The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-25 00:00:00

OUTWARD BOMBAY MAIL.

The Delta from Marseilles on the 20th inst.
reached Malta at midnight on the 22d, and left at
7 a.m. on the 23d for Alexandria.

FRANCE.

PARIS, MARCH 25.

M. Truy, vice-consul of France at Callao, has
been appointed Chevalier of the Legion of Honour,
on account of his courageous conduct during a popu-
lar rising against the Spaniards. •
BOURSE, March 24.—The market is inactive,
but prices in the principal Securities are well sus-
tained. Threes, for the Account, are now at 67f.
25c. Credit Mobilier have been done at 875 f.
Italian Loan 64f. 75c. In Railway Shares there is
little doing, and quotations remain about the same
as yesterday. The market closed firm. The fol-
lowing are the last quotations :

4} per Cents 65 50
Do. end month —
3 per Cents. 67 30
Do. end month 67 25
Credit Mobilier
Do. end month
Bank Shares 3535
Credit Fonder 1290
Roman 74

Italian Loan —
Do. end month 64 80
Ditto Threes —
New Mexican
Russian —
Austrian
Spanish Threes
Home Debt
Deferred
vAYS.
Cash.
Orleans
Northern lO2O 50
Lyons and Mediterranean 976 25 977 50
Southern
Western 541 25 ... 545
Eastern
Sardinian 3Ol 25 300
Austrian
Lombard 546 25 ... 545
North of Spain 302 50 302 50
Saragossa
Ditto to Barcelona —

RAIL'

Acct.
... 922 20

The Prussian Army.

BERLIN, March 22.

The folloviink are the most important portions of
the speech delivered • yesterday in the Prussian
Chamber of Deputies by Herr von Roon, the Mi-
nister of War. After replying to the arguments of
previous speakers the Minister said—

" It has been stated that the strength of which an army
must consist, to have chances of victory and success, must
not by any means be merely numerical, but that the quality
and condition of the army, its handiness with its weapons,
and the method of its armament, must be taken into consi-
deration. Well, that is perfectly correct to a certain extent.
The superiority of arms compensates for the inequality of
numbers, but only to a certain extent. We must not fancy
that because we, thank heaven, are in possession of a very
excellent armament, we are therefore in a position to beat
double our numbers with half our force. This is not the
case. if we have already limited ourselves in the formation
of our war strength as contrasted with a stronger neigh-
bour, this is because we have various elements in our
favour others cannot bring to bear—viz., the greater intel-
ligence of the people, the ready obedience shown by the
majority of the nation to military laws, and the superiority
of our arms, at which I rejoice. These are certainly ele-
ments which enable us to take up a contest even where not
superior in numbers, but such limitation goes, in my opi-
nion, only to a certain extent. . . . Circumstances in Aus-
tria, France, and Russia may certainly be extremely
different from our circumstances, but the plain fact re-
mains that those countries can at any moment dispose
of an army numerically superior to ours, and this being
so, you will understand that a Prussian War Adminis-
tration cannot avoid taking such measures as afford it
the possibility of meeting hostile attack at the decisive
time. I cannot agree with some remarks of a
previous speaker as to the present state of the Russian
army. Its condition has improved, and I am enabled to
state, partly from authentic sources, that the traditions of
a former period no longer apply. Neither do I consider
what has been said as to the probability of a war in the
west as in any way dictating the course to be pursued in
an organic question affecting arrangements for the future.
I, too, believe that the present sagacious ruler of France is
very far removed from overrunning us with war, perhaps
to-morrow, or the day after, or even at au early period.
Yes, gentlemen, he will do so undoubtedly as soon as his
interest demands, but who can say when that moment shall
arrive ? It is, therefore, necessity which drove us to ac-
complish more than it was appointed us to bear."

Alluding to the criticism byaprevious speaker, his having
said that Prussia had been for years in a state of illusion,

the Minister observed, " I have never intended to attack
the constitution of our army, and the fundamental idea upon
which it is based. For the idea of our defensive system is
precisely the fundamental idea of that reorganisation at
present under debate. I should be the last to characterise
our defensive system as defective. On the contrary, it was
a grand and happy ideathat induced the Legislature in 1814
to establish a provision for war. But I am of opinion—and
I believe I shall be supported by the judgment of very many
experienced men—that every institution, however excel-
lent, has its day, and must then be improved. The Govern-
ment wants progress in this matter, and the house is re-
markably conservative. (Much laughter.) Every system
outlives itself. Our Landwehr system is excellent in itself
and correctly designed—it was suited to the circumstances
of the time—suited to our small financial strength. But
whenever we represented to ourselves our Prussian army
at war with one of our stronger neighbours, we involunta-
rily thought, It would be difficult for our men to accom-
plish what is done by the superior hostile army, practised,
able, and disciplined, composed of old and experienced
soldiers.

In conclusion, unwilling as lam to do so, I must say
a few words bearing upon politics. It has been said that
agreement must be brought about through the Govern-
ment ; it is the duty of the Government to pave the way to
reconciliation. Yes, gentlemen, with you ; with the
Chamber of Deputies (a voice,' With the country'). If that
is the case, I ask whether anybody embarks in any under-
taking whose ineffectiveness and impracticability are
shown him beforehand? I willingly believe, as I said yes-
terday, that the number of persons in this house willing
for reconciliation, willing to offer the hand for that pur-
pose, is not small ; but suppose the Government is told over
and over again at sittings of committees and from the tri-
bunes, No, we won't have army agreements with the Mi-
nistry. Let its members rather cease to hold office—we
will come to an understanding with this Ministry.' When
it has been said upon another occasion, The conflict is no
misfortune. Let it go on. The country will be able to bear
and swell its bill all the higher—?' And that is about what
was said—gentlemen, any man not deaf remembers such
expressions, and does not find himself encouraged to run
after those who so decidedly turn their backs, pluck them
by the sleeve, and exclaim, ' Here's my hand, take it.'
Further, gentlemen, the conditions of every sort of under-
standing have become more stringent with the lapse of
time. When this military question was first brought before
Parliament the differences were comparatively small. The
correctness of the fundamental idea of re-organisation was
admitted and readiness expressed to allow a considerable
sum for the purpose ; it was thought, however, the amount
asked was too high, and a shorter time of service and re-
tention of the Landwehr was therefore proposed. The
withdrawal of the Landwehr was by no means considered
by the Government as advantageous for that force—but
stress was laid upon it on account of the importance to
the country that the Landwehr should be removed from
the force in active service. The Government was also

prepared to retain this institution according to the regu-
lations of 1814, but was at issue with the Chamber of
Deputies as to the two or three years' time of service.
This difference was all that separated us. Subsequently,
gentlemen, demands increased. Different laws were
demanded for the war administration where none had
previously existed, save the Landwehr regula-
tions, the reconstruction of which had been stated to be in-
tended by the Government. But the other demands were
new. For this purpose a new law was invented, an admi-
nistrative order of the King being suddenly called a law of
the country, and declared to be violated by the reorganisa-
tion. But, gentlemen, people went still further. They
asked for new legislation upon these three or four different
points, and now we are even engaged in discussing a new
claim raised by the representatives, or by this house, in
plain, clear words, whose importance has been admitted—
a further surrender of the constitutional right of GoVern-
ment is demanded by proposing to grant the taxes annually.
Yes, gentlemen, this is contrary to the right of the Go-
vernment. It is contrary to the constitution ; and because
it is contrary to the constitution the Government can never
allow such a right ; therefore the Government perceives
that you do not wish for reconciliation but constantly ad-
vance further and further, raise now claims, and thereby
widen and deepen the cleft. This is to be regretted, but
the Government is too weak to prevent such proceedings."

MISS RUSSELL.—It is likely that the services of
this favourite soprano will speedily be required in
musical circles. During Mr. Marton's eventful managerial
career, in which several operas by foreign composers have
been introduced into England before their public appear-
ance abroad—" Faust," for example—Miss Russell's vocal
abilities have been warmly acknowledged. They have
been closely identified with the now popular "Operatic
Selection," and have not only preceded but accompanied
the present success of the Oxford and Canterbury Hall
Company. Miss Russell, who is niece to the celebrated
Mr. Henry Russell, is now in treaty for first-class concerts
and oratorios, and the public appreciation will doubtless
follow her in the new musical field she is opening up for
herself.

•
,
rt"l
~lAv _ Cirnthn:

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, March 24.
The King of the Belgians arrived at Windsor to-
day on a visit to the Queen.
His Majesty crossed over from Calais yesterday,
and slept at Dover, where Viscount Torrington and
Lord Alfred Paget were in waiting to attend his
Maj esty.
The King left Dover at 10 o'clock this morning in
a special train on the South-Eastern Railway.
The Prince of Wales, attended by Lieut.-Colonel
Keppel, met the King at the Waterloo station in
London, and accompanied his Majesty to Windsor.
Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred and
Princess Helena, attended by Lady Caroline Bar-
rington and Colonel the Hon. A. Hardinge, drove
down to the station of the South-Western Railway,
in Windsor, to receive the King.

His Majesty arrived at 1 o'clock, and immediately
proceeded to the Castle with the Prince of Wales,
Prince Alfred, and Princess Helena, where he was
received by her Majesty the Queen, attended by the
Ladies and Gentlemen in waiting.

Count de Moerkerke and Dr.Koepl are in wait-
ing on the King.
Lieutenant General the Hon. Sir E. Cust also
attended the King to Windsor.
The Queen, with her Royal Highness Princess
llelena, drove out this morning, attended by Colonel
the Hon. A. Hardinge.
The Prince of Wales, attended by Lieut.-Colonel
Keppel, returned to London in the afternoon.