The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-27 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 27, 1865.

It will be seen that the " correct copy" of Earl I
RUSSELL'S Despatch differs but slightly from the
version: already set forth, but inasmuch as this one
is known to be genuine, no doubt the effect it will
produce upon the mind will be more striking ; and
besides no one can make captious remarks and
insinuate that such and such a thing is exaggerated.
It will be seen that in some passages more modified
expressions are made use of than in the former
pUblication, but still the tone is the same through-
out—one of indignant remonstrance and disap-
pointed expectations. In this circular we find the
passage in which it is stated that all rights, " old
and new, whether founded on the solemn compact
of Sovereign, or on the clear expression of the
popular will, have been set at nought by the Con-
vention of Gastein, and the dominion of force is
the sole power acknowledged and regarded." This
is, in fact, the sum total of the whole affair, and
most correctly designates the conduct of those who
have rendered themselves so odious in the sight of
Europe by their unjust usurpation and unseemly
In this despatch, as in the other, the effect
is rather spoiled by the concluding intimation, that
observations on the subject are not to be addressed
to the Court to which the ambassador is accredited,
but they are " intended to point out what
is the language to hold when an oppor-
tunity shall present itself. It would seem,
however, as if the merest hint or intimation
of reprisals or reproofs were too much for the tem-
per of the Prussian authorities to endure, and ac-
cordingly we hear that great offence has been given
by touching on the awkward subject of the Gastein
Convention, and especially by reference to the
comments passed thereupon by the other great
Powers of Europe. It is stated that the Konigsberg
Zeitung has been seized for reprinting Lord Rus-
SELL'S despatch on the Convention. Such a course
cannot but defeat its own object, and meanwhile it
shows that the shaft has found its mark, and that
those depredators have no worse accusers than their
own consciences. A better proof cannot be afforded
of the scandalous manner in which the liberties of
the subject and the constitutional privileges of the
country are interfered with in Prussia than the
fact, that power is conceded to the " local police"
to decide whether or not an article seems a dubious
or dangerous one, and if they do, they seize the
journal in question, and wait for the final decision
of the court. The whole workings of the system
are heartless and arbitrary in the extreme, besides
being often positively unjust, for it often happens
that a year or two elapses before a dispute
is decided between the authorities and the
Press. There are endless hindrances when the
matter is at last brought before the Court;
and as there are the courts of appeal as well as the
lower court that first adjudicates upon the case, it
stands to reason that a long delay often occurs. If
a year passes before it is settled whether the defen-
dants are to be acquitted and have their property
restored, or whether it is to be destroyed, serious
injuries are inflicted upon those whom even those
official persecutors may pronounce to be innocent.
A state of things such as is thus produced is
totally subversive of all freedom in its truest
sense and fullest signification. It seems strange
that a people who had progressed so far as the
Prussians should submit to such tyranny and
misrule. There is something very rotten in the
State that contains such laws, and something want-
ing in the people who tolerate them. Herr BIS-
MARCK has for ever lost the esteem and respect of
all lovers of freedom ; and it is difficult to decide
whether he has committed himself to a greater ex-
tent in trampling on the rights of the people at
home, or in injuring and despoiling those abroad.
lie is one of the old school of despotic states-
men that well-wishers of the human race had
hoped to see exterminated.
Nothing is more to be regretted in this unfor-
tunate episode of the Gastein Convention than
the part which Austria has played. For some
time the " rights of the good and the fears of the
wise" had turned to that power as the only one
which might avert the calamity that threatened
Europe in the confiscation of the rights of nations,-
and the undue extension of the Prussian rule. Theee
expectations have most unfortunately not . been
realised one iota, for the Berlin— Govern- ,

acts.

ment have ridden roughshod over rights and
privileges. It was, however, intended in Vienna at
one time to adopt a more popular policy ; but cir-
cumstances proved adverse to its accomplishment.
The Austrian Government desired to defend the
rights of the Duchies, and to protect those of the
Germanic Confederation ; but it was found that the
means necessary to meet the expenses of a hostile
demeanour were too heavy for the Finance Minister
to meet. In an evil hour the intimation was given
to submit to the dictates of Herr BISMARCK. It is
very much to be regretted that things should come
to such a pass, for, without proceeding to extre-
mities, the mere fact of Austria being strong
enough and rich enough to assume an independent
attitude would have worked wonders in the more
satisfactory adjustment of the " vexed question" of
the Duchies. As it is, we have but to deplore
the combination of circumstances that has led
to such a fatal issue, and has presented
to Europe the disheartening spectacle of a great
wrong being perpetrated and a crying injustice
done, with no interference from any of the leading
Powers who are pledged to the protection of Con-
stitutional rights. The only good that can be
gained from this most vexatious circumstance is the
opportunity thus presented of judging of the fatal
consequences of a laissez aller policy when pushed
to extremities. It is positively scandalous to re-
flect upon the tame and mean spirited manner in
which our relations with the Germanic States have
been conducted, and more especially with respect to
Prussia. From this unpardonable error may be
dated the origin_of the misfortunes of Schleswig-
, Holstein.

It is satisfactory to learn, by the arrival of the
Bombay Mail, that the Government at last intend
to take active measures for the conclusion of the
Bhootan affair. There is no greater mistake, in
dealing with semi-barbarous countries, whose cli-
mate or conditions are of themselves perilous to
Europeans, than to delay and temporise, with the
hope of evading hostilities. To provoke needless
bloodshed is, of course, as unpardonable as it is
foolish, but this method of endeavouring to save
life is, in reality, most destructive of it. Trained
English troops can much better afford to face a
formidable array of regular legions than those
mysterious and intangible enemies which
lurk in the jungles or the marshes, which
deal destruction as surely as silently. In our anxiety
to spare the lives of our soldiers in Bhootan we have
sacrificed far more than would probably have suc-
cumbed in a regular attack upon the enemy, and a
determined invasion of his territories. The occu-
pation of the Dooars has cost the lives of many
valuable officers and men, while it has failed in
attaining the object desired and bringing the Bhoo-
tanese to terms. The worst of such mistakes is
that the inhabitants of the country naturally know
its dangers and its probable effect upon foreigners,
and therefore they rely upon its assistance in getting
rid of the invaders, The Russian general who
reckoned on the aid of his good generals, January
and February, was not alone in his policy. The
King of ASIIANTEE counted with equal certainty on
the deadly climate of the African coast, and the
Bhootanese in their turn must have watched with
satisfaction the gradual sickening of the English
troops. The Bombay Times of the 23rd tells us
that sad accounts had been received of the health
of the forces at Bhootan. Four officers belonging
to the 11th Native Infantry have died, and seven
others have been sent away ill. So severely has the
force suffered that the men left form merely a rem-
nant of the former corps. It is now intended to
raise two Coolie corps of 500 each, which are to be
commanded by European officers. A force of not
less than 7,000 men, 1,000 of whom are to be
Europeans, are to be brought together for the in-
vasion of the Bhootanese territories, and, therefore,
we may hope that affairs will actually be brought
to a crisis. It is determined at last to march into
the interior in the cold season, so that, of course, it
is no longer an object to retain the unhealthy posts
in the Dooars. When we hear of one corps having
400 men in hospital it is certainly time to act, but
why was not this course adopted during the last
cold season ? How many might have been spared
long weary months of sickness and incapacity ; how
many might have been saved pain and premature
graves. Our authorities certainly do not shine in
arranging these insignificant wars, in which they
suffer themselves to be embroiled so easily, and
which drag their weary length, wasting men's lives
and the public money, and weakening our influence
and prestige. A great nation like England, if she
determines upon punishing the insolence, or bad
faith of minor States, should do so promptly and
vigorously. There should be no temporising, no
vacillation ; but, above all, there should be no
putting of her forces in places where they have to
contend against natural disadvantages, and where the
insignificant enemy can match with triumph the
gradual diminution of those who were sent to sub-
due them. The Bhootan affair has been badly
managed from first to last, and we must hope that
the painful experience of the last year will' nduce
the military and civil authorities to push on the
conclusion with a vigour and a resolution which
shall prevent a recurrence of the causes of the war.
The general health of Bombay is, fortunately,
good, though there has been a good deal of rain.
In some parts of the country there have been very
destructive inundations. The commercial prospects
are improving, and the increase of the means of
transport and communication argues well for the
future. A steamer is to be dispatched once a month
between Bombay and Suez, and vice versa, in con-
nection with the Liverpool and Alexandria steamers;
and still more important news, the railway line be-
tween Calcutta and Delhi was to be opened for
through traffic on the 14th inst.. What a wonderful
innovation on the traditions of the GREAT MOGUL.

A striking instance of the rapid changes which
sometimes occur in the fortunes and prospects of a
country has just been given in the aspects of
Canadian affairs. Happily the change is all in the
right direction, a fact which England will rejoice
at scarcely less than Canada. Our North American
provinces have been passing through a time of
sevore trial and difficulty, but they are now for-
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tun
ad
to c
dl eeaprreere i aat
et mc oasnpal
di eiraen.
depress the Canadian market, but
goods and to
all these causes seem simultaneously to have been
removed. The sudden and unexpected termination
of the American war has produced a demand
for articles of all kinds, while the cattle plague in
England has raised the price of meats immensely.
war mr
It was always expected that when the
as over
there would be a great increase in the demand for
goods, but the conclusion came so abruptly that
neither American nor English manufacturers were
prepared for it, and Canada has consequently
reaped the benefit. The mills in England, it is said,
are running extra time, but are unable to fulfil the
orders given from the States ; and the Canadian
merchants have received a large amount of letters
asking for staple articles of all descriptions. So
1
great is the anxiety of some customers to
obtain goods - that they are , willing to
pay both duties to get them. We can
fancy what a stimulus this sudden influx of the