish v...
Foreign ..

Wheat. Barley. Malt. Oats. Flour.
790 4,040 2,380 570 I 860
x,460
8,95) . 500 6,910 I 720813.
2450 kis.

BOROUGH HOP.
Fine hops tiro scarce and quite as dear as last week,
Other kinds aro dull, and rather cheap...

WRITECHAPEL.

Each kind of meat moved off slowly to-day, as follows :
—Beef, 3s 4d to 4s 4d ; mutton, 38 4d to 48 4d ; veal,
4s 61 to 5s 4d; pork, 3s 01 to 4s 6d per Sibs. by the
carcase.