The Sun.
London, England, 1869-09-30 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 30, 1869.

2 ,
nipt
tl.„1 Sult,

Corps L6gislatif is postponed week after week, and
the EMPEROR'S subjects, remembering in what a
Gordian fashion he cut the knot on a former occasion,
are beginning to dread another resort to the sword,
another coup tretut. We do not ourselves think

that such a contingency is possible. As
we pointed out on a former occasion, the
circumstances in which the EMPEROR finds himself
are very different from those which prevailed in 18.51.
Then the magic of his name was able to rally to his
cause eight millions of Frenchmen. The illusion is
destroyed, and he could not now count upon half that
number. Moreover, it does not seem as if a repetition
of December 2 were contemplated when we see
General FLEURY, the man who above all others was
responsible for the massacre of eighteen years ago,
sent to Russia as Ambassador. The General and the
Duke of PERSIGNY are, besides the EMPEROR him-
self, almost the only survivors of the conspirators
who plotted against French liberties in the Elysee
on that memorable December night. PERSIGNY is
not now in office, FLEURY is out of the country,
and NAPOLEON is a hopeless invalid. There do
not seem to be any materials here for a transition
requiring so much energy as a State blow.
Turning to Germany, we find a question that has
for some time been in abeyance coming to the front.
After Sadowa, and on several occasions since,
NAPOLEON has warned Prussia that any attempt to
cross the Mein diplomatically, any endeavour
to obtain the entry of South Germany into the
North German Confederation, would be considered a
casus belli. BISMARCK thereupon bided his time.
He allowed -NAPOLEON to increase his armies, to
strengthen his fortresses, and to render himself more
unpopular than ever by the conscription and heavy
taxation. Then when the popular ill-will was
excited, and when the ruler of France was lying
upon a sick bed, the wily German renewed his
negotiations, and at this present moment arrangements
are being made for the accession of the Grand Duchy
of Baden to the Confederation. Nor is this all.
NAPOLEON hitherto has counted upon the alliance of
Austria to frustrate this event. But now we are told
in a semi-official Vienna paper that the CROWN PRINCE
of PRUSSIA is about to visit the Austrian capital with
a view to a closer rapprochement than has existed
hitherto between the two great German Powers; and
it is added that it will be necessary for them to come
to some understanding by which both Powers will
"honourably and sincerely relinquish every absolute
influence in the reconstruction of the Southern
States, completely recognise the right of the
South Germans to settle their own future posi-
tion, and leave matters there to settle themselves."
In other words, the Emperor FRANCIS JOSEPH sees,
as all the rest of the world sees, that to trust to a
BONAPARTE alliance would be to rest upon a broken
reed. Three years ago it was impossible to say which
State would have the upper hand, Prussia or France.
All doubt is now at an end. If a State would be
powerful, it must be at unity within it-
self. France is nearly rent in twain by
political antagonism, and there is no telling
how soon a great catastrophe may befall. It
is not with such a State that any prudent Prince
would connect himself. Therefore it is that FRANCIS
JOSEPH has severed himself from NAPOLEON and
France, and now throws in his lot with BISMARCK
and Germany. There is little doubt but that Lord
CLARENDON'S recent visit to the Continent has been
connected with this alteration of European politics.
The Daily News has indeed positively stated that our
Foreign Secretary went to Paris in order to advise
the EMPEROR that England, Prussia, Austria, and
Russia were agreed that no hindrance must be put in
the way of German unification. In other words, the
Great Powers would not suffer a diplomatic passage
of the Mein to be made the pretext for a military
passage of the Rhine.
Turning to Spain we find a less satisfactory state of
affairs. It is now exactly twelve months since
Queen ISABELLA fled from her kingdom—since the
last of the Bourbon sovereigns vacated her throne.
Since then little progress has been made in the choice
of a successor, and none at all in the reduction of Cuba.
The kingdom itself is still a prey to anarchy; the great
American possession is still scourged by civil war. So
far as can be seen at present, it is not likely either
that the Spaniards will chose a king or recover their
colony. The Republican party increases in the mother
country ; the rebels grow more confident in the
daughter settlement. So much more easy is it to pull
down than to build up.

LATEST INTELL MENGE

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.
(Per French Atlantic Cable.)
NEW YORK, Sept. 29.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
CLOSING PRICES.

Gold closed at 132 ; the highest quotation dur-
ing the day was 1321; the lowest, 131.
Sterling Exchange on London lOB.
5-20 U. S. Bonds, 1882 ll9.
cc 4 4 1885 llBl.

64 64 1867 ll6/.
10-40 46
111in0i5..............
Erie
Cotton—Mid. upland 2Blc.
Petroleum—Standard White 3lie.
Flour, extra state, $5.95c. to $6.55c. Corn, old
mixed, sl.6c.
The Gold Board is still closed. Values are
gene-ally unsettled. The stock market is feverish,
and several large stock houses have failed or sus-
pended,

PRUSSIA.

BERLIN, Sept. 29 (Evening).

The Berlin papers publish intelligence from Con-
stantinople stating that the differences between the
Porte and the Viceroy of Egypt have been almost
entirely arranged through the mediation of the
Great Powers. At the present time there is but
one point of disagreement, and that will probably
be soon settled.

THE LORD LIEUTENANT AT CORK.

The Cork papers contain accounts of the reception of
the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and Countess Spencer at
Cork. His Excellency's reply to the address of the
Corporation was as follows:—." As representative of the
Queen, I accept your welcome and acknowledge it
in her Majesty's name. I am happy that my first
visit to Cork is connected with a highly important public
work—the inauguration of a Government dock at Haul-
bowline. The position makes it a ready access from tho
Atlantic, and its other natural advantages well adapt it
to be a harbour of resort for a royal navy. I sincerely
trust that the new dock will not only prove itself of
great utility, but will give a healthy stimulus to the
intelligent enterprise which has characterised the mer-
chants of Cork in all matters that concern the shipping
interest. I feel sure that the works necessary for its com-
pletion will be carried out as expeditiously as is consistent
with the interests of the public service. In connection
with this matter, you refer to the general opinions of
her Majesty's Government wits rrg.ird to Ireland.
It needs no assurance to convince you that the Eng-
lish eople aro earnest in their desire that the same
justice which they exrect for themselves shall be
given in equal measure to the people of this country.
They especially made this clear at the last election, and the
Parliament of the Un:ted Kb gdom Las passed a measure
which is a pledge of its intention to carry out this
policy. The question which you introduce at the end
of your address is ono of the gravest character.
The first duty of a Government is to uphold
the Constitution of the country. It cannot overlook the
conduct of those who break the laws, and it is bound
to support loyal citizens in the proper performance of
their constitutional duties. The clemency of the Crown
has already been extended to many cf tho prisoners,
who from motives which I must decline to dis-
cuss, have incurred tho penalties cf the law. Further to ex-
tend this clemency would be an act requiring the most seri-
ous consideration. The answer to the petitions presented
to the Government on the subject is now receiving their
careful attention.

CHARGE OF PERSONATING A SOLDIER TO
OBTAIN HIS PRIZE MONEY

At Bow-street Police-court, on Wednesday morning,
William Bird and John Lake, the former unknown, the
latter late a soldier in the 3rd Madras Europeans, were
charged with falsely personating and causing to be per-
sonated a soldier, named John Campbell, also belonging to
the Indian Army. and endeavouring to obtain £75 prize
money duo to him. It appeared that the sum in ques-
tion was due to Campbell on account of his services in the
Banda and liirwee engagements, but the money had not
been claimed up to Tuesday last, nor was anything known
as to Campbell's whereabouts. On that day the prisoner
Bird came up the steps, and into the military department
of the India Office, and stating that he was John Camp-
bell, claimed to be paid the amount. Some suspicion had
been caused in the mind of John Disney, a messenger, who
had seen the prisoner Lake hanging about, and who came
into the office to make inquiries about the money, and both
prisoners were subsequently taken into custody on account
of the unsatisfactory answers they gave. Lake subse-
quently acknowledged that Bird was not Campbell, and
that he sent him in with the papers duly filled up, and
which he had previously obtained at the India Office, as he
(Lake) was starving. Mr. Vaughan remanded the prisoners
for further inquiries.

THE FERIVDALE COLLIERY EXPLOSION,

-0--

This inquiry, which has been extended over a period of
about three months, was brought to a close on Tuesday, at
the New Inn, Pontypridd. Important evidence was given
by Mr. Lionel Brough and Mr. T. Wales, her Majesty's
Inspectors of Mines, and the jury brought in the following
verdict :—" We find that the deceased came to their
death from an explosion of fire-damp in the Ferndale
colliery on the 10th of June last ; but we have not sufficient
evidence to satisfy us as to where it arose. We are of
opinion that the air was not properly distributed over the
whole of the pit, and that the windways were not of suf-
ficient size. We regret that we should have to investigate
another explosion in this colliery so soon after the terrible
catastrophe of 1867. We regret also that the suggestions of
the jury on that occasion have not all been fully carried out
by the manager and officials of the pit. The evidence shows
a lamentable want of care on the part of the officers of the
pit. We beg to offer the following suggestions :—First
that a Government inspector should visit every pit once in
three months, and that a sufficient number of sub-
inspectors should be appointed with proper authority;
second, we think that all officers having the charge of
collieries should undergo an examination, and obtain a
certificate of their qualifications before they aro allowed to
undertake their duties; third, we recommend that all old
workings be filled up immediately after they are aban-
doned ; fourth, we recommend that the resident manager
should have the sole control and management of the work-
ings of the mine."