The Sun.
London, England, 1870-09-20 00:00:00

THE FRENCH FLEET IN THE BALTIC

A maritime correspondent of the Temps, writing from
Copenhagen, says that although the French fleet in the
Baltic is rarely out of sight of land, it holds so little
communication with the shore that it is even now
partially ignorant of the serious events which
are passing in France. Only the Admiral and the
crew of the frigate Surveillante are fully informed of
the state of affairs. Wishing to know the result of
the battle of Sedan, Admiral Bonet anchored in the
bay of Bioge, where he learned the sad details. The
French fleet has never been in favour of the Bonaparte
family, and has always treated the Chief of the
State with the same indifference which he displayed
towards itself. The officers of the fleet seemed to
recognize the importance of this one thing, which
was to make a vigorous resistance to the end.
They seemed indifferent ac, to what 2.gime might
be adopted so that energetic measures were taken to save
the country. The sailors are eager to attack the Prus-
sians. The Marine is in better order than the Army. It
cannot exhibit greater courage, but it has more con-
fidence in its commanders. •It does not reason, but it
obeys. The appointment of Vice-Admiral Fourchon
to the Ministry of Marine has been well received. This
officer will be well calculated to develope the resources of
the French Marine. He can render valuable assistance
to the fleet in the north, and enable them to act with
greater vigour than they have done during the last six
weeks. On this point all has to be done over again,
whether the task is to consist in simply making a
blockade, or whether it is resolved to attempt some deci-
sive operation on the Prussian side. The worst of it is
that it has taken three days to summon the Ad-
miral, and it will take three days more to en-
able him to get to Paris. The question is if

there is still time to act. Let us hope that there is. In
awaiting fresh orders, Admiral Bouet, whose campaign
in the battle will be a credit to him, has collected his
fleet at Langeland, in the Great Belt. From thence he
can immediately proceed to return to France or begin
a new campaign on better conditions. Already the
Rochambeau has joined him. But it will not suffice, and
this formidable engine of destruction, in spite of its
incontestable superiority, will be condemned to a relative
inaction, as will also the great iron-clad fleets if

the operations are not supported by light vessels
which draw little water. However, the new
Minister of Marine knows better than any one
what can make the Northern Fleet a formidable
one. It is hoped now that he will make Paris understand
that ten men on shore under the protection of the artillery
on board are worth a hundred enemies, and that there is
still an opportunity for making a diversion in Schleswig
and Hanover, which will contribute greatly to the safety
of Paris and of France. P.S.—The advice-boat Limier
only escaped from the Prussian monitor Arminius; thanks
to its quickness. It was at the entrance of the Skagerat
that the meeting took place, and it seems certain that the
Arminius, which left Kiel with the Elisabeth, has suc-
ceeded in forcing the blockade by gliding along the sides,
which her light draught of water permitted her to do.