The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-23 00:00:00

THE PROSPECTS OF PE ACE.

A private letter from Brussels contains the fol-
lowing remarks on the great question of the day :
"Tlie bases of the treaty, such as they have been sent
to Yienna,rcontain one word to which great importance
is attached, and which I confess I do not uuderstand
—it is the neutralisation of the Black Sea, and which
forms the first article. It is not the novelty of the
expression which alarms me, but the real sense that
we ought to attach to it. What does neutrality mean iu
time of peace ? It is evidently nonsense, or rather 4
'contradiction. Can it be that there is an intention to re-
peat the fault committ-d with regard to Belgium, when it
was understood that Belgium sauu Id remain neutral in
any wars which might take place between the different
nations of Europe. That treaty was undoubtedly made
against Louis Philippe, and took from his natural
ally ; but it is equally known that this sort of
neutrality is only respected when a Power does not find
it to he its interest to violate it. If by neutralisation of
the Black Sea is meant that no ship of war shall
be allowed to enter the Dardanelles, it is precisely
what• existed before the war. If by it is meant the
convention made between R,ussia and Turkey under
the guarantee of the other Pewers, which provides that
neither of those States shall have ships of war in the
Black Sea, it cannot be t,rined a neutralisation. If,
then, this word had a meaning, it would be necessary to
. believe, that even in time of war Turkey could not mak •
use of her Marine, neither to annoy the coasts of Russia,
'nor succour her maritime provinces Should they be in-
vaded by land armies—which would' be absurd. If
Russia wished to attack Germany, or taking advantage
• of. the little energy put forth by the German States,
wished to excite them
.agaiao
.Ifrance, .-France would
not'haielbe right to profit
.by her alliance with
Turkey, and to transport her fleet and her troops to the
Black Sea. .It would he the same if British India were
to be menaced by Russia. We are then justified in de-
manding that the word neutralisation shall be effaced ;
for oa concluding peace it is absurd and dangerous to
anticipate eases of war.

"The Western Powers have reserved to themselves
the right, independently of the four articles, to require
from Russia guarantees for the maintenance of peace. It
is quite evident that these exigencies ought to be ex-
tremely moderate ; but it is equally evident that no one
can pronounce that to be exorbitant that is indispensable
for thesecurity of Eur Ope, that is to say, the re-establish-
ment of the treaties of 1815, and such as they existed in
1830. It was for the equilibrium of Europe that the pro-
vince taken by Russia from Prussia, her ancient ally,
had been constituted as as independent kingdom, on
the soil of which a RusFian army should never
place its foot. Now, what is the consequence of the
present state of things 3 It is.this—that Russian armies
to the amount of from 300,000 to 400,000 men can
occupy Poland, that they can in a few days march into
Eastern Prussia, invade Silesia, Brandenburg, and enter
Berlin ; that they can by a flank march invade the
whole of Gallicia, and reacts Vienna in eight days, and
thus the masters of the whole of Germany, they can
advance to the Rhine, and in less than one month invade
France.

" It is then for the common advantage of Europe to
demand the execution of the treaties. which have never
been abrogated; and the re-establishment of those re-
mains, poor as they are, of Polish nationality. It Russia
refuse, on the ground of the insurrection of 1830, she
can be answered that all should not be punished for one
fault, and that at all events that has been sufficient!y
expiated."

AIVISTERDAM BILL WATER COMPANY.

Yesterday the Board of Comtnissarieß held their pre-
liminary meeting at the London Tavern, Mr. L. Schuster
in the chair, to receive a raport from them on the state
of the company's affairs.

The report, which was read by Mr. ADAMS, the Secre-
tary, stated that since the last general meeting held in
May last, 23 crossings of canals within the city of Am-
sterdrim had been completed, and 21,462 yards of pipes
laid down. in the Downs 2,000 additional of canal bad
been commenced, of which about 1,500 had been com-
pleted. Since that period 916 new contracts for the
supply of water had been completed. The city of Am-
sterdam contained 27,500 houses, but as yet only about
1,600 had been connected with the mains. The proxi-
mate receipts for water supplied during the past year
amounted to about 4,7501., and the expenditure charge.
able against revenue to about 2,5001., leaving a balance
out of which it was anticipated the full dividend for the
past six months upon the capital called upon the new
shares could be paid. The report, at great length, re-
ferred to the charges that had been brought against the
directors by Mr. Croker, thelate engineer. First, that he
had been removed from Lis office by the influence of
Mr. Barrow, the contractor, whose ill-will he had incur-
red. Secondly, that the cause of his dismissal was also
to be attributed to his opposing the construction of a
high level reservoir in the Downs, a scheme which he
stated had been concocted for the purpose of using a
portion of the pipes that had been sent over to Amster-
dam by the contractor, contrary to Mr. Croker's orders.
Thirdly, that the Commissaries had:allowed Mr. Barrow
to carry out his contract in an improper manner ; and,
fourthly, that at the last preliminary general meeting,
the Commissaries nominated four directors contrary to
the recommendations of that meeting. To these charges
the Commissariesjgave a denial, as well as to another
that Mr. Croke' was ordered back to Amsterdam pre-
vious to the last meeting, that he might be deprived of
attending that meeting.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the reception and adoption
of the report, adverted to the prosperous state of the
undertaking, and at great length
_referred to the charges
that had been made against the hoard Ist, Mr. Croker,
which had been published and circulated in a pamphlet.
lie denied the truth of those charges, and asked the
meeting not to press the board then for an explanation,
because the question of Mr. Croker's dismissal was now
alli(ittihierycoinndtuhcist countryand
r also
itnh e
Holland.au eet o f
He
defendedjudicial el
directors, and also the board of commissaries. board ot'
Mr. liongraLL said he recollected meeting Mr. Croker
on the morning of the London meeting, who informed hint
that the commissaries had told him (Mr. Croker) that
it would be worse for him if he remained and attended
the meeting.
The CHAIR/cot denied that he bad done any-
thing to compel Mr.. Croker to leave. That gentleman
left Amsterdam at a critical time against the wish of the
directors, and he (the Chairman) told him he had don•
wrong in leaving. At a subsequent meeting at Am-
sterdam, where he and Mr. Croker were presenl, the
latter trade no charges against him.
Mr. CROKEH—I roost solemnly protested against your
mode of proceeding.
A very lengthened and animated discussion ensteed, in
the course of which various charges were made asi.ains
t
the directors, the authenticity of which were dersired by
the Chairman
Mr. MoxoN afterwards suggested that an ,
invoe liba-
tion should be made by a committee into the truth or
falsehood of the charges that bad been brought a gainst
the directors by Mr. Croker. it was to the irate rest of
the directors to clear themselves of the charges, sand of
equally great importance to Mr. Croker, whose -profes-
sional reputation was
affected by it. He moved. :a reso-
lution to that effect. _
A SEuRETIoLDEn seconded the resolution.
The CHAIRMAN resisted the appointment of 'such a
committee. It would be the means of discove ring to
Mr. Croker the points they relied on to defer id the
actions that gentleman had brought against them .
The motion was rejected,
Mr. CHOKER addressed the meeting in vindication of
his conduct, and in support of the statements be beal p ut
forth affecting the management of the company end the,
manner he had been treated by the directors. Fto y
rro-
ceeded to refute 'the etateroents that day made to the
meeting, and referred to documents in corrohort di, in of
his assertions, but the meeting betrayed au indisp iition
to hear him, and after several iroerruptions that rg entle-
man had to desist from addressing the shareholde {es.
The CHAIRMAN then put the motion for the ras ception
and adoption of the report, which was carried by a Large
majority.

Thanks were then voted to the chairman,. au th•
meeting separated.

Naval and Military Intelligence.

-

The sailing-transport Nelson left Portsmouth yester-
day for Constantinople, with 460 tons of provisions,
which she shipped from the Royal Clarence-yard.
The Spitfire, 5, steam-sloop, Captain Sprott, C. 8.,
arrived at Spithead on Monday night from the Mediter-
ranean, where she had been employed on surveying ser-
vice. She was to sail last night for Woolwich to be paid
off, having been in commission since April, 1851.
The Cr.r.s.sar, 91, screw-ship, Captain Robb, got up
steam in the steam-basin at Portsmouth yesterday, after
having had her machinery extensively repaired. The
trial of the engines was very satisfactory. The Caesar is
to go out of the steam-basin to-day, and will in a few
days prooeed to Spithead.
The Tickler steam gun-boat arrived at Portsmouth
yesterday from Sheerness, and the Sandfly on Monday,
to join the divisions of gnn-boats fitting for the Baltic.
The Ariel, 9, screw-sloop, Commander Maxim, left
Spithead yesterday morning for Gibraltar.
The A jas, 60, screw-ship, Captain Warden, is to leave
Spithead in a few days for Leith, to be stationed there
as a guard-ship.
The Rodney, 90, Captain Moorsorn, is discharging
stores, &e., at Portsmouth, prior to being converted into
a shell magazine for the Baltic.
The Indian steam-transport was ordered to leave
Portsmouth yesterday for Plymouth, to embark troops.
From Plymouth she will go to Dublin.
The Geyser, 6, paddle-sloop, Commander Dew, was
taken alongside her hulk at Portsmouth yesterday to
receive her crew.

The Orient sailing-transfort loft Portsmouth yesterday
to discharge old stores at Deptford, and to be paid out
of the transport service.
. .

A Naval Patriotic Association has been formed at
Sunderland, with the view of raising a sum of money for
the purpose of manning one or more of the gun-boats
building on the Wear. It was set on foot by Mr. D.
Jonassohn, colliery owner, who communicated with the
Admiralty with the view of ascertaining if Government
would countenance the scheme. An answer, couched in
terms of cordial approval, was returned, and conveying
all necessary information upon the subject. The men
who enter are to have the option of claiming their dis-
charge at the end of this year's Baltic season, and the
master in charge of the rendezvous has been ordered to
Afford every assistance to the association. A meeting of
the members was held on Monday, when it was resolved
to offer a bounty of 101. to each volunteer. Among the
subscriptions announced at the meeting were, Messrs.
W. Briggs and Son, shipbuilders, 100/. ; Mr. Jonassohn,
50/, ; the Mayor of the borough, 20/. ; &c.
An order was issued yesterday to the Commandant of
the Provisional Battalion, Chatham, for the volunteers
from the Provisional Battalion to the 41st, 55th, 62d,
and 90th Regiments to proceed to-morrow morning, in
command of Ensign G. S. Black, 99th Regiment, to
Teinplemore and Mullingar, to join their respective
corps. On the same day the volunteers to the 46th and
95th are to proceed with one non-commissioned officer,
in command of Alfred J. Tuke, 64th Regiment, to Win-
chester and Parkhurst. On Friday the remainder of
the volunteers to the let, 9tb, 30th, 33d, and 50th Regi-
ments, in command of Capt. James Baillie, sth Regi-
ment, and three non-commissioned officers, are to pro-
ceed to Limerick and Rermoy,

Orders have been received at head-quarters of the
Royal Marines, at Woolwich, to the effect that lists may
be transmitted to the office of the Assistant Adjutant-
General, made out in the usual manner, of such men of
the division, of the following description, who are desi-
rous of volunteering for the Artillery corps—namely,
height not under 5 feet 8 inches, of strong muscular
frame, general intelligence, and good character. Men
not able to read and write are to express their willing-
ness to attend school.

Lieut. Symons bas been appointed to the command of
the gun-boat Charger, fitting out in Woolwich basin.
The Charger will be ready to join the squadron in a day
or two.

The Vixen arri►ed at Woolwich on Monday e►ening
from Portsmouth.

The ingeniously contrived percussion-cap-making ma
chine, lately purchased by Government, and which was
temporarily set into operation on the occasion of the
late Royal visits to Woolwich Arsenal, is now perm,
nEntly fixed in the large machinery room of the Royal
Laboratory there. The advantage which this apparatus
possesses consists of the facility of forming and charging
the cap at the same time. The machine is supplied with
copper in sheets (12in. by 4Sin.). The blank is cut,
formed, and charged without handling, producing 3,000
caps per hour, ready for being varnished. The patentee
is a Mr. Wright, an American engineer.
A party of invalids arrived at Chatham yesterday, in
command of Assistant-Surgeon White, 3d Dragoon
Guards, with Hospital Dresser Pullvet. In additian to
the wounded were five men of the Land Transport Corp,,
all direct from the Crimea. Dr. Hiffernan, 19th Regt ,
inspected them previously to their being admitted into
hospital. _ _ _

The Commander in-Chief has sanctioned the appoint-
ment of Capt. G..T. de Winton to be Major of Brigade
at Smyrna to the British Swiss Legion, which corps he
has lately been assisting to raise and organise.

APPOINTMENTS. -
The following appeared in our late edition last
night :

LLIUTENANTS.
R. P. Jenkins to the Flying Fish.
D. E. Orr to the
C. G. F. Knowles to the Sappho.
G. W. Strong to the Arrogant.

MATE.
G. F. Bridges (acting) to the Flying Fish.

ASSISTANT PAT3IA3TEIS.
William .T. Comerford to the Algiers.
John S. Moon to the Rnyal George.

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS—Jan. 22.

(Before Mr. Pashley, Q.C., Assistant-Judge, and a
Bench of Magistrates.)
Jonathan Parma, 22, carpenter, was indicted for
stealing two railway tickets, the property of the London
and Noith-Western Company.
Mr. Giffard appeared for the prosecution. The prisoner
pleaded guilty by the advice of his counsel, Mr. Hurry.
The circumstances' of the case stated to the court were
these. On the 10th of December the prisoner arrived at
Wolverton by the half-past four o'clock train, and pre-
sented a passenger ticket ; but in consequence of there
being something suspicious about it, the collector felt
it to be his duty to take him before the station-master.
The ticket was much defaced, and was such a one as
would not be issued from Euston station to Wolverton,
as it purported to be. An investigation took place,
and after considerable trouble, Mr. Belford, superin•
tendent of the railway police at Wolverton, ascertained
that the ticket in question and another had been stolen
from Sudbury station, and erasures mane on the
face of it by the prisoner, who went to Wolverton, and
presented it, as a regularly-issued and paid•for ticket,
expecting that the erasures on it would prevent dotes-
Con. The prisoner bad been skulking about Sudbury-
station for some time.
The Assistant-Judge sentenced him to 3 months' hard
labner.

William flarr;s, 24, Benjamin James, 26, and Charles
Jones, 17, were ind►cted for stealing a gold watch, value
601.. the property of James Lees, from his person.
Mr. Laurence prosecuted, Mr. Ribton defended James,
Mr. Giffard appeared for Harris, and Jones was nut
defended.

On the evening of the 9th inst. the prosecutor, a re-
tired tradesman, living at No. 8, Rockingha►n-row East,
New Kent-road, went to Saville-house, Leicester-square,
to ace a " sparring match." While there he was robbed
of his watch ; and the evidence of Cole, 53 C, a detec-
tive, went to show that the prisoners were together there,
and that at least two of them, Harris and James, acted
iu concert in the co►n►nission of the offence. The evi-
dence afzainst Junes was less conclusive.
The jury found James and Harris guilty, and ac-
quitted Jones.

Numerous convictions were proved against Harris and
James ; the latter had been sentenced to 18 months for
robbery with violence, and two years for smashing,
The Assistant-Judge sentenced James to four years'
penal servitude, and Harris to 18 months' hard labour.
Jones was cautioned as to his future conduct.

Jaime, as he was being removed, said, " I've just got
four years' penal servitude. That I don't mind ; but
I've get it wrong, that's all. I'm innocent this time,
any how. I've been a thief all my life—that's right
enough—and am a thief still ; that policeman knows it,
and be took us wrong when this robbery was done.
'Why, that watch was stole twenty minutes before we
went into Saville-house, as I know. So we didn't do
it. I'd steal a dozen watches, too, if you like, if I'd half
a chance ; but, take my word, I didn't have that."
(Before Mr. Witham.)
A TICSXT-OP-LEAYE KAN'S PUPILS.
Edward Cain, 15 ; Cornelius Driscoll, 14 ; and Ed-
ward 4'elland, 14, were indicted for unlawfully attempt-
ing feloniously and burglamionely to break and enter the
dwelling-house of John William Gardner, with intent to
steal goods and chattels therein being.
From the evidence of Waiter Holmes, police constable
50 F, it appeared that at halt-past 3 o'clock, on the
morning oft be 17th of December, he was standing at
the end of B!aekmoor-street, Drury-lane, when he ob-
served the three prisoners in company. When they
saw him they turned into Vinegar-yard, and thence to
Russell-court, when Driscoll left the other two, Went
into a corner, had a good look round, and rejoining the
others, they all went into a coffee shop in Brydges-
street, where they remained some time. On leaving they
went into White Hart-street, where Cain and Yolland
stooped down and tried to force open a cellar flap with
part of a broken walking stick, the others being on the
look-out. Hearing the approaching footsteps of the
policeman on the beat, they ran off, and Holmes lost
sight of them for a while, but from a report he bad from
the constable,
he went to tnhe
wKyienhgetorfee, wherePtrueeiap they
übl ic
but -
house, the prosecutor's, i
attempted to raise the cellar-flap, it fell, and made
Inch a noise that they ran a short distance, and then
watched to see if any one had been disturbed. They
made a second attempt to get the flap up as a cart was
going by, but catching a glimpse of the policeman, they
all darted off at the top off their speed. They were pur-
sued, captured, and taken to the station.
The jury found them guilty.
Cain and Driscoll weld shown to be notorious thieves.
Nothing was known of Yolland. The officers stated
that the former had been initiated into crime by a ticket-
of-leave man who fell in with them in the pit of a theatre.
He put them through a course of instruction in burglary,
and induced one of them, who was then in the employ
of an ironmonger, in Tottenham-court-road, to tell him
where his master kept his money, and "put him up" to
taking wax impressions of the loek of the safe. That
wan had since been tried for burglary, and sentenced to
six years' penal servitude.
Mr. Witham sentenced Cain aud Driscoll to 12 months
hard labour each, and Yolland to six months.