The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-07 00:00:00

The Invalide Russe, in remarking upon the effect
of these ukases that have been issued, declares that
their object is "the practical union and generalisa-
tion of all the regulations existing in Poland with
those of Russia." From this " administrative assi-
milation" great things are apparently expected, if
we are to accept the views of the Russian journal ;
but we should think it much more likely that
the effect of these alterations will not be
quite so beneficial as it expects, or pretends to
expect. 'We think that the real meaning of these
decrees is that there should be a complete
extinguisher put upon all national feeling in
Poland. We hear that this has been their object
for some time past, only circumstances have been '
against the accomplishment of their designs. The
great security which has always distinguished the
policy of Prussia towards the unfortunate Poles has
not been diminished of late, to judge from recent
accounts. The sentences which were passed upon
the exiles who took part in the revolt in Siberia
have been carried into execution, and some have
been shot and others sent to hard labour. Surely
it is time, and more than time, that this system

of oppression and cruelty should cease, or at least
be greatly mitigated. The whole course of Russia
towards the wretched country and inhabitants of
Poland has been marked out by crime and treachery.
We cannot say that is the blot upon European
civilisation, because, unfortunately, many draw-
backs exist to a State approaching perfection ; but
at any rate it is a most disgraceful thing that at an
era of the world's history like that we are now in,
so consistent and unrelenting a policy of oppression
should be carried out with a zeal worthy of a better

cause.

As for Prussia, all seems prospering with that
Power for the present, at any rate, and here again
we have a notable instance of might triumphing
over right to an inordinate extent. Just now, how-
ever, we do not expect to hear of any hostility made
to the powers that be at Berlin. The additions
made to the list of those who have struck their
colours deserve not the importance given to them
by the Prussian journals who comment on the
matter. It is simply the sequence of previous
events of magnitude, the full issue of which is not
yet before us. The Hereditary Prince of ACCIUS-
TENBURG has issued an address to the inhabitants of
Schleswig Holstein, in which he releases them from
all obligations undertaken towards him by oaths
or promises of allegiance, reserving meanwhile the
Augustenburg claims. We learn likewise that yes-
terday, at Frankfort, the Assembly of Burghers
unanimously resolved to accept the functions of
municipal councillors which were offered to them
by the Prussian Government. Those changes
have, however, been set aside as speedily as they
were introduced, and when the day arrives which
calls France to regulate the inordinate limits of
Prussian supremacy a change will come over the
dream of Count BISMARCK.

As for Paris some excitement has after all been
occasioned by the EMPEROR'S Speech, part of which
appears, like the part of Hamlet, to have been
omitted in the report of the Moniteur. It is said
that the EmrEiton, turning to the President of the
Corps Legislatif, addressed some remarkable words,
concluding with some remarks on the opening ses-
sion. " I rely upon your absolute and sincere
devotedness in all the great questions of the
country without reserve." Whether this im-
pressive declaration bore reference to the forth-
coming plans for the reorganisation of the
army or not, it is impoesible to say ; but they are
not the less important from having been left out in
the official account of the proceedings. The Em-
peror Louis NAPOLEON understands the art of
appearing to do nothing ; but those who think he
is to take no part in the future of Germany make
him out a nonentity, which he never has appeared
to be as yet in his political career, and which we
have no reason for supposing that he will be.
It has been the fashion of many who have chronicled
the recent events in Germany of the past year to
talk as iffsomething like miracles had been performed
by Prussia, but they may have cause to
,be more
astounded at what they will see than at what they
have witnessed.

The mail steamer Cuba .has arrived with intelli-
gence from New York to the 26th of December.
On Christmas Day the new French Minister, M.
BERTIIEMY, was presented to the PRESIDENT, and
hopes were expressed for the continuance of friendly
relations between the two countries. A quarrel
between France and America would probably be
very unwelcome to both Governments just now.
The United States have quite enough to do in the
settlement of their own internal affairs, while the
national finances are certainly not in a condition to
stand the enormous outlay entailed by such a
contest. France also has reasons for con,'
centrating her forces, and the E3IPEROR might
naturally shrink fro►n embarking in a war at such
a distance in pre,ence of the existing complications
of European politics. His political influence on the
Continent is greatly enhanced by the knowledge of
rival Courts and diplomatists that he has a large
and powerful army free to employ anywhere he
likes at any moment. If it was known that he was
entangled in a conflict with the United States, who,
as we have seen, carry on war on a gigantic scale,
the weight of his words and the influence of his
actions would be seriously diminished. No check
would remain on Prussian arrogance, since
English counsels are evilently powerless in
that quarter, and the French pe)w le themselves