The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-14 00:00:00

RUSSIA.

The following is a translation of the article in
the Journal de St. Petersbourg of the 9th Septem-
ber, a telegraphie summary of which has already
appeared :—" We have more than once pointed out
the manwavres of some organs of the press to drive
public opinion into a
path which can only lead to
deception. Thus, when the second despatches of
the three Courts respecting the affairs of Poland
were forwarded to St. Petersburg, the foreign news-
papers vied with each other in promulgating a report
that the Russian Government accepted the proposi-
tions made to it with some insignificant modifica-
tions. Hopes were thus engendered which were not
in keeping with the real state of affairs, and when
the truth became known the inevitable explana-
tions which followed were turned to account in
the most hostile manner by the very men who had
propagated the rumours. At the time we warned
our reader to be cautious in believing them. We
fulfil a similar duty to-day by putting them on their
guard against rumours of a similar nature. The
foreign press is launching forth into the wildest
conjectures respecting
the projects of the Russian
Government as regards Poland and Germany.
Radical reforms are spoken of, which are to be im-
mediately introduced into the kingdom of the em-
pire; new alliances are hinted at respecting the
affairs of Germany. The conclusions which are
drawn from them are as false as the premises. The
position taken by the St. Petersburg Cabinet rela-
tive
the
unanimous
a then im oauffs a isresn fm
ehte
f Russia, cco
Poland, in a
clear, and there is not anything to indicate an incli-
nation to deviate from it. The sentiments of the
Sovereign towards his Polish subjects have not
undergone any change. But, in his solicitude for
irada perfectly
clear, withct
their welfare, his Majesty has declared that be con-
sidered it his first duty to proceed to the re-estab-
lishment of material order. The experience of the
last two years has sufficiently proved that nothing
solid can be erected upon ground upset by anarchi-
cal passions. As regards the diplomatic question,
the Imperial Government remains resolved to fulfil
its international obligations, but also to maintain
the rights of Russia within the limits of treaties.
"As regards the affairs of Germany, the St.
Petersburg Cabinet follows them with all that in-
terest which they deserve; but also with that
benevolent reserve which appertains to its tra-
ditions and to its interests. Russia can but
wish for the union and strength of Germany on the
basis of the rights and interests of al. the States e!
which it consists. She has no more need to provide
against dangers which might result for her than
Germany has to guard against dangers coming from
Russia. The rumours which have been circulated
are, therefore, unfounded.
They testify extreme
levity, if not malicious premeditation: At all events,
they can only serve to naisiead public opinion, Lind
for our part we think that the mission of the
journalist is not to participate in en error with a
view to certain objects of political cAyverness, but
to endeavour sincerely to ascertain and ou
h ,
aestiy to
declare the truth."

MODERN ARTILLEDs,...__In th isiournal the atten-
tionnof achallgibrie•ela s which to us
of the Government authorities has been called
again
Americans andangaavi no
ot to n thestrn
el':
eadr rc°at
cannon andon D guns. The
are known only as of theoretical and probable attainmet t,
and they have armed batteries hundreds of miles horn their
arsenals with the most powerful guns ever used hi war,
which have been carried by sea and in stormy waters to the
enemy's shores. Before such projectiles as these gunscarry
the breaching of masonry, whether of brick or stone, is but
a question of short time. And in the face of these facts we
are obliged to record that. our scientific officers are of
opinion that our best gun for breaching purposes is the old
68-pounder ! Why, we know what that can do. We
know that at 3,5J0 yards its fire would be about as
effectual as that of Mons Meg. These trials at 200 yards
aro perfectly fatuous, if no other results than these, or such
as these, be gained by them. it is of no use saying Sum-
ter was of brick ; it was at least as good woile as most
of our existing fortifications, and infinitely less easy "to
splinter up" than a work of granite or rabble masonry. In
substance it very much resembled our martello towers on

the beach at Hyth e• Have we an.• gun which could breach
one of these at 3,500 yards ?
Do, pray, gentlemen of the
Ordnance committee bestir yourselves, and get us a gun
with such results. Let Mr.Whitworth or SirW. Armstrong,
Capt. Pallisser, Capt. Blakeley, Mr. Bashloy Britten, Mr.
Thomas, any one, give us a gun as good and as cheap as
the Parrott to begin with,
and then we can rest content
while you are going on With your experiments. One
thing is certain—that any forts which may be assailed by
such artillery as the Americans have employed at Sumter
must be faced with iron plates. We are yet in doubt as to
the mode in which stone works can be coated with iron, but
it is obvious that mere masonry will not stand unprotected
against the heaviest order of rifled projectiles. Do not let us
pooh-pooh the Americans. If we are wise it is the last thing
resultich seemed
to indicate that large shot
we ought to do. Our artillerists think they are wrong in the
matter of the Dahlgren guns; for breaching purposes they
may be, but unquestionably the Admiralty would be rather
nervous
side of the Warrior, at 200 yards' distance, notwithstanding
the
with comparatively low charges of powder were inefficient.
The authorities have had no experience of the effect of such
shot as Dahlgrens propel.
They have not the guns to dis-
exe N med
dis-
charge them. U'hen next the Ordnance officers and gentle-
men meet let them apply their minds to the little experi-
ments the Americans have been making for their benefit at
Sumter. It is astounding to see what progress has been
made in artillery since the Crimean war. It is undeniable
that the establishment of a few of Brigadier Gillmoro's bat-
teries before Sebastopol, on Oct. 17,
1854, instead of the
" tremendous armament" of which Lord Granville boasted
would have "knocked the place into a cocked hat" in 24
hours„—Army and Earl' Gaz3itc.
THE FRENCH IRON-CLAD FRIGATE MAGENTA.

—The France publishes the following naval :—,6 The
iron-clad frigate Magenta has just terminated her experi
mental trips at Brest in presence of the commission presided
over by Commandant Dieudonne, and they have been com-
pletely successful. On the oth she took on board 300 seamen
and officers, and went into the roadstead. On the following
morning she left for Cherbourg to take part in the move-
ments which are to take place there. The Magenta is, like
the Solferiae, armed with a spur, and great interest conse•
quently attaches to the maLreuvres she sill go through."
TERRIBLE INCREASE OF PAUPERISM. The
annual report of the Poor Law Board, chews that during
the last year, which ended March 25th, 1862, the sum of
£6,077,927 was expended for the relief of the poor, being an
increaso of £295,984 as compared with the year preceding,