The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-09 00:00:00

TEE SUN, LOM)ON, WEDNESDAY EVEN

now remain for the House to decide whether it will
suffer itself to be stultified after such a fashion. For
any good that the representatives of the people aro
effecting they might just as wed now be in the
recess, and better in some respects, for then foreign
nations could not say that the glory of the English
Parliament was over, and that what remained of its
power to impress and influence had become a
mockery and a delusion.

The Professional Assurance Society.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—As manager of the Professional Assurance Society
during the last six months of its existence, I trust you will
allow me an opportunity of correcting the statements made
by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the House of Com-
mons, last night, so far as the transfer of the as,urance
business of that society is concerned. The facts are these :
. petition was presented to the Master of the Rolls to wind
up the affairs of the Professional Assurance Society, and an
order having been made for that purpose, the official manager,
Mr. Harding, with the approval of the Master of the Rolls, en-
tered into an agreement with the European Assurance Society
to pay over to that society the actuarial difference in value of
each policy, consequent upon the increased age of the assured.
The official manager, however, having no funds in hand
applicable to the immediate payment of this difference, the
European Society, with the approval of the Master of the
Rolls, agreed that it should remain as a debt upon each
policy until the official manager should recover the amount
from the estate of the Professional Assurance Society;
and I have reason to believe that by this arrangement the
policy holders or their representatives will riot lose one
shilling.— I remain, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM WHITE.
36, Cannon-street, S.E , Bth March, 1864.

Equalisation of the Sugar Duties,

A public meeting of merchants and dealers interested in
the sugar trade took place yesterday at the London Tavern,
Mr H. NV, Crawford, M.P., in the chair, to promote a more
equitable adjustment of the import duties on sugar, with
the view of facilitating the introduction of the finer qualities
of that article. Sir J. Duke, M.P., Mr J. Clay, M.P., Mr
Lindsay, M.P., Mr Gregson, M.P., Mr Potter, M.P., Mr
Black, M.P., Mr Lloyd, M.P., and Messrs Latham, H.
Nelson, S. Travers, J. Travers, T. Buxton, Dailey, Baines,
Fairrie, Gaddesden, Fryer, and other gentlemen connected
with the grocery and sugar refining trades, were present.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said he ac-
cepted the responsibility implied by the occupation of the
chair not without some reluctance and hesitation, but at the
same time without any mistrust or misgiving as to the truth
of the principles which it was the object of the meeting to
lay down, or as to the fairness of the measures which they
intended to pursue for the purpose of procuring, if they
could, a reconsideration of the existing settlement of the
sugar duties. Seeing some persons present. who, 24 hours
ago at least, were not in favour of that object, he thought
it right to say that the meeting was convened specially to
obtain an equalisation of duties, and only those who were in
favour of the propose I change had been invited to attend.
The meeting being in favour of the equalisation of the sugar
duties—(oh, oh, and laughter)—he supposed it would not
object to a delaration that the present system was opposed
to free teed-, or that it restricted the supply of the sugars
which were fit for use and stimulated the supply of those
dirty sugars which were fit only for the refiners and out of
which they made their profit. (Interruption.) As to the
refiners, they had made so much money in the last 10 years
that they could scarcely want any more for a century.
(Laughter.) He must treat the question as a consumers'
question; but at the same time he did not believe refiners
would be permanently injured.
Mr. GRECISON, M.P., then moved the following resolu-
tion :—" That a law which imposes differential duties upon
varying qualities of sugar is opposed to the principles of
free bade, and has been proved by experience to be preju-
dicial to the interests of the consumer by prohibiting prac •
tically the importation of the finer qualities of sugar fit for
immediate use, and stimulating the supply of the inferior
descriptions untd they have passed through the hands of the
British refiner."

Mr. S. TRAVERS, in seconding it, said he appeared there
as the representative of the grocers of England--a state-
ment which was met with fociferous cries of " No, no," and
laughter. He went into detail to stow that the proposed
change would benefit all interests concerned.
After some interruption,
Mr. FAIRRIE proceeded to dilate upon the unfairness of
reviving a question which after full inquiry had been settled
by a committee of the H, ,use of Commons, where both tides
were heard; and concluded by moving an amendment—
" That it appears to this meeting that the maintenance of
the scale of classified dudes on sugar with such alterations
as were recommended by the select committee of the House
of Commons of 1862, is necessary to do justice between all
the parties concerned in the production, importation, and
refining of sugar, and that an equalisation of the duties
must limit the general supply of sugar for the Blijsh mar-
ket, raise prices to the consumer, and irjuro the revenue."
(Cheers.)

The CHAIRMIN repeated that the meeting was called for
a specific purpus; and amid much interruption and cries of
"Unfair—hole and corner meeting," refused to put the
ameniment, suggesting that the gentleman who had 1)1 oposed
it and his friends had better retire into another room.

Considerable interruption here took place, several persons
loudly complaining of the chairman's unfairness, or "auda-
city" as it was described by one gentleman, in refusing to
hear bath sides, and a formal motion was proposed that Nr.
Crawford leave the chair.

The CHAIRMAN woull simply meet that proposition by
declining to leave the chair. (" Oh, oh," and cheers.)
Mr. LINDSAY, M, P., remarked that the meeting was dis-
tinctly called of persons favourable to the equalisation, and
that there were so many who were opposed to that view pre-
sent only showed that Mr. Travers and Ws friends had no',
as they might have done, packed the meeting, as was not
unusual in such cases, so as to ensure a majority in support
of their own opinions. He was satisfied that before long
the refiners themselves would find it to their interests to
stand up for the equalisation of the sugar duti,s as strongly
as the shipping interests now stood up in favour of free
trade in shipping.
Several gentlemen in tke refining interest here rose to
speak, but
The CHAIRMAN stated that he was obliged to go to the
House of Commons to take part in an important discussion
there affecting the interests of the citizens of London.
Mr. Crawford and several other gentlemen then left the
room, and Mr. Dunstable was voted to the chair.
Mr, FRYER seconded Mr, Fairrie's amendment, and at
great length entered into the whole crieetion, pointing out
that to equalise the duties would be to throw the whole
refining trade into the hands of the foreign refiner, and to
enhanca the price to the consumer.
Some discussion ensued between Mr. Travers and some of
the refiners present as to the details of the manufacture of
sugar, in reference to the percentage of treacle and of waste,
and ultimately the amendment, put as a substantive resolu
tion, was carried unanimously, and a vote of thanks to Mr.
Dunstable for presiding concluded the meeting.

The Passion week performance of the ' Messiah"
will be given at Exeter Hall, on Monday, the 21st, by the
National Choral Society, under the direction of Mr. G. W.
Martin. The principal vocalists will be Madame Lemmens-
Sherrington, Miss Palmer, Mr. Sims Reeves, and Mr.
Lewis Thomas. Band and chorus, 700 performers.
THAMES TUNNEL COMPANY.—The annual general
meeting of proprietors in this undertaking ivaa held
yesterday at Radley's Hotel, Bridge •street, Blackfriars ;
Mr. Wollaston in the chair. Mr. Mason, the secretary, read
the financial statement for the past year, which showed the
total receipts to be £5,719 173 10d, and the total payments
£5,658 18s Id, leaving a balance of £660 19s 91. On the
motion of the Chairman the accounts were adopted. The
Chairman then said the proprietors were all aware of the
proceedings taken at the late special meeting, when the
unanimous assent of the proprietors was given to the bill
authorising the directors to dispose of the tunnel to the
East London Railway Company, The bill would receive
the support of the Government, and there was no doubt of
its passing through Parliamen-. Messrs. Austin and
Vaughan, the retiring directors, were re-elected, and Messrs.
Whitmore and Warrington as auditors. In reply to a ques-
tion the Chairman said there was some slight opposition to
the bill, tut nothing that could affect its ultimate adoption.

EXTRAORDINARY HIGH TIDE IN THE THAMES.
—Yesterday afternoon the tide in the River
Thames rose to a great height, causing consider-
able alarm and confusion on the river shores and
wharves. At half-past two o'clock, the time of flood, the
water was about three feet above its average height, and
the tide had inundated the Temple Gardens, the gardens
attached to the houses at Whitehall, and the adjacent
neighbourhood. The water poured into the cellars of the
houses abutting on the river bank with great rapidity, and
a large amount of damage was done in the low-lying die.
tries on the north lido of the river. As usual in
these cans of hi,112 spring tides, the Lambeth district suf-
fered to a greater extent than any other, owing to its ex-
posed position. Great difficulty was experienced by the
steamboat passengers in landing and ernb irking at the vari-
ous piers above London-bridge, consequent on the dis-
arrangement of the dummies and landing-stages owing to
the rapidity and strength of the tide. For at least two
hours the works on the Thames embankment between
Westminster and Illackfriara bridges were at a complete
standstill, being entirely submerged. The tide of yester-
day was the highest that has been known for many years.

SHIELDS, Sunday Night,—Admiral Fitzroy's
storm warning has been up in our hat bour all day,end
the weather has been, and is, extremely inclement. The
wind is E.S.E., and the sea is very rough. Ab -art half-a-
dozen light ships have arrived,and a Spanish vessel from the
north has sought shelter here. Oa Friday two large and
valvable ships sailed from the Tyne, arid another large vessel
put to sea yesterday. They have had a tempestuous day,
and are likely to encounter a stormy night. It has rained
heavily all day,

NG, MARCH 9, 1864

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

LREUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

FIGHTING IN JUTLAND.
Advance of the Austrians on Veile,
KOLDING, MARCH 8.

The Prussian division of the Guards, accompanied
by the Crown Prince and Field Marshal von
Wrangel, advanced to-day to Sonderskoogl driving
the Dines back to Fredericia and capturing 180

prisoners.
The Prussian loss was 2 killed and 20 wounded.
The Austrians are advancing on Vella.

DANISH RECONNAISSANCE IN
HOLS TEI il,
COPENHAGEN, MARCH 7.

A port'on of the Itiyal Danish Foot Guard has
made a descent for reconnoitring purposes upon the
eastern coast of Holstein. They marched to the
village of Patios, and were received in a friendly
manner by the inhabitants.
The President cf the Council, i❑ a speech ded
livered before his electors, said he should continue
to struggle persistently for the independence of the
monarchy raid the maintenance of the union between
Denmark and Schleswig. He would never consent
to a dissolution of the union:

FLENSBURG, IIARCII 8.

An ordinance of the Austrian and Prussian Civil
Commissioners has been promulgated to-day, stating
that, from the Ist of April next, the Danish cur-
rency and the notes of the Bank of Copenhagen
will no longer be accepted in payments made to the
public Treasury.
The sames ordinance declares that the Schleswig-
frolitein currency and silver thalers of all the Ger-
man States will be a legal tender.

THE DANISH ELECTIONS,
COPENHAGEN, MARCH 5.

In his speech at the elections here to day, M.
Hall, the ex-Premier, said :—" The alliance with
Sweden is not only an agreement between the
Sovereigns, but also between the Governments of
the two countries, and the treaty was ready for
signature when King Frederick VII. died. Per-
sonal union between Denmark and the Duchies
would leaf to the severance or Germanising of the
latter, and to the downfall of Denmark. The
German Powers had never precisely stated their
claims before they uccupied the Duchies."
In Copenhagen, as wall as in the provinces, the
candidates for election have advocated, amidst loud
cheers from the people, the energetic prosecution of
the war, declaring the withdrawal of the November
Constitution impossible now that hostilities had
begun.

CHINA AND JAPAN.
SHANGHAI, JAN. 26.

China is tranquil.

The news from japan is unsatisfactory. The
Princes were endeavouting to exclude foreign trade
at Yokohama.

NEW ZEALAND.

MELBOURNE, JAN. 25.

There is no important military news from New
Zealand, the war there being virtually at an end.

AUSTRIA.
WAR REGULATIONS FOR THE
AUSTRIAN NAVY,

VIENNA, MARCH

The Wiener Zeitnng of to-day contains the regu.
Miens issued for the guidance of the Austrian
navy during the present war. The preamble de-
clares these regulations rendered Lecessary " by the
hostile measures of the D wish Government against
Austrian and Pruisian merchant ships, as well as
against the commercial marine of the other German
Federal States."
The regulations follow :

" VIENNA, March 3.

" &c. 1. In accordance with the first paragraph
of the Declaration of Paris, dated April 16, 1856,
abolishing letters of marque, hostile end suspected
vessels must only be captured by ships belonging
to the Austrian navy. The commanders of such
ships are in duty bound to stop :
" 'a. Ships belonging to the Until() S'ate or to its
subjects.
"'b Ships whose neutrality is not sufficiently
proved (vide Sec. 4), or which appear suspicions
according to the terms of these regulations (vide
Sec. 5).'
"Sec. 2. Vessels of neutrals or their subjects, no
matter to whom the cargo belongs must not be cap.
tured, provided that—
"6a, The papers referring to ships and cargo are
in order (vide Sec. 4).
"' b. The ship is not laden with contraband of
war destined for the enemy, or
" c. Is also noc subject to capture by the regu-
lations of the preceding paragraph.'
" See. 3. No ship- is to be stopped or captured
in neutral waters.

"A ship's neutrality must be shown by the
papers requisite to legitimate her nationality ac-
cording to the laws of the country to which she
belongs.'
"Sec, 5. The following are to be stopped as sus-
picious, and subjected to examination :
" 'a. Ships with double pipers, one set of which
is probably false.
," b. Ships without papers, or known to have
thrown them overboard, or otherwise destroyed
them, especially if this has been done after sighting
the cruiser.

" ' c. Ships not heaving to at the summons of
the cruiser, or opposing the search in places where
contraband of war or papers may be supposed to be
concealed.'

" Sec. 6. The following will be considered legal
prizes :

"' a. Ships belonging to a hostile State or hos-
tile subjects, with enemy's property on board.
According to the Declaration of Paris dated 16th
April, 1856, neutral property on board hostile
ships, not being contraband of war, cannot be
legally captured.
" ' b. Neutral ships whose whole cargo consists
contraband of war (comp. secs, 2 and 7). If only a
portion of the cargo is contraband, the skipper can
avoid capture by voluntarily discharging the con-
traband upon the spot, or in .the nearest harbour.
After such discharge the ship can pursue her course
with the remainder of the cargo. The contraband
of war is legal prize.
" ' c. Ships forcibty opposing stoppage.
d. Austrian ships .taken by and recaptured
from the enemy, if they are not to be regarded as
fresh pez s._ _

" Ships stopp?d as suspicious (sec. 5), unless
they can clear themselves from suspicion.'
" Sec. 7. The following articles aro t© be
considered contraband of war, but only when
destined for a hostile port; cannons, mortars, all
kinds of arms, bombs, shells, bullets, percussion
caps, matches, gunpowder, saltpetre, sulphur, cui-
rasses, articles of equipment, saddles, and bridles,
with. all objects capable of immediate use in war-
fare, except a sufficient store requisite for the defence
of the crew and the ship.

I, sec. 8, Upon sighting a merchant shill not
sailing under convoy the commander of the cruiser
is to hail her and order the skipper to come on hDard
with his papers.
_ _

"Should no reasonable objection be discovered
the commander of the cruiser shall permit the ship
to pursue her voyage. But if he has cause to sus-
pect any illegal or deceptive proceeding, he shall
despatch an officer to examine into the circum-
stances, At this search the examining party ill

neither open nor break any locked receptacles,
casks, chests, drawers, closets, holes, or other
places; nor shall they of their own accord examine
any of the cargo lying loose about the ship. If
contraband of war or compromising papers be
suspected to be anywhere concealed, the officer
commanding the searching party shall have the
suspected places opened bp the skipper.
" Any officer infringing these regulations will be
made responsible.
"Sec. 9. Neutral merchant vessels sailing under
convoy of neutral war ships are not liable to search.
In this case the declaration of the cfficer corn Lends
ing the convoy, that the papers of the ship under
his escort are in order, and that they do not carry
contraband, shall suffice.
"The captor is not, upon his own responsibility,
to allow any portion of the cargo of a captured ship
to be discharged, sold, exchanged, or in any manner
taken away or lost. Ho must, on the contrary,
conjointly with the skipper or mate of the captured
ship, secure the entire cargo so far as possible under
seal and lock.

" The ship's papers are to be placed by the captor
in a packet, furnished with his official signet and
the seal of the captured ship.
" The ship shall thereupon, with unopened cargo
(unless the skipper consents to its being opened for
better preservation), be brought into an Austrian
port, or, until that be possible, to the nearest place
where she can be placed in military custody. She
may be conveyed to other places if storm, stress of
weather, :want of provisions, hostile pursuits, or
other peril by sea render such step necessary. Even
in these cases the captor, as soon as circumstances
allow, shall bring or send the ship with unbroken
cargo to the nearest port where there is a compe-
tent prize court.
" Sec. 11. If the cargo consists of perishaVe
goods, or the ship is unable through damages to
pursue her voyage, the captor shall be permitted,
upon his own responsibility or with the consent of
the skipper, to make any requisite arrangements for
the bnefit of the ship and tie cargo.
" Sec. 12, As soon as the captor reaches an
Austrian harbour widi his prize, be shall at once
report to the prize court organised for inquiry into
and judgment upon such cases. The same notifi
cation is to be made if the captured ship is brought
into any other harbour where a competent prize
court exists.

" Sec. 13. Any commander who shall violate tb.e
above regulations drawn up for the security of
neutral commerce, or abuse his authority to its dis-
advantage, shall be held to account, and may also
be ordered to make compensation for the injury he
has illegally caused.
" Sec. 14. The crew of a captured ship shall be
maintained at the cost of the Austrian crown, until
final judgment in the cause is delivered. Should
the skipper appeal against the sentence of the
prize-court, he must give bonds to cover the costs
which may be imposed by a higher tribunal in case
the appeal is rejected.
" Sec. 15. The crew of a captured end condemned
ship are to be given over to the local authorities,
the subjects of hos ile Powers being treated as
prisoners of war. Subjects of fLiendly and neutral
Powers will be given up to their resp,:ctive consuls.
"Sec. 16. Every Austrian war-vessel employed
in the cruising service shall carry a copy of these
regulations."
Signed by the Ministers for Foreign
Affairs, Justice, Commerce, War,
and Marine.