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

AN ITEII OF NAVAL NEWS.

The Post announces that "it is not improbable
that Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.8., will be appointed
to the command of the Mediterranean fleet on the
expiry of Lord Clarence Paget's term otservice."

WITHDRAWAL OP TROOPS FROM THE COLONIES.

" Africanus " writes to the Te!egraph by way of
eautio 'Leg the Government against their reported
polity of withdrawing troops from the colonies.
He says that in 1842 we left but one European
regiment in Afghanistan, and down Came the fierce
hill tribes upon us and destroyed our army and our
military prestige of invicia in indis. In 1842 we left
but one European regiment in Scindo, and but for
the genius of a glorious general should have felt the
keen edge of the Ameer's scimitar. In 1846, in con-
sequence of the same policy, we had to fight three
pitched battles with the Sikhs on the Sutlej.
In 1875 India was so drained of troops,
who were wanted in the Crimea, that Nana
Sahib was tempted to foment a mutiny
which nearly cost us our empire in the East. In
1865 the negyoes of Jamaica were tempted to rebel
because they had only one regiment to contend with
instead of five, as in former times. In 1866 we had
to fight with the Marabouts on the Gambia because
we withdrew half our garrison. In 1868 the Maorics
rose because of the departure of the Imperial sol-
diery. "Africanus" adds: "1 leave these facts to speak
for themselves." Well, what do they say ?
The three first cases have no bearing upon
the present position. We do not propose to
withdraw any troops from India, and we certainly do
not intend .to take possession of Affghanistan a
siyind time. The fourth case is unfairly stated.
'lnc wandrawai or troops which tempted. Diana
Sahib to rebel took place after the Russian war was
over, and in connection with perfectly unjustifiable
wars in Persia and China. As regards Jamaica, it
would be well if "Africanus " were a little more
explicit,'and would state when were the "former times"
of which he speaks. To the best of our belief
they were far back, and therefore the negro
rebellion should- have taken place- long before.
The war on the Gambia was caused by the indiscre-
tion of our commanders, who would persist in attack-
rig and following an invisible enemy into a perilous
and fatal position. As for the :11aories, we know the
value of-British troops against them, and how they
need to call General Cameron the " lame sea-gull,"
because he would never leave the coast for the bush.
Moreover, what have all these instances to do with
Canada ? Are there Afghans, Sikhs, African savages,
or Maories there ? If not, where is the point of this
letter by " Africanus F"

THE VOLUNTEERS.

An Elcho to the rescue of the Volunteers.
He fears not even so doughty an antagonist
as him of the Horse Guards. " Hippophylax "to
wit. He says that this writer has entirely misunder-
stood the demand for an increased capitation grant.
There is no thought of paying the men. All that is
wanted is payment of the expenses necessary for
the very existence of the force. The Govern-
ment has already admitted the justice of
this claim in principle by granting a cer-
tain sum. But this sum is now found to be
insufficient. Lord Bch° will not enter into an
argument with " Hippophylax " respecting the value
of the Volunteers. True, they have no commissariat
or other organisation, but in this respect they are no
worse off than our other reserves—the militia and the
yeomanry. As a civilian, he declares that the know-
ledge that on the threat of war we should have, in
addition to the army and militia, at least 300,000
men trained to the use of arms, greatly acids to his
sense of security.