The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-03 00:00:00

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

NEW YORK, DEC. 21.
Stocks close weak. New York Central, frin ;
Illinois, 57 ; Erie, 27.
Cotton firm; Middling Upland, 38c.
Breadstuffs dull. Corn steady.
HALIFAX, DEC. 21,
The steamer America, from Liverpool on the 7th
inst., arrived here to-day, short of coal.

ARRIVAL OF THE HANSA.

SOUTHAMPTON, JAN. 3.
The North German Lloyd's steamer Hansa, from
New York on the 21st ult., has arrived.

She brings 72 passengers, 209,000 dols. for Eng-
land, and 50,000 dols. for France.

NEW YORK, DEC. 21.

The latest despatches received from Washington
all agree in stating that Lord Lyons has not yet
presented any official demands to Mr. Seward on the
Trent question.
The New York Times and the Herald both state
that Messrs. Mason and Slidell will be delivered up
to England.
The _Herald, however, in an angry article, says
that when the rebellion is crushed, outstanding
accounts against England can then better be settled
than now.

The .New York World states that the general
impression in Washington is that the matter will be
amicably settled, and adds, there are signs which
indicate that the subject will be referred to the ar-
bitrament of all maritime nations, but Messrs.
Mason and Slidell will not be surrendered under
any circumstances.

There still exists a feverish under-current of
popular feeling on the question; but nothing deci-
sive can be ascertained, whether Lord Lyons has
made any demands, or what the demands are. A
strong impression prevails that the matter will not
lead to a war.

It is reported that among the papers transmitted
to the Senate on Mexican affairs, there is the project
of a treaty between America and Mexico, which
provides that the Federal Government shall pay
11,000,000 dols. to Mexico, to be applied to the
satisfaction of the English and French claims, in
return for the grant to America of commercial pri-
vileges and the right of transit across Mexican
territory for troops and munitions of war.
It is thought that the Senate will confirm this
treaty. No mention is made of a settlement of the
Spanish claims.
It is stated in Knight's Circular that the cotton
from Beaufort will be sold at public auction, and
that the quantity from that city can only be very
limited.

ROME, JAN. 1.

To-day being New Year's-day, General Goyon
presented the French officers to the Pope, and in
the name of the officers and soldiers whom he com-
manded, offered the customary congratulations to
his Holiness.

General Goyon spoke of the devotion with which
they were inspired towards the Pope, and asked
his Holiness to grant them the Apostolic benedic-
tion.

The Pope thanked General Goyon for the senti-
ments he had expressed, and hoped that the pre-
sence of the French soldiers at Rome would not per-
mit the fulfilment of any irreligious or impolitic
act.

The Pope concluded by bestowing the Apostolic
benediction on the Emperor of the French, the Im-
perial family, and the whole French army.

BERLIN, JAN. 2.

Yesterday being New Year's-day, Gen. Wrangel,
in the name of the Prussian army, presented the
customary congratulations to the King.
His Majesty, in reply, said,—" I am convinced
that the army knows what sentiments I entertain
towards it. Pi ussia can calmly behold whatever
events may arise from the state of things in non-
European countries, because her army stands ready,
firm, and armed."

In replying to the congratulations of the Minis-
ters, His Majesty mentioned the heavy losses which
the royal house had to lament, and said,—" The
past year has been marked by many sad events.
The year now commencing has likewise a serious
aspect, because the state of things in Germany, in
Europe, and, in fact, in the whole world, presents
eventualities the possible development of which
renders it our duty to be prepared, and to stand
united together, and this shall certainly be done."

RUSSIA.

ST. PETERSBURG, DEC. 27.

By accounts received here overland, via Siberia,
it appears that Russia is at present attempting to
found a second Sebastopol in the North Pacific
Ocean. In the Straits of Corea are to be found two
little islands, called North and South Tsu-sima,
geographically belonging to the Japanese Archi-
pelago, and subject from time immemorial to the
Empire of Japan. They are separated from each
other by a sound, enclosing a capacious bay, -with
excellent anchorage, and snugly sheltered from
every possible wind. Though small, these is'iands
are densely populated, to the amount, it is said,
of more than thirty thousand, and the inhabitants
are a civilised, peaceable, and industrious race,
producing most beautiful manufactures, in which

they carry on an extensive and lucrative trade with
Yeddo, where these articles are held in great esti-
mation. The soil is-fruitful and well cultivated,
the climate deliciously mild and remarkably
healthy. This favoured spot is governed by a
Japanese Daimio, who resides at the town and
port of Fatcha ; and, though appointed by the
Government, and paying allegiance to the Tykoon,
he is placed in a very independent position from
the great distance to the capital.
Whilst Admiral Sir James Hope was lately
taking a cruise in her Majesty's ship Ringdove,
having heard favourable accounts of the natural
advantages and capabilities of these islands, and
their sheltered harbour, he determined to look in
there, and he did so; but it was with the greatest
wonder and astonishment that, on doubling the
cape that shuts out the sea from view, he found there
three Russian frigates at anchor, who seemed to
have made themselves quite as much at home in the
island as if they were at Cronstadt. Bustle and
activity prevailed everywhere on shore, boats were
drawn up on the beach and undergoing repairs,
stores were being landed and warehoused, sailors
were exercising with small arms, and to crown all,
the imperial flag of Russia was floating from the
summit of the buildings, which were separated
from the native town and surrounded by strong de-
fensive works.

When Sir James inquired into the particulars
of this new Russian establishment, he was
informed that they had asked permission of the
Daimio to repair their butts on shore and build
a house for the better accommodation of their
sick people, which had been readily granted; but it
appears that the repairs of their boats were never
finished and their invalids never got well, thotigh
looking remarkably healthy ; and the one building
originally intended for the hospital had gradually
increased to several, which were well fortified, and
whose occupants—even when the frigates were out
cruising—were strong and numerous enough to
overawe the native inhabitants and keep them in
check. The Russians acknowledged all this, but
added that they had orders from their admiral, who
was gone to Japan, to remain in that harbour till
his return, though they were unable to say when,
or if ever, this wou!d happen.

The fact is that Russia views with anxiety and
jealousy the daily increasing influence and com-
merce of England in China and Japan, and as she
cannot openly compete with British enterprise, she
has recourse to this underhand way of pushing for-
ward her advanced posts. It may here be stated
that Tsu•sima is not one of the ports of Japan
opened by treaty for foreign trade, and still less for
the admission of European ships of war, and by thus
occupying the island under such a specious pretext,
Russia may not only provoke the animosity of Japan
but exasperate the people of that country against
all European nations generally, which in the pre-
sent excited state of the population and their de-
cided wish to back out of their engagements, and
shut themselves up again from the rest of the world
as was the case pre-vious to the conclusion of the
treaties, is a thing to be avoided as much as pos-
sible, and especially by using the utmost caution
not to give that jealous nation of Japan any fresh
cause of complaint.

Were such an event to occur, Russia would have
little or nothing to lose, her commercial relations
with Japan being of a very trifling nature and in-
considerable value ; but in case of a war she would
be in possession of a very important position, which
might easily be rendered impregnable by a little
engineering talent and Russian military skill. She
would have in this advanced post a formidable
strategic advantage, within easy distance of her
own ports on the Amoor, from which she could re-
ceive her supplies of stores and ammunition, whilst
the sheltered security of the bay affords the most
desirable facilities for a coal depot, and a convenient
point of rendezvous for her ships of war, from which
they might with great facility undertake offensive
operations in Japan; and as easily retire, in case of
need, to refit their vessels and take on board fresh
stores of ammunition, coals, provisions, and water.
It is impossible to ascertain whether Russia really
entertains any such deep laid plans of ambition and
future aggrandisement ; but as such a course of
proceeding would be quite in harmony with the his-
tory of her traditional policy, it is not beyond the
range of possibility or even probability. It can,
therefore, only be considered in the light of a pub-
lic benefit to give open warning, and allow other
nations to place themselves on their guard, as fore-
warned is forearmed.—Daily News.