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

T_RE SUN, LONDON; FRIDAY EvENING MAY 15, 18M.

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 interpretation.
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-
aide 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 distrlct
which is beyond Berar, saying that the amount
of labour in Berar was bat 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 demand. The right 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 regard 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.

Mr. GIBSON'S remarks on the subject of the
Anglo. Saxon naturally give rise to reflections con-
cerning the manner in wlaeh this question has been
treated. The right hon. gentleman stated " that
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
celony 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 shortsighted 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 an 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 acci•
dents, and as was truly observed in the de-
bate on the railways the other evening, no human
forethought can always guard against them. But i

adds tenfold to the painful nature of the affliction
to reflect that it might probably have been avoided
had dae care been exercised and right precautions
adopted. It is to be hoped that hon. members will
not let this subject drop, but continue 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 voycge 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-

!nation 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 hour in
the cross• fire of detail to turn off awkward icquiries

and to give a plausible answer to an embarrassing

query that may, with a little ft kilful 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, and looked at in its true light, there

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
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 more
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 hag
been a sad one 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 Jezioranski and Russians retired
Prom the frontier and concentrated at Minosow.

Czachowski's corps has also been dispersed

BRODY, MAY Ft

On Sunday last COO 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 Infant 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.

GREECE.

ATHENS, MAY

The English, French, and Austrian Ministers
have addressed Notes to the Provisional Govern-
ment relative to excesses committed by the mili-
tary, and calling upon the Government to take
energetic measures to prevent the recurrence of
similar acts.

INDIA.
(By Telegraph from Suez.)

BOMBAY, APRIL 28.
A cousin of Nana Sahib, who was recently
arrested, has been tried and sentenced to transpor-
tation for life.

FRANCE.

PARIS, MAY 15,

The Ministers of War and Marine have received
dispatches from Vera Cruz to the 16th April, which
have been published to•day. These documents in-
clude a report of General Forey, dated April 2d, and
a journal of his operations till that date inclusive.
After six days had been employed in cutting
trenches, Fort St. Xavier was carried by assault,
notwithstanding a vigorous resistance by the
Mexicans. Daring the night of the 31st March,
and the succeeding day, the troops occupied several
blocks of houses, among which was the convent
Guadalupite.

The troops continued to advance without much
oss by means of trenches and by blowing up walls.

Preparations were being made to storm the
cathedral on the 3d April, which is the highest

point in the city.

It was not thought that the siege operations
would continue for any lengthened period.
The successes obtained at Puebla were unhappily
purchased by severe losses. Five officers, among
whom is General Laumiere, and 56 soldiers, were
killed, and 30 officers and 443 privates wounded.
Of the latter, however, 250 only entered the ambu-
lances.

During the operations General Comonfort several
times endeavoured to send money to the Mexican
garrison, which it stood much in need of; but he
was invariably repulsed.
The French expeditionary corps is well provided
with provisions and war material for the whole
time the operations were likely to last.
The health of the troops is excellent, even at
Vera Cruz, where not a single case of yellow fever
exists.

The losses of the enemy in the different engage

meets were heavy.

The majority of the prisoners who have been cap-
+ured have expressed a wish to join the corps of
General Marquez.

RUSSIAN ATROCITIES.

A Warsaw letter in the Czas gives the following
nformeion

" We have received some details respecting the engage.
ment which took place on the 29th of April, at Suprasl,
near Bialystok. At this affair several Russian officers and
80 soldiers joined the insurgents. The Russian report, as
usual, claims the advantage; it pretends that the insur-
gents were driven back into the marshes, and estimates their
loss at 30 killed. We shall wait for information from Polish
sources. A band of assassins, organised and paid by the
authorities of `Vilna, is, under the pretext of searching for
arms, overrunning Livonia with sword and fire, pillaging,
massacring, and burning everything on their way. A thou-
sand of these wretches lately invaded the domain of Wyzki,
the residence of Baron Moht, who had as guests at the Rio •
ment his two brothers, Count Komar and Prince Mirski.
Tnese three persons were shamefully ill-treated, and after-
wards loaded with chains. The coachman, who was so bold
as to defend his stables, had his skull split open by a blow
from a hatchet, and was then quartered I A young Cossack
in the service of the count was murdered. These horrible
scenes were crowned by the burning of the chateau and
all its dependencies. The three prisoners were thrown into
a dungeon of the fortress of Dunabourg. Baron Mohl's
peasants, far from joining in the pillage, aided in the escape
of the baroness, whom they conducted disguised to the rail-
way. Unfortunately, being recognised there by the soldiers,
she bad to undergo ell kinds of ill treatment notwithstand-
ing her being enciente. At Dunabourg, exhausted by suffer-
ing and fatigue, she had a miscarriage, attended with
dreadful suffering. Another band broke into the residence
of M. Urbain Benislaweki, who was also loaded with chains
and taken to the fortress. The Abbe Krandra, cure of the
district, was seized in 'he church and carried ff. The
peasants saved M. Benislawski's three daughters. Fourteen
other chateaux were pillaged and burned by the ruffians
sent from Wilna. The peasants, disgusted at the sight of
these infamies, have joined the insurgents in large num-
bers, and have opposed an energetic resistance to a band
who attempted to pillage the chateau of Dubno. The
National Government has reduced Colonel Seytried for not
having arrived to the assistance of Jung in time."

RUMOURS OF MEDIATION,--A letter appears in
the Rio tie Janeiro journals from General Webb,
the American Minister, contradicting a report in that capi-
tal that the Federal Government had expressed a willing-
ness to agree to the arbitration of the Emperor of Brazil in
its quarrel st ith the South ; but adding that,' in the event
of any arbitration, the choice of the cabinet of -Washington
would no doubt fall on that Sovereign, who had so many
claims to its respect and confidence.

A newly invented electro-metallic coating is about
to be applied to the plates of the iron-cased steam
frigates Gloire and Invincible. It appears that this new
composition has been found to be very successful in the
preservation of metals. The Minister of Marine has ad-
dressed a despatch to the several port-admirals instructing
them to send a number of shipwrights to Paris to be in-
structed in the preparation of this new composition. Ex-
periments likewise are about to be made to prevent the roll-
ing of iron mod ships,