The Sun.
London, England, 1869-02-09 00:00:00

RAGS IN PAPER MILLS.

A paper manufacturer writes to the Morning Post
in answer to the statement recently made in that
journal as to the dirty condition of the rags used in
the mills. Ile says that they are generally cleaned
by a process of " dusting," in order to
ascertain that other matters are not mixed
with them by the rag merchant. The
paper manufacturer affirms that he has never known
a case of cholera in the mills, and that few persons
enjoy such immunity from contagious illness as the
workpeople employed in them. He adds some curious
statistics to his letter, shewing that during eleven
months there were imported 15,668 tons of linen
and cotton rags, and the exports consisted of
3,704, leaving a balance of 11,874 tons for home
consumption. During the same period the import of
esparto, or Spanish grass, was 80,132 tons, and this
is so useful an article that without it the price of
paper would he seriously affected. As it is, the paper
manufacturers complain loudly of the state of their
trade, and assert that the competition to which they
are subjected in the present treaty with Belgium is 1
unfair and oppressive.

FOREIGN NOTES,
TURKEY AND GREECE.‘

The situation at Athens is very grave. King George
attempted to form a Ministry under the leadership of
Zaimis—a politician of whom nothing is known out of
Greece save that it will require an act of political regene-
ration to enable him to embrace a pacific policy. The
paper Cabinet of Zaimis fell to pieces, and then the King
tried the late Finance Minister, then Comondouros, and
afterwards Bulgaris again. None of these could or
would form a Cabinet, and the unknown Zaimis had again
to be applied to. According to a Reuter's telegram he
had succeeded in getting a Ministry together, but
the Etendurd believes this statement to be a
decided improvement on the actual fact. Nothing, how-
ever, remains but to await the termination of this political
Chancery case. The second period of eight days will not
expire until next Monday. The Constitutionnel is autho-
rised to state that Count Walewski will leave Athens at
the end of that period, with or without an answer to the
declaration of the Conference. At Athens the agitation
is in part taking, the ominous form of "War Or -4 10'.
cation."

COUNT BISMARCK.
Last year Count Bismarck narrowly escaped death by
assassination in one of the most frequented streets of Berlin.
This attempt and the fact that the Prussian Chancellor
has more enemies than any politician in Europe, gave
credence to a statement of the Cross Gazette, that a
friendly Government had warned Count Bismarck
of the existence of another design against his
life. The statement appears to have been true. A
Hanoverian student, instigated by political hatred, had
formed a plot for assassinating the Prussian statesman,
and the " friendly Government " which gave timely warn-
ing was Austria, represented by Count Beust. The
Austrian has heaped coals of fire on the Prussian's head.
To the man whom he openly abused, Count Bismarck is
indebted for a good office of the highest moment.

DISARMAMENT.
Sweden promises to set Europe another good example.
The Second Chamber of the Rigsraad has submitted to a
commission a proposition that the aid of the King be
solicited for the purpose of bringing about a general dis-
armament. This important motion was passed by 120
votes to 20. The minority argued that Sweden was not a
State of sufficient importance to take the initiative in a
movement of this kind ; but the majority wisely replied
that the good which nations may bring about is not to be
measured by their political importance. In another inter-
national question, the abolition of passports, the Swedes
had led the way, and were speedily followed by their
powerful neighbours. They will doubtless find that
abolishing passports and standing armies are two very
different undertakings, but the principle is good. never-
theless.