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

It is stated that the French Envoy has delivered,
a copy of a dispatch to the Prussian Government,
in which the French Government makes the North
Schleswig question a subject of discussion in the.
interest of Denmark. This may certainly mean.
little or nothing, but it may, on the other hand.,
mean a good deal, and involve consequences that
are important to many. Who can tell what has
given rise to this " diplomatic Note," and much
may depend upon the way it is answered. It is
certain that no cause could be more popu-
lar in France than that of Denmark,
and the wrongs of the Danes have
long been a futile theme of discussion with French
writers, and a never-ending topic of conversation
in many quarters. The Berlin Government is so
entete, as the French themselves would say, that it
by no means follows that they will seek to make
the best of it, and allay the irritation of the French
by agreeing to their requests. This Schleswig
question is not one in which third parties can do
much. England has been put quite out of the field
through the mischievous meddling of Lord RUSSELL,
and hence France and Prussia must settle it some-
how or other. It seems a little strange, to say the
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.
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 bo 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 bo 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

ner.

the temporary character of recent arrangements
renders one still more uncertain.

The position and prospects of the Militia were
Last night the subjects of considerable discussion.

The policy of keeping an army in reserve has never
been questioned, its manifest advantages com-
mending themselves to every statesman. But it
has long been openly acknowledged that our Militia
is very far from being what it might be, and the
puzzle is how to get up to its full efficiency. Mili-
tary occupations have now serious rivals in the re-
gular branches of industry. Even the few days a
year necessary for service in the militia are be-
grudged ; and though, no doubt, under the pressure
of a sudden emergency, there would be no lack of
volunteers, every military man knows that it will
not do to rely on untrained and undisciplined
legions, however patriotic. Lord ELCHO, in
addressing himself to the consideration of
the case, could find no satisfactory remedy for
I the deficient numbers of our Militia but the ballot.

He held that the serving in the Militia should be
regarded as a public duty, to be performed as
punctually as the serving on juries or the paying of
taxes, only that the duty would fall more lightly,
owing to the chances of exemption. At present the
whole population between eighteen and forty-five
are liable to be called upon to bear arms in case of
need, but Lord EURO would reduce the term from
nineteen to twenty-three, which would be quite
sufficient to keep the force at its present standard.
He would allow no substitutes. The only ground
of excuse being efficiency as a volunteer serving in
the Militia, would, he observes, interfere much less
with trade if the period of drill as a regiment was
reduced by two-thirds, and the rest of the time
served by drilling in local companies as volunteers
are drilled: As for the hardship talked of Lord
ELcHo held that there was no hardship at all. The
to s f
ewe
le were,
the hheu sr adiedn,
majority of our 180,00hOoveoulugnhttee r
made up of artisans w
the most, and yet they willingly gave their service.
This view of the case, however, may fairly allow us
to ask why the Volunteer service shouwldhbehseor
somemuch
more popular than the Militia, and whether
means cannot be found to render the paid service
as attractive as the unpaid. Major WALKER pro-
bably spoke the truth when he blamed the apathy
not of one particular Government or party, but of
the House and the country generally. The Militia
ceased to be talked or "thought of when the Volun-
teer movement began, all interest was lost in it,
and it was not wonderful that it should have
vanquished. The gallant member touched upon
a few grievances of which the Militia men have
cause to complain, and he was followed by other
members who supported his views. The system of
billeting is open to grave objections, but it is not
easy to see how it is to be remedied. The pay is
wretchedly small, and only attracts the dregs of the
population. But Lord ELcao appeared to forget
when he so strongly advocated th 3 ballot that it is
at present actually the law of the land, and could
be enforced at any time. It is in suspension, it is
true, but if it were desirable to employ it again a
very few weeks would suffice to recruit our forces.
It would be better as things are to inquire more
closely into the whole subject, so as to ascer-
tain the real cause 3 of our deficiency in
members, and of the comparative unpopu-
larity of a service which need be by
no means burdensome or oppressive. It is
the more desirable to put this question on a satis-
factory basis, as experience chows us it is on our