The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-29 00:00:00

THE FRENCH NAVY.

The National contains the following observations on
the neglected state of the French navy:—
" France has always been a naval power of the first
order whenever a man of strong determination, ani-
mated with national sentiments, has been placed at
the head of the Marine Department. Such are
still the inexhaustible resources of our country,
and the wonderful aptitude of the population of
our coasts, that if the Ministers of Marine of
the late Government had taken advantage of the
eighteen years of peace enjoyed since 1930, the good
feeling of our nation, and the 1,700,000,000 f. which were
apportioned in the annual budgets, we cannot doubt
but that France would have rapidly resumed the
rank on the sea which our maritime reverses '
during our great continental wars caused us to
lose. But insurmountable obstacles were opposed
by the fatal policy of the House of Orleans, which ,
did not wish to create a navy, fearing to displease Eng-
lanct What has been the result ? At present we have
an insufficient fleet, and our arsenals are empty. We can
no longer delay to direct the attention of the Provisional
Government to our alarming situation, particularly at
a moment when England has increased her armaments
so considerably. Everything is to be created in
the administration of the marine, and we have not seen
since the revolution of February any new measure
adopted to raise our navy. We have certainly remarked
some modifications of detail, of which we do not wish to
depreciate the merit, and we are ready to do honour to the
sympathies of the Minister of Marine for the condition
of our seamen. But, we say it with regret, we find the same
men, the same regulations, the same habits, which
Cannot fail to perpetuate the same abuses, and to lead
to similar results. We call, therefore, upon the Pro-
visional Government to appoint a commission for the
army,tbe causes anmavpyle, apsoait.ehrasstodoinnveelsotrigtahteeuinvested u
rwi th
maritimeh e m
do
es
.t
cay, and to propose such fre orms as the preservation of our
naval power demands. -11
in order that the commis-
sion shall attain this
object, we must introduce into it
new men, whose firmness is equal to their experience,
and who
the wounds, to point
out all abuses, to reveal all frauds, and to stop short at
no innovation."

MARKET INTELLIGENCE.
(From the London IVew Price Current of April 2g.)
6
roka.—To-day a further advance was apparent in
the value of all descriptions of raw Sugar, and the quan-
tity
brought to market was not more than requisite for
the wants of the trade. The market has A firm aspect.
West India Muscovado met with a good demand, and
realised stiffer rates, making the rise for the week 6d to
Is per cwt. At auction 81 hhds, 6 trcs, and 41 brls of
Berbice went at 36a to 86s 6d for middling grey, and at
35s 6d per cwt for low. To-day 490 Whim were sold,
making 1,626 hhds and-tree for the week.
REFINED.—To-day refined Sugar was much sought
after by the home trade, but the quantity on offer was
small. Prices closed with firmness. Standard Lumps
at 54s 6d, and brown grocery 53s 6d per cwt. Bonded
Crushed Sugar is in good demand, the best make realises
27s per cwt.
114suaincs.—This afternoon much desire was
..
mani-
fested to do business in 31auritius Sugar, and 5,308 ba.B
at public sate sold at 6d advance; good yellow realised
;:s to
o3Bsmiddling
35s to low and
8s 6d.
g3rBrsyto33sBss66dd:
375, washed
3t.d and syrupyash
Privately several parcels were disposed of.
EAST INDIA.—Phis afternoon the market was much
better supplied with Bengal sugar : the quantity cifertd
at public sale amounted to 8,425 bkgs and 4 casks, but
518 e6dd,3Bfisntoe
nearly the whole sold at 6d to Is advance ; Benav, g
white fetched 42s to 42s 6d, good 41s: 61clo,wmaiduddl•mt
middling
:inn:
40s 6d, low 393 to 39s 6d, damp and wash"' 'lt:
4'2s 6d, fine grainy white 50s 6(1 to
yellow 45s to 475, good 41s to 43
34s 6d to 38s, and ordinary brown 30E,
and;lowampiddli
355. 300 bags Madras sold at 28s
brown, out of condition, went at 27s
31s, low and middling yellow 32s 6d to 336 6d, and good
to good 30s to
greyish yellow Os, and which 's
of
Singapore, middling
and at 31s for yellow ~ 21 case
Oms.—This afternoon at public sale, 50 tuns Belize
brown,
are rather better prices.
Ground Nut Oil, of fine
;,c)c) tuns southern are dectyllp, sold at 38/. lOs to 391.
tor Friday next.