The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-02 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—Should Army Reform be fairly entered upon it
will, no doubt, be desirable to borrow several improve-
ments from our continental neighbours. In the Austrian
service it is a rule without exception that before a young
man can hold a commission he must have gone through
all the routine work of regimental duties. Members of
the wealthiest and most aristocratic families have invari-
ably to go through this ordeal ; joining their regiments
as "cadets," wearing the same uniform as privates, only
of finer material ; and discharging the ordinary rank and
file duties, though associating and messing with the
officers. In this way when at the end of 12 months they
obtain an Ensigncy they thoroughly understand the
duties which the men under them have to perform ; they
are consequently looked up to, and respected ; while in
our service many ignorant and conceited striplings, self-
sufficient after a short nominal drill, raise feelings of
ridicule and contempt ; to say nothing of the possible
dire consequence of their inefficiency in the field. In
carrying out Army Reform, the leading principle ought
to be kept in view, trfat young aristocrats and ethers,
however distasteful it may be to them, must be taught
in their respective regiments to obey before they are
allowed to command.---j am, Sir, yours truly,

London, March 2, 1855.

ALPHA.

LATEST NEWS.

ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR
OF RUSSIA .

BERLIN, FRIDAY, MARCH 2.
News was received here last night that the
Emperor of Russia is seriously ill.
It is added that: the physicians despair of his

recovery.
The dinner at Court to-day in honour of Lord
John Russell has been deferred.

VIENNA, FRIDAY, MARCH 2.
Intelligence has been received (torn Constanti-
nople up to the 22d February.

The last sorties of the Russians had been vic-
toriously repulsed.
The Russians have demolished the Malakoff

tower.
Information had been received by General Bos-
quet of an intended attack on Balaklava. Pre-
parations had been accordingly made to receive
the enemy.
Baron Koller had been- honoured with an audi-
ence by the Sultan. The raising of the blockade
of the Danube has been officially notified.
The exportation of corn from the Turkish pro-
vinces will, it is expected, be prohibited.

BERLIN, THURSDAY, MARCH 1.
Lord John Russell arrived in this capital yes-
terday at noon.
In the afternoon he had a long interview with
the Minister President Baron von Mantouffel.

To-day (Thursday, noon), Lord John Russell
had an aulience of the King in the presence of
M. Manteuffel.

We have received the following telegraphic des-
path from Paris :

M. de Wedell, the Prussian Envoy, left Paris
last night for Berlin.
He will return to Paris on Tuesday or Wednes-
day next.

BOULOGNE, THURSDAY, 5 o'Clock.

The Emperor of the French has this moment
arrived at the Imperial Pavillon Hotel from the
Camp at St. Omer.
The following private telegraphic despatch has
been received in Paris :
HAMBURG, FEB. 28.

The Russians have formed corps of Greek
volunteers at Odessa, under the command of
Chrysoveris, and carrying at their head the ortho-
dox standard. They will be employed in the
Crimea.

The Bulgarian volunteers have been sent to-
wards the Danube.

TRIESTE, FEB. 28.

Despatches from Ceylon, of the Ist, announce
that the people of Australia have risen and pro-
claimed their independence.

Some troops, sent to put down the insurrection,
had fought some sanguinary engagements.
Melbourne was in a state of siege.