The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-08 00:00:00

tit*4 x-

,LONDON, TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1864.

It almost invariably SC) happens, when a great
Parliamentary battle is coining off, that there quietly
appears some day a perfectly unobtrusive little
paragraph among the notices of motion,
upon the
result of which the fate of an Administration -
is de-
pendent. An outsider almost
always claims the
paternity of this same little paragraph. An out-
sider, as a matter of course—nearly, one
es a matter of necessity—upon the side of the say.
sition. Not the occupant of the front be pp,
nch. Not
ore of the ex-Ministers of the Crown, aspiring again
to bold his own against all comers in Downing_
street. Not one of the leading debaters. Gene-
rally,
however, some man of a thoroughly in-
way of thinking, one rather given
dependent
to bo crotchetty than otherwise, at any rate
unaccustomed to run in the rigid grooves
of the old track kept to by the vast majority of his
own Party—a man who can not only think and
speak for himself, but act for himself even upon
occasion. At this somewhat critical juncture in
Party History, when the contest for power so long
impending has become at length very imminent,
one is apt to turn with iLalous regard to our
examination from day to day and from week to
week of the various little notices of motion, out of
the discussion of which a certain momentous Divi-
sion might arise, 000 of those Divisions upon the
announcement of the issue of which the going out and
the coming in of a Government would depend. Last
evening, in the House of Commons, precisely one of
these indications of a coming tciamest was resort
nisable, as it appears to US, just dimly emerging,
above the political horizon—a portent, as the

phrase is, no bigger than a man's hand—but one
that, like so many a storm-cloud, may possibly,
before we have become well aware of the change,
completely overshadow us. Yesterday, then,
almost immediately after the meeting of the
House, as the' first among the notices of motion
appeared the following :

"DENMARK.

"Lord ROBERT CECIL—I 1;i to give notice that
on Friday next I intend to call attention to some of the
papers recently laid on the table of the house with reference
to the Danish question, and to move for certain papers and
parts of despatches omitted therefrom. '

Apparently a trivial motion—that is to a superfi-
cial observer. A mere intimation of an intention
to move for certain papers and parts of despatches
omitted from the Danish correspondence already
laid upon the table of the Hode. A small matter,
surely, some one think ; yet one upon which the
whole question, as to the Foreign policy of the
Government as at present constituted, is really
dependent. Unless something or other in the
chapter of accidents should arise to lead to an
additional postponement of a discussion that must,
sooner or later, be commenced in genuine
earnest—out of that notice of motion by the
noble lord, the member for Stamford, the whole
matter of debate ought to come. A new tarn in
the diplomatic negotiations still dawdling and
maundering on—an unlooked-for despatch from the
seat of war in the north of Europe—the mere
proximity just now of the Easter holidays threaten-
ing either to shorten inconveniently any discussion
now adventured upon, or to interrupt the debate
by the unseemly hiatus of the recess—any one out of
a variety of such circumstances or.of such considera-
tions may, it is quite true, pluck the sting out of that
notice of motion yesterday brought under the ob-
servation of the House by Lord ROBERT CECIL,
second son of the woad Marquis of SALISBURY,
M.P. for the borough of Stamford, and possibly—
it might perhaps be said, but that he has his
crotchets, and don't in the least line leading
strings, probably—_-nember without a seat in the
Cabinet of the next Conservative Administration.
For such as it is, there is the motion. And out of that
motion there might readily enough come the Debate
and the Division. Whether these will come from
it, is another question altogether. There, at any
rate, is the opportunity. if Ministers, for example,
upon the plea of the urgent necessity yet awhile
for some reticence upon diplomatic matters, in re-
gard to a subject of European import still actually,
if not actively, in negotiation—if Ministers, we
say, upon this plea, a plea that unquestionably
does admit, to a very considerable extent; of
justification, were distinctly to oppose the
motion, while the Opposition, perhaps, as distinctly
determined to support it—out would came the whole
long pent-up tornado, the whole furious hurricane
of debate from opposite directions ! Then, indeed,
would come the Tug of War and, in the end—after
the discussion had fairly exhausted itself—then
would come the supreme turning point upon whose
extreme edge would rest, in momentary oscil-
lation, the balance .of the Division. Would ?
Will !—if Ministers, that is to say, do not con-
trive to evade the difficulty by again blinking it
through the dodging device of a yet further and
further postponement. Lord ROBERT CECIL'S
motion is down for Friday evening. Unless it is
shirked by Ministers or set aside by some unexpected
casualty, something ought to come of it. It ought at
least to open up for the House of Commons the
long delayed opportunity by which an end might
at length be put to this obscuring atd
muddling up of the whole policy, both borne
and foreign, but more particularly of the foreign
policy, by the pseudo-Liberal Government. A Go-
vernment that—it should now be remembered—came
i❑ upon one dodge, and may yet (consistent with
itself to the last) endeavour to evade destruction by
another. A Government that rose to power
upon Lord JOHN RUSSELL'S Resolutions, and that
threatens now to sink from it because Earl RUSSELL
has no resolution whatever.

There are few questions more irritatireg than the
manner in which the prize-money ',(3 distributed to
the army and navy, Lord CLIF:OISFORD very pro-
perly called attention to thee Kertch and Yenikale
prizeemoney, which certainly bids fair to be long
cited as a specimen of unfair proceeding even
amidst so much that is faulty and unsatisfactory.
There seems a fate about this Kertch distribution.
For solnci reason ur another the Government have
sat their faces from the beginning against this
well-merited claim, and inch by inch they have
fought every step of the way in the struggles that
have been made to recover for the captors their
well-earned, hard fought-for possession. For some
time objections were raised against the recognition
of the claim ; and as Lord CHELMSFORD explained
last night, great wrong was done in rot permitting
the injured parties to vindicate their cause in the
Admiralty Court. Some absurd legal technicality
was put forward, and thus the only chance of re-
dress was shut out from them. However, in this
instance, as in many similar ones, the voice of pub-
lic opinion, and the debates in both Houses of the
Legislature, obtained that justice which a recusant
Government refused to grant the soldiers of the
country. The sum granted was thus voted, " for
the officers and men employed in the expedition to
Kertch and Yenikale." Hera another anomaly
took place, and the Admiralty hastened to undo as
much as possible what good had been effected. They
had permission to decide upon any doubtful ques-
tion as to the distribution, whereupon they founded
the right and arrogated to themselves the power to
settle the whole of the distribution. As might be
expected in consequence of this, more injustice was
perpetrated, and many deserving individuals de-
prived of their just remuneration. Lord CHELMS-
FORD Ras at great pains to explain the exact nature
of the injuries inflicted, and the losses sustained, in
consequence of the interference of the Admiralty.
Lord LYONS, instead of receiving two-thirds, only
got half, and thus lost £437, while the remaining
moiety was divided away. Sir H. STEWART, who
should have received oue•third, and three other
admirals—who were never in the expedition at all
—for Admiral BOXER was at Balaclava, Admiral
SToppORD at Malta, and Sir FREDERIC GREY at
Constantinople.
Was ever anything more prepos-
terous or inimical to the best interests of the ser-
vice? This was a parliamentary grant accorded
to the men who took part in a special expedition,
and the Board of Admiralty took upon themselves
the task of distribution as if it had been an ordinary
affair of prize money. Such gross injustice and
extreme inconsistency ought not to pass over with-
out notice, and
the country is indebted to Lord
CHELM'iFORD for thus taking up the case, and
making it clear to the comprehension by stating the
chief circumstances in
ambiguities and ofheiall3ilin
mystitfie:emtionl.e'llid proposed
legaloposecl
that the question should be decided by an im-
partial tribunal. The Duke
course declared that all of SOMERSET of
h
right and fitting manner,baidie been'
done in a
übq
agreed to consult the law officeresose°uenly ho
the Crown.
g
This is, at all events, something • i
hoped that the result of the inv ntiono atn isd
inquiries now about to be set on foot will be that
:he just claims of the captors will be taken into
consideration, and the proper rewuneratien awarded
to them. Nothing can be more deirimeefei a_ Le _

. Asa..
ipnu b
theseli c serve iacs ee
st h
of
fn tphr z
em omdoen oe
yf
.p r oTc
he de :et e
is a
ad owp
at
yed s
some mismanagement prevailing with regard to
them, and eternally the voice of complaint isancs
from the ranks of those who have fought hard, and
deserve better treatment from their country, than
to have their requital, due to the spoils of many a
bloody day, begrudged by the unwilling and cap.
tious officials who mismanage affairs at home. If
the Government keep the claimants so long out of
their prize money, they ought to give interest for
it according to all the rules and regulations of
monetary transactions. The secret is that the dice
tribution is purposely delayed until the latest
possible period, in hopes that some may die off, and
the relations be too timid or ignorant to assert their
rights. If this dilatory course is persisted in much
longer, the effict will be that parties engaged in
these expeditions will cease to preserve property
at all; soldiers and sailors will be tempted to
plunder, and thus possess themselves by private
means of the booty which honour, truth, and justice
cannot obtain for them in a public form. Amid all
the abuses and corruptions of the service this evil
arrangement of prize-money stands forth most
prominent. It is a disastrous state of affairs, which
militates against the spirit of confidence that should
prevail among all employed in the service of the
country, and more especially those who are engaged
in the active branches of it. It is high time that
Parliament took up this question in all its details,
and settled definitively the rules and regulations
to be observed in apportioning the various sums of
prize-money, and also should fix a period within
which they must be handed over to their recipients.
In the event of the non.fulfilment of this under-
taking, the claimants should have the power of ap-
pealing against the authorities, without having to
wait for their sanction to do so. Until some such
stringent measures be adopted, it is idle to expect
that any satisfactory solution will be arrived at, or
justice rendered to those who so specially require it.
The due recognition of the claims of those who
fight for their country by sea and land has at all
times engaged the attention of those who rightly
appreciate the necessity of the case. It is not to be
tolerated that in these days a country like England
should be unmindful of the services or indifferent to
the claims of those who sacrifice themselves for the
interests of the community.

As might have been anticipated, the report of the
joint committee was accepted without a dissentient
voice last evening in the House of Lords. Lord
GRANVILLE, in his brief address on the subject,
very clearly and succinctly summed up the prin-
cipal features of the report, and the grounds upon
which the committee based their opinions. Of the
twenty-seven bills which threatened to invade the
metropolis no less than one-third are set aside,
leaving, however, eighteen still upon the list. But
though even the lesser number appears somewhat
formidable, supposing them all to obtain the sanc-
tion of the Lower House, there is no longer cause
for anxiety and alarm on the subject. The schemes
still suffered to go forward are of a comparatively
harmless nature, many of them being merely exten-
sions of lines already in active existence, and others
having the principal part of their operations i❑
those suburban districts, where there is more room
and thinner population, and consequently altera-
tions and demolitions create less disturbance and do
less mischief. Oa the other hand the rejected
schemes were all for traversing the busy centres of
London life. They were to make the vast highway
from Oxford••atreet to the City, and from Pimlico
eastwards, the subjects of an extensive experiment,
to concentrate their forces amid the bustle and
business of Charing-cross, and to bring Father
Thames himself into subjection by flinging over
him no leg than four bridges. The committee,
accordiejg to Lard Greets vILLE, divided the railways
in t,: three classes, the first being the schemes which
are only improvements of existing undertakings ;
the second those which contribute to the formation
of the Inner Circuit, recommended last year; and
the third, including those plans which should not
be pursued at all, at least this year. With regard
to the rejection of those schemes which would have
formed part of the Outer Circuit, Lord GRANYILLE
observed that the committee were still of opinion
that such a circuit was desirable ; but, from the
evidence brought before them during their investi-
gation, they are inclined to think that such an
object can be obtained more easily and less objec
tionably than by their means. By connecting the
existing railways on the eastern side of the metros
polis with one another the circle will be virtually
complete, without additional lines, and this end
would be easily attained by using the long unem-
ployed Thames Tunnel as a means of communication
between the Great Eastern and Blackwell lines on
the Middlesex side, and the South-Eastern on the
Surrey side of the Thames. We should hope that
these Companies might come to some satisfac-
tory arrangement among themselves, by
which such a plan could be carried into
effect without delay, thus obviating the necessity
of adding to the number of metropolitan railways--
addition no more advantageous to them than to the
public. To the two lines suffered to proceed in their
endeavours to cut through the metropolis, there will
be little opposition. They are both northward; and
while the one deals with an open and quiet neigh-
bourhood, the ether promises to atone for disturb-
ing a busy part of London by providing a new street
in a locality where a good and direct thoroughfare
is very much needed. It will be some compensation
for the inevitable:interference with the Hampstead
and Tottenham-Court Roads if, by it, we gain a
clean, respectable highroad through St. Giles's. A
new road from Oxford-street to Charing-Cross
in the direction of St. Martin's-lane will
be a boon which may make the residents north-
east of Oxford-circus forgive a good deal of annoy-
ance, and the company have done well in combining
the two proposals. This scheme was one among
many for uniting the Northern lines with Charing
cross station, so that by its means a good deal will
be :done for uniting the traffic north and south.
What more requires to be done for this purpose can
be easily done another year. At ell events it
is better and wiser to leave the matter
in abeyance' until the practical working of
the new schemes has been fully and fairly
tried, and experience comes in to assist the judg-
ment. Ia projects of this nature so many conflict-
ing interests have to be weighed, and so many rival
claims considered, that caution and prudence are
the most necessary constituents of any extensive
alteration. Oa the whole, the report of the com-
mittee is highly satisfactory, and though subsequent
inquiry and criticism may see cause to modify some
of the details, one great object of its appointment is
attained—the public uneasiness has been allayed, at
the same time that a due regard has been had to
the interests of railway communication.

E is now definitely arranged that the Easter
Monday Volunteer Review will take place on
Farley-heath. Colonel M'Murdo went down to Guildford
yesterday morning, accompanied by Lord Truro and Colonel
Buxton, and examined the ground for several hours; and
we believe expressed himself hiolily satisfied with the capa-
bilities of the heath itself for a review, and with the pro.
posed arrangements of the two railway companies. Therc
is every reason to expect that abundant provision will bo
made for the refreshment of the volunteers and of the epee-

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

HOLSTEIN,
ALTONA, MARCH (Evening).
Two officers and 20 Danish soldiers landed yes-
terday at the village of Hciligenhafen in Holstein,
it is supposed for the purpose of reconnoitring.

GALICIA AND ITALY,
VIENNA, MARCH 6.

Advices from Galicia report the prevalence of
agitation in that province. Notwithstanding the
proclamation of the seine, the placards of the
National Polish Government have been affixed i❑
the streets of Lemberg, Puime Slpieba has fled to
Galat z.

The Government formally denies the reports
attributing to it aggressive intentions againstltaly.
Large numbers of troops are being concentrated in
the Tyrol and the provinces of Austria adjacent to
Italy, it is declared, for defensive purposes. Arch-
duke Leopold will inspect the fortifications of the
Tyrol, and the Quadrilateral at an early date.
Orders have been sent to Trieste to fit out the
frigate Novara, which will be placed at the dis-
position of the Archduke Maximilian.