The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-05 00:00:00

THE ARMY.

In consequence of the numerous cases of corporal punish-
ment put in force by the verdict of garrison courts martial
at Woolwich during the past year, a meeting of the inha-
bitants was yesterday held in the Town-hall. with a view of
manifesting abhorrence of the practice, which it was proved
is considerably on the increase. Letters were received from
Lord Fermoy, M.P., Mr. W. Cox, M.P., Mr. J. Locke,
M.P., Mr. C. Butler, M.P., Mr Alderman Salomons, M.P.,
and others, approving the object of the meeting, but re-
gretting their inability to attend. The Town-hall was
crowded, and the platform was filled by the members of the
Local Board of Health, clergymen of the different denomi.•
nations, and the most influential residents of the district.
Those who addressed the meeting all spoke in favour of
substituting for corporal punishment imprisonment for va-
rious terms. It was asserted that the use of the cat, instead
of reforming criminals, only rendered them more desperate
and unmanageable,

The Danish Difficulty.

The following is a translation of a despatch son
by Earl Russell to the British Ambassador at Berlin,
and to the representative of 31ugland at Frankfort :
" Foreign.office,ll\lov. 23.
" Sir,—Her Majesty's Government have observed
with great regret, from a telegram received from
Sir Alexander Malet, that the claims which Prince
Frederic of Augustenbourg raises to the succession
in the Duchies of Schleswig-and Holstein have been
brought before the Federal Diet by the Minister of
Baden, who thereby acts as the representative of the
Prince, and that the question railed in consequence
has been referred to a committee. Under a
these
circumstances, her Majesty's GovernmentlosCon-
siders itself bound to inform you, without
time, that her Majesty's Government c _
pur-
sue no other course than that
pointed out 13 3'
he obligations
conscientious observance of all tons
of May 8, 1852.
entered into by the treaty
Government, in
This treaty binds her thereto, and in
common with the other Majesty
accordance with the termsBihgfinienassdicated in the treaty
Prince Christian ot
itself, to recognise his
Schleswig.Holstein- lidigerbonrg-Glucksburg, and
directo line from his marriage
his male descendantsSio°n:e
f Hesse, as in possession
with the Princess Louise to all the territory at that
of the right of succetsre
of his Majesty the King of
time under the ace
aer gajesty
's Government anticipates
Denmark.
that the Powers hiali signed that treaty, or ap.
proved it, will take the same position in the ques-
" RUSSELL."
tion.-1 am, ea.,.
is the declaration of Austria
and
The following
with regard to the admission of the Danish
Prussia
to the Federal Diet :
Minister
„Tho position of the Austrian and Prussian Go-
vernments is defined by the treaty which
both, .
conuno with the Governments of France, Great
Britain, Russia, and Sweden concluded .with the
Crown of Denmark at London in 1852, while the
preliminary conditions of the treaty were fixed by
negotiations with Denmark in the years 1851-52.
Both Governments regard the totality of these sti-
pulations as an inseparable whole, which received
its completion by the Treaty of London. As the
case has now arisen which was contemplated by the
treaty, both Governments are prepared to execute
the treaty, if the Crown of Denmark, on its part,
complies with the preceding stipulations, the rea-
lisation of which formed a condition precedent to
the signature of the Treaty of London by Austria
and Prussia. According to the view of both Go.
vernments the succession in Lauenburg belongs to
King Christian even if the Treaty of London were
not valid, while the next legal heir of the late King
Frederic, Prince Frederick of Hesse, has transferred
his right to King Christian. The admission of the
Minister of Lauenburg, nominated by the King of
Denmark, in the same proportion as the representa-
tives of single constituent States have a right to be
present and vote at its sitting, seems therefore un-
assailable. The right to vote vested unitedly
by
Holstein and Lauenburg can only be admitted
ebi
both Governments when King Christian fulfils thel
promises, relying on which both Powers
l atecclg
I ol-
the Treaty of London, which, adverse. y
forms the title of succession to the Kliog in
stein."

LORD PALMERSTON has the credit of having
remarked that nobody in England has ever taectek the s n the
trouble to waster that most perplexing of all sub j,
Schleswig,-Holstein question, but himself, and that he was
certain he understood it once, though he would not
answer for his ever beieg able to understand it apin.