The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-26 00:00:00

not admit of so prompt an explanation as those M .ilitia that we must rely mainly for our army of
which occurred before. re serve. Sir J. PAKINGTON confessed that the Act
It is stated that the French Envoy has delivered of 1859 had been very unproductive of results,
a copy of a dispatch to the Prussian Government, on ly about 4,000 men having been enrolled under
in which the French Government makes the North it. The whole reserve force which was created by
' Schleswig question a subject of discussion in the that act and the others which preceded it was, on
interest of Denmark. This may certainly mean paper, 50,000 men, but the actual result has not
little or nothing, but it may, on the other hand, Teen one-half that number. The Recruiting Com-
mean a good deal, and involve consequences that mis sion in their report suggest various means for
are important to many. Who can tell what has enlarging the reserve force, such as increasing the
given rise to this " diplomatic Note," and much ervolled pensioner force, and compelling all men who
may depend upon the way it is answered. It is purchase their discharge to serve for five years with the
certain that no cause could be more popu- re:'-erne. " All these sources of supply combined,"
lar in France than that of Denmark, adds the report, " would, however, form but a small
and the wrongs of the Danes have reserve force, and we are of opinion that it is to our
long been a futile theme of discussion with French Militia we must look for the solid and constitutional
writers, and a never-ending topic of conversation reserve of the country, and we•would earnestly re-
in many quarters. The Berlin Government is so commend that more attention should be given to its
entete, as the French themselves would say, that it organisation." Without accepting Mr. WHALLEY'S
by no means follows that they will seek to make conclusion, that it is clear nature could not have
the best of it, and allay the irritation of the French meant us to have a standing army, or we should
by agreeing to their requests. This Schleswig have had a better capacity for organisation, we
question is not one in which third parties can do may safely admit that great improvement is pos-
much- England has been put quite out of the field Bible, and though there is seldom any real difficulty
through the mischievous meddling of Lord RUSSELL, in obtaining the necessary votes, there is a very
and hence France and Prussia must settle it some- great difficulty in remodelling the system and get-
how or other. It seems a little strange, to say the ting our Militia, into really good working order.
least of it, that just at this time the French should
begin again the old story, for there was no fear of
collision betweenDenmarkandher former oppressor.
At any period since the Dano-German War some
cause or other might have been found for making
protests or declarations on behalf of Denmark ; but
it certainly seems rather ominous that it should be
done just now, when the relations between the two
countries are, to say the least of it, peculiar.

Viscount HALIFAX likes to be mysterious. He
tells us that he means mischief to the Reform Bill—
a statement we do not find it difficult to believe,
but from what quarter his attack is to come he will
not let us know. He prefers to pique our curiosity.
We must wait in patience until Monday next before
we learn the new aspect under which the wisdom
of the noble lord is to be exhibited. We only know
that it concerns the weak point of every Reform
Bill—the redistribution scheme. Lord HALIFAX is
to set wrong right, to remedy evils and
supply deficiencies, no doubt. He has never
lacked a judicious confidence in his own powers,
whether as Chancellor of the Exchequer when he
bewildered our taxpayers, or, as First Lord of the
Admirality, he astonished our sailors. He is now
going to give Reformers a lesson, and to show the
country how much it lost when it suffered a great
public question to be settled without the aid of a
GREY, a RUSSELL, Or an ELLIOTT. Lord MALIIES-
BURY, in the unfortunate absence :of his chief,
appealed in vain for information. Lord HALIFAX
will let him know at the proper time. Meanwhile
he has no intention that his foes should be either
forewarned or forearmed. His general proposition
is to the effect that the scheme is inadequate, and
he is going, therefore, kindly to give it a few finish-
ing touches. Such a masterhand at political patch-
work may be relied upon to execute the task with
dexterity and goodwill. We only doubb whether the
House will appreciate his labours.

In many respects it would be an event to deplore
if war actually broke out between these two great
countries, and there would be no likelihood of its
leaving off so speedily as the hostilities of last year,
because then the Germans in many instances did
not act heartily or with spirit. Besides this, great
mismanagement pervaded the Austrian army, and
neither on the French nor the Prussian side is that
fault likely to be found. While the present advi-
•sers of her MAJESTY remain in office it is not likely
that this country will be drawn into the vortex, but
we shall suffer some of the indirect consequences of
war, and that war most probably the most bitter in
character and disturbing in its effects that this
generation has seen in Europe. There has been so
much stir of late, in the way of festivities and ex-
citement, that persons have been apt to overlook
the danger and glitter. Now it seems as if the cur-
tain was withdrawn that hid the less genial view,
and we are able to see the dark side of things. In
the awkward state of affairs which exists at
present everything is looked upon with
jealous scrutiny, but we should apprehend that
no exception could be taken to the reply of
Denmark to the last Prussian Note. It seems all
that can be desired in the way of caution, while
it also expresses the truth in an impressive man-
" Special guarantees," it is said, are not re-
quired, for the Danish laws are well known to be
liberal, and to afford ample protection to German
residents. With respect to Denmark's co-opera-
tion in settling the frontiers of the restored dis-
trict, the Danish Cabinet asserts that Denmark
is excluded from taking the initiative in the mat-
ter by the clause in the Treaty of Prague, which
bears reference to the subject. " Denmark must,
therefore, await the proposals of Prussia."
This is a very right reply, and one well
calculated to settle the vexed question on
the part of Denmark, provided only Prussia
wishes it to be disposed of easily. There
remains, however, to be seen what France will do
in the affair, and that is the most important and
significant. Doubts must suggest themselves to the
mind when affairs are in so unsettled a state, and
the temporary character of recent arrangements
renders one still more uncertain.