The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-19 00:00:00

THE GREAT EASTERN.

PLYMOUTH, Friday, 10 p.m.
At 11 o'clock this morning the Great Eastern
was off Falmouth. At 2 this afternoon from Ply-
mouth:Hoe her smoke was descried to the westward
of the Sound. At 3 o'clock, the haze having lifted,
her hull was clearly observed as she passed up
Channel to the eastward.

At 4 10 p.m., Star Point being seven miles dis-
tant west by north, the Great Eastern was abreast
of the Waterford Company's steam vessel Aurora,
Captain Castle, from London for Plymouth, where
she arrived at 8.

The Great Eastern was working four smoke fun-
nels. She had two square topsails set. Wind,
westerly, very light.
Captain Castle calculates that if she continued the
same speed—about nine knots—she would be off
Dover at 10 o'clock to-morrow (Saturday) morning.

Convention as to the Treatment of the

Wounded in Battle.

(REUTER'S EXPRESS.)
BERLIN, Aug. 17.
The full text of the convention concluded be-
tween Prussia, Baden, Belgium, Denmark, Spain,
France, Hesse, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland,
and Wurtemburg respecting the treatment of per-
sons wounded in battle has just appeared here. It
is stated that the Governments of England, Greece,
Sweden and Norway, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and
Turkey have signified their adhesion to its stipula-
tions since the exchange of the ratifications.

'lle articles of the convention are as follows :-
1. Light and principal field hospitals shall be
recognised as neutral, being respected and protected
as such by the belligerents as long as they contain
sick or wounded. Neutrality would cease if these
field hospitals were occupied by troops.
" 2. The staff of the light and principal field
hospit.lo, lueludlng persons charged with th.uper-
vision, care, management, and transport of the
wounded, as well as field chaplains, shall be entitled
to the privileges of neutrality, so long as they are in
the performance of their duties, and as wounded
are to be cared for or attended to.

" 3. The persons designated in the preceding ar-
ticle may continue to fulfil their duties in the light
and principal field hospitals served by them even
after occupation by the enemy, or may withdraw to
join the troops to which they are attached. If these
persons discontinue their functions under such cir-
cumstances, the army occupying the place will
take care that they are conducted to the hostile out-
posts.

"4. The material of the principal field hospitals
is subject to the laws of war, and the persons at-
tached to these hospitals may therefore upon retreat-
ing only take with them such objects as are their
private property. The light field hospital, upon
the other hand, remains under similar circumstances
in possession of its material.

" 5. The inhabitants of the country who come to
the assistance of the wounded shall remain free and
unmolested. The generals of the belligerent Powers
are desired to acquaint the inhabitants with the ap-
peal made to their humanity, and the neutrality re-
sulting therefrom. Every wounded man received
into and nursed in a house shall act as a protection.
Those inhabitants who receive wounded shall be
relieved from giving quarters to troops, and shall
be exempt from a portion of any war contribution
that may be imposed.

" 6. Sick or wounded soldiers shall be received
and nursed without distinction of nationality.
The commanders-in-chief shall be at liberty to
surrender soldiers wounded during an engage-
ment immediately to the hostile outposts, pro-
vided circumstances allow and both parties agree.
Those persons found unfit for service after such
shall be sent back to their homes. Others may also
be released, upon condition of not again bearing
arms during the war. Bandaging places and depots,
with the staff attached, enjoy unconditional neu-
trality.

"7. A clearly recognisable and universal flag
shall be hoisted at field hospitals, bandaging places,
and depots. Under all circumstances the national
flag must be planted at its side. It shall also be
allowed to furnish the staff under the protection of
neutrality with an armlet, but the duty of such
being served out remains with the military autho-
rity. Both flag and armlet shall bear a red cross
upon a white ground.
" 8. Details of the execution of this present con-
vention shall be settled between the commanders-in-
chief of the belligerent armies according to the
instructions of their respective Governments, and
upon the basis of the general principles herein
expressed.
46 9, The high contracting Powers have agreed to
sawtehothdeidprneostensetncdonrveepnretison to
e ntativthesosteo Gthoe-
international conference in Geneva,
vcoemrnmmuennitc
and to invite
their co-operation, for which purpose the protocol
remains open.

" 10. This present convention shall be ratified,
and the ratifications exchanged in Berne within
four months, or, if possible, earlier. In token of
which the undersigned plenipotentiaries have ar"
pended the seal of their arms."
(The signatures follow.)
The ratifications were finally exchanged at Berne
upon the 22d June last.

THE HEALTH OF MAJOR DE VERE.—The bulletin
of Major de Vere's health issued yesterday morning
was not so favourable as could have been wished, but still

- _
it will be seen that Dr. Cockburn was as hopeful as ever
of the ultimate recovery of his patient. The bulletin was
as follows :—" Aug. 18. Major do Vere has not been quite
so well for the last few hours; the reaction after the pro-
longed shock has passed away, leaving the patient in a
somewhat exhaused. state. The condition, not being ex"
cessive, does not interfere with the favourable opinion
already expressed in the case. (Signed) J. BALFOI7II.
COCKBURN, M.D., Surgeon R.E." The following telegram
was received last night :—" Chatham, Aug. 18. The un-
favourable symptoms in Major de Vere's case appear t 9
increase, and a crisis is evidently at hand."