The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-15 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EV LAINCr. MAY 15, 1863,

' Mr. GIBSON'S remarks on the subject of the
Anglo-Saxon naturally give rise to reflections con-
cerning the manner in wEeh this question has been
' treated. The right hon. gentleman stated " that
I the Associated Press of New York made a proposal
to erect a fog trumpet on Cape Race ; but it was
not thought desirable by the Government of the
colony or the colonial authorities here, that a foreign
company should occupy a site there for the pur-
pose." Could anything be more absurd than this ar-
rangement. And it has been sufficiently proved by
the recent fearful calamity which has befallen the
Anglo-Saxon, how this short-sighted policy has
conduced to dreadful results. Further on, Mr.
GIBSON says that the Board of Trade had urged
upon the shipowners the necessity of erecting some
adequate fog-signal. It evidently occurs to the
mind on hearing this, why did not the Board of
Trade do something themselves ? Human lives
ought not to be sacrificed to suit the fancies of
national jealousy, nor should such calamities be
incurred, because those who ought to act, delegate
their duties to others. Mr. GIBSON endeavoured to
parry the question by saying that it was not certain
that the particular signal referred to was the best,
and that it was very important to have one as excel-
lent as possible. This is very true, but it is a pity
that some of these arguments did not weigh
with those in authority, before they let the golden
chance slip by, and were only awakened to a sense
of the responsibility, and to a consideration of the
danger, when so terrific a piece of intelligence has
saddened the mind and darkened the homes of so
many mourners in England.
In the work called " Never Too Late to Mend,"

there is a very impressive passage regarding the
suicide of a boy in the prison, who had been
dreadfully neglected ; and, while dwelling on the
sad picture, it is there said by the author that they
were " looking at the corpse of as Englishman
murdered by routine." This is a most apt illustra-
tion of how valuable lives are sacrificed to that
Moloch in the course of a year. There is nothing
so dangerous for precedent as to fall back on offi-
cial order. And the fear of offending some prejudice,
by breaking some custom, is held more sacred, and
thought more important than the very steps which,
taken decisively, would be productive of an immense
benefit to thousands, and result in most substantial
advantages. As far as may be gathered from Mr.
GIBSON'S speech, something is contemplated, but
he could not give a decisive answer at present.
It is very well to take time to consider an important
point like this with due deliberation, but the time
has already been so wasted that it is sad to con-
template the consequences. The evil that has been
wrought by want of thought in this instance is
almost incalculable, but let not the warning be
neglected, let the thought of those now sleeping
their last long sleep beneath the great waters act
as an incentive to the dilatory officials in high
places, and urge them to the more zealous
discharge of their duties. It is impossible

of course, to avoid the occurrence of ace

dens, and as was truly observed in the de-
bate on the railways the other evening, no human
forethought can always guard against them. But it
adds tenfold to the painful nature of the afflction
to reflect that it might probably have been avoided
had due care been exercised and right precautions
adopted. It is to be hoped that hon. members will
not let this subject drop, but cnntinue to exercise a

scrupulous watch over the Government, until some

arrangement can be speedily come to, in order to en

sure the safety of those who are to voyage in that
direction. It is sufficient evidence of the very tardy
conduct of the authorities that Mr. GIBSON said
"the English Government made an application to
the Government of the United States last year, who
answered that from their inquiries they considered
it worthy of trial, but they had not sufficient infor-
mation on the subject to give a decisive opinion."
This was in reference to the advisability of the fog
trumpet that Mr. DAWSON had asked about. Why
waste so much time it may surely be asked. Why
not put it to the proof at once, and then decide
upon its merits, or else adopt another course
altogether ? It may suit the purpose of the hoar in
the eross•fire of detail to turn off awkward inquiries
and to give a plausible answer to an embarrassing
query that may, with a little skilful interpretation,

read any way most convenient ; but facts are un-

altered by these means. And it is plain that very

little care has been taken to gain information on
an important point; that very little consideration has

been felt regarding the importance of a question
which was so vital to the interests of thousands.

Also, it has been shown that while at home we did
nothing, abroad we would not allow any one
else, more willing if not more skilful, to supply the
want. This is an extraordinary mode of proce-
dure, and one that cannot for a moment be tole-
rated. Unless this misfortune be seen in its right
beAring, uad looked ut lie true light* there

desirable, but the every day needs of the small
trading community should not be overlooked. In
spite of Sir CHARLES WOOD'S claim to be considered
the friend of the Indian cotton trade, his own words
on Tuesday bear a quite contrary interpretaticn.
He declared, towards the close of his speech, that
the waste lands were not fit for the cultivation of
cotton, and read an extract from a letter in which
these lands were described as being wild and heap-
able of giving shelter to the cultivator. In
their present condition we do not see what else
could be expected. Sir CHARLES WOOD also cited
another authority respecting the same distEct
which is beyond Berar, saying that the amount
of labour in Berar was but small for picking and
cleaning the cotton already grown. So, then,
it seems that cotton does grow in the neigh-
bourhood by his own evidence, and the paucity of
labour is not likely to be long a difficulty where
there is a demprid. The tight hon. baronet then
quoted a report of the Chief Commissioner of Oude,
saying, that so far from being a cotton growing, it
was a cotton importing country. If these are the
arguments which have appeared conclusive to our
legislators, they must be men of very few resources.
With retard to the unhealthiness of some of
the Himalaya districts, that evil would
very probably be modified by drainage and
cultivation ; while, if that were held as an insuper-
able barrier to the cultivation of land, the dreaded
" Yellow Jack" might prove a formidable obstacle
to the industry of the Southern States. The climate,
besides, would not be so pernicious to natives, who
would be the ones to do the work of cultivation,
under the direction of European skill and expe-
rience. But there are districts enough over the
country which might be turned to good account
without any further risk to health than is common
in a tropical country. It is very unfortunate that
so little interest is generally taken in our Indian
affairs that matters are left almost exclusively in
the hands of a few prejudiced and interested parties.
Those who know anything of the subject are usually
old officials, or have been long resident in that
country under the old routine. New systems and
new schemes have little favour in their eyes, and it
is vain to hope for marked improvement until the
country and the Parliament interest themselves in
the matter, until they extend to the vast plains and
population of our Indian possessions those prin-
ciples of enlightened and liberal policy which have
made the prosperity of the rest of our empire

must be a complete alteration in the present sys-
tem. It is not the question which party is
in power, or which inventor is to be patronised-
The point is—are human lives to be sacri-
ficed without any common precaution being
adopted to prevent the recurrence of such a cala-
amity ; are those at home to have authority
to refuse a timely suggestion of succour, with-
out also bearing the responsibility of
doing the work themselves ? It requires no
elaborate reasoning to demonstrate the incon-
sistencies of such a course. And, since no naore
startling evidence could have been given of the in-
adequacy and insufficiency of the line of conduct
that has been carried out, let there be a change at
once and for ever. It is a scandal to our country
in the face of the world that, with all the appliances
of modern science, nothing is done for the protec-
tion of her enterprising sons where danger is known
to exist, and where the efficacy of remedial mea-
sures has been clearly ascertained. The experience
that teaches more than the precepts of wisdom hae
been a sad oue in this case ; and the disputes and
dissensions regarding mere technicalities have no
voice, can exercise no influence, in the solemn
gloom of this catastrophe.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

POLAND.

LEMBERG, MAY 14

Rumours are current of risings in several districts
of Volhynia and Podolia.

The news of the dispersion of Jezioranski's insur-
gent corps is confirmed. At last accounts he had
scarcely 300 men left under his command. 150 of
his corps were detained in Galicia. After the en-
gagement with lezioranski and Russians retired
from the frontier and concentrated at Minosow.
Czachowski's corps has also been dispersed.

BRODY, MAY 14

On Sunday last 600 well-armed insurgent cavalry
occupied Lubar, in Volhynia, and, having been re-
inforced by 200 men, marched, under the command
of the brothers Dunin, upon Ostropol and Labun.

CRAOW, MAY 14

An insurrection has broken out in the Russian
province of the Ukraine, especially near the town
of Balocerdient.

The 13th of May, the term fixed for the expira-
tion of the amnesty, passed without any noticeable
event taking place in Warsaw.

SPAIN.

MADRID, MAY 13, EVENING,

The Correspondencia of to-day states, that al
though the Intent Don Juan has given in his sub
mission to the Government of the Queen, he wil
remain excluded from Spanish territory.

TURKEY.
TRIESTE, MAY 14

General Tarr has arrived at Constantinople.
The Porte has received a Note from France in-
viting it to join the diplomatic action of the Western
Powers in favour of Poland. The Shah of Persia is
said to have received a similar Note.
The earthquake on the Island of Rhodes has de-
stroyed 2,200 houses in 22 villages.