The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-26 00:00:00

LONDON, SA7 URDAY, MARCH 26, 1870.

IT is not at all surprising that 'the collision be-
tween the Oneida and the Bombay should have
been regarded as an " international" affair by our
friends on the other side of the Atlantic. They
1130 in this melancholy disaster another proof
of English treachery and hostility. The
animus, it might almost be said, the rancour,
of a large portion of the Americans towards England
seems to be strong enough to lead them to the con-
clusion that the Bombay abandoned the Oneida
simply because she was a United States ship. This
charge is openly recorded in some leading New
York papers, and accepted apparently with
approbation by the American public. It
is hopless to contend with such a convic-
tion. It is vain to point out that nothing in
the English character can justify the assumption
that English seamen are addicted to leaving drown-
ing men to their fate ; useless to show that it was
dark at the time of the accident, and, therefore, the
captain of the Bombay could not, itseems, discern the
nationality of the vessel he had struck ; idle to re-
mind the Americans that each nation can boast of
gallant deeds and noble services rendered to the
seamen of the other. It is a melancholy truth that
American public opinion does not seem open to such
influences. Nevertheless, there is a certain measure
of justice which ought to be rendered regardless of
the loud and ungraceful clamour raised in New
York. The result of the investigation that has taken
place cannot be called satisfactory. The whole of
the evidence has not reached this country, and that
portion with which we are acquainted is far from
being conclusive, or even thoroughly intelligible.
The American ship was struck and sank
in fifteen minutes, and yet the English captain
and several of his passengers assure us that they knew
nothing about it. The shock was a mere graze.
The lady passengers did not feel it. Had the collision
happened in the open sea, Captain Eyre admits that
he ought to have stopped and ascertained the extent
of the damage : but he was in command of a
mail steamer; his instructions were to stop for
nothing, except the saving of life ; and it was not cus-
tomary to take any steps to discover the extent of
damage in case of a collision near the land.
The English public can hardly rest satisfied with
this exposition. Whatever may be the "custom," it
is prinui facie the duty of every captain whose ship
has come into collision with another to inform him-
self whether the damage is such as to require assist-
ance. A collision is not a common occurrence, and
when such a disaster does happen, the consequences
usually are very serious ; and no question of saving
time with mails, important as that object may be,
ought to interfere with the claims of humanity.
Altogether the case is one which demands a searching
inquiry. On the one side is the statement of Captain
Eyre as to the apparently trivial character
of the accident ; but against this evidence
are to be set the pregnant facts that the
crash seemed to those on board the Oneida to stave
in the whole side of the ship, that the vessel did
actually sink in fifteen minutes from the time of the
shock, that her guns, which were previously fired,
were heard at Yokohama, three miles off—though
the sound did not penetrate to the ears of Captain
Eyre and his colleagues, who were close at hand.
The obscure inquiry, which has resulted in a suspen-
sion of Captain Eyre's certificate for six months,
does not appear to have fully appreciated the
difficulties of this question. The dilemma is obvious
enough : if the commander of the Bombay were
guilty, the sentence is inexcusably light ; if he had
done all that could reasonably be expected, he should
have escaped all punishment. A fuller investigation
into the facts is imperatively needed. It is due, not
to the exaggerated outcry at New York, but to our
own sense of justice ; for it is all but certain that
the American officers and seamen who were lost
might have been saved, in great part at least, if the
officers and crew of the Bombay had awakened to the
necessity. It may be that Captain Eyre can justify
himself. It would be very premature to decide other-
wise, for there are undoubtedly some facts to be
urged on his side. But it is not the less true that a
thoroual inauiry is needed.

THE REPRESENTATION OF BRISTOL.

(BY TELEGRAPH.)
BRISTOL, Saturday.

At the nomination tbis morning there was great
uproar. Mr. Robinson was proposed by Mr. Ter-
rell, and seconded by Mr. Wedmore. Mr. Hare
was proposed by Mr. Ffooks, and seconded by Mr.
Kearsey. While Mr. Robinson was speaking the
front portion of the hustings gave way, and there
was much confusion. No one was seriously in-
jured. Mr. Robinson and Mr. Hare afterwards
spoke briefly. The show of hands was in favour of
Mr. Robinson. A poll was demanded, and fixed for
Monday.