The Sun.
London, England, 1869-01-18 00:00:00

GIBRALTAR on CEUTA.

Those who advocate the exchange of Gibraltar for
Ceuta have some serious questions put to them by
Rear-Admiral Ommaney, in a letter to the Times.
Starting with the premise that it would be impolitic to
give up Gibraltar without some equivalent, he points
out that at great expense we raised Gibraltar from a
mere rock to a fortress ; and he asks shall we give it up
for a fort whose fortifications are behind the age ?
Or should we give up at all such a strong fortress as
Gibraltar, which might be used against us in
case of war ? As to Spain fortifying Ceuta, the
whole revenue of a year would bo required to do it.
Is it likely that they would expend it ? " Moreover,"
exclaims the Admiral, " what a base of operations
would Gibraltar be for civil war in the hands of the
factious Spaniard." The Admiral puts down the argu-
ment as to justice as " weak " and " sentimental,"
and concludes by asking whether France will let us
take Ceuta. The objection to giving up Gibraltar
on the ground that the "factious Spaniard" might
use it in case of civil war implies that this strong-
hold is like a knife to a young child.

WOMEN'S CLUBS.

Lady Portsmouth has withdrawn from all active
support of the proposed women's club in London,
owing to a difference of opinion between herself and
the members of the committee. Lady Portsmouth
is opposed to the admission of gentlemen to the
visitors' room, which the committee propose to

ELECVON PETITIONS.

The Liberals have not only drawn first blood in the
!sguries now being held into our election purity,
but have followed up their victory by another in
Scotland. The petition presented against Sir
Sydney Waterlow, who won Dumfriesshire from
Major Walker, the old Conservative member, has
fallen through. Sir Sydney was first charged
with bribery and intimidation, and the seat was
claimed by his opponent. About a fortnight ago,
however, the petitioner applied to the Clerk of Court
in Scotland, to withdraw the pleas of bribery and
intimidation, but persisted in claiming the seat,
on the ground that the London alderman was a
partner in a firm which held a Government contract
at the time of his election. It appears that the
gallant major has made a terrible blunder some-
where, for it is now announced that notice has been
lodged of an application for leave to withdraw the.
whole of the petition. The ground alleged for the
withdrawal is that the petitioner is now satisfied that
it would serve no public purpose to go on further
with the inquiry. It is not yet known whether
Sir Sydney was eligible for election, but in
the event of his resigning he would probably be
elected again by a larger majority.
The Western Morning .2.Veivs states that it should not
be surprised if one or both of the Cornish petitions fell
through, "as the result of second thoughts as to the
question of expense." The two petitions presented
from Cornwall are—Bodmin,where Mr.Wyld is endea-
vouring to get the seat now occupied by Mr. L. Gower;
and Falmouth, where, in consequence of the Liberals
being too sanguine of the result of the elections, the
Conservatives (Messrs. Fowler and Eastwick) won an
unexpected victory. From Falmouth the security of
21,000 has been deposited ; but from l3odmin the
defeated candidate himself has been obliged to become
surety for £250 in order to make up the amount.