The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-16 00:00:00

16, 1.85 T.

TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION WITH

INDIA.

(From the Times.)

A bargain—a most foolish and disadvantageous
bargain, as it seems to us—has just been concluded
by the British Government. It has been long evi-
dent that telegraphic communication with our
Eastern possessions is necessary to the well-being
of the empire, and many have been the criticisms
on what seems the inexplicable delay in carrying
out the great enterprise. At last, when the Indian
mutiny is nearly over, we learn that the telegraph
is to be constructed, but on such terms as must
cripple the development of the system not only for
a generation to come, but absolutely for ever—in
all perpetuity. The Treasury have come to an
agreement with the Austrian authorities that if the
latter will make a submarine line from Ragusa to
Alexandria the Er tish Government will use that
and no other, will send all its telegrams by Ragusa
to Alexandria, and will complete the telegraph from
Suez to Kurrachee or Bombay. The obligation is,
as we have said, in perpetuity, and therefore when
this Austrian line is completed the Government
will be unable to encourage, or even to sanction,
any other project which may be formed to facilitate
or extend communication. Now, we have nothing
at all to say against the Austrian line and the use
of it by our Government. On the contrary, we are
very glad o see that Austrian enterprise in the
Mediterranean is equal to such a plan as that of
joining Trieste with Egypt. Nor have we any
predilection for either of the two roads of teleera-
phic communication which have been advocated by
projectors. For the last three or four years a war
has been going on between the partisans of the Eu-
phrates Valley route and the Red Sea route. The
former party wish to carry the line from Constanti-
nople through Asia Minor, or from the coast of
Syria into the interior, and m both cases to follow
the course of the Euphrates to the Persian Gulf.
The schemo has this advantage, that it would give
the shortest line, and this drawback, that it would
carry the wire through countries where as yet the
authority of the Porte is limited, where the Kurds
and Arabs are nearly independent, and where the
line would consequently be unsafe unless a kind of
blackmail were paid to the heads of a great num-
ber of tribes. The Red Sea route involves a vast
quantity of submarine wire, the laying of which is
difficult, while great expense is incurred by any
breaking of the line. Still it has only nature and
accidents to contend-with. When once submerged
in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, or the Indian
Ocean it need fear nothing from the bigotry and
barbarism of neighbouring races. The stations
may be fixed at Perim, or Aden, or some point
near Muscat, and the line worked by our own
authorities. This seems to us a fair statement of
the respective me: its of the two plans, and, should
either or both be c Irried out, they might legiti-
mately receive support. But as yet neither party
has effected anything. The Government has, how-
ever, adopted the Red Sea system, and is prepared
to carry it out. If this were an isolated act we
should have nothing to say. Out of two plans the
Government would have selected one, and the other
must be given up or executed by other means. It
is when we find the Treasury declaring that this
line from Suez to India shall he only used as a
pendant to a certain line from Ragusa to Alexan-
dria, that we are obliged to step in and densunce
the bargain.

Lit Anstria make her telegraph, and let us use
it as long as we want it, but let not our freedom
of action be limited. Undoubtedly, the projected
Austrian line will be useful, and if it bo con-
structed it may for some time be the principal
means of communication between England and the
East. But why should our Government promise
to make it the only means ? Surely, the inter-
course between the United Kingdom and its
greatest dependency onght not to be at the
mercy of any foreign Power ? We presume
that by this line messages to and fro will pass
through Austria, Bavaria, Prussia, and Belgium,
before they reach their destination. Can we not
conceive circumstances arising which may break a
communication which thus depends on the goodwill
of each of a number of distinct sovereignties ?
Surely, it would be only right to have more than
one string to our bow. And not only from political
reasons, but for the sake of economy, for the des-
patch of business, and to guard against accidents,
it would be advisable to encourage the construction
of several lines. The French have a wire to Africa
which may be extended along the coast to Alexan-
dria; the Turks are contemplating a line to Bagdad,
and an English company has a concession for a sea
line from Constantinop'e to Egypt ; one or more of
these schemes may be carried out, and it is the
height of folly for the British Government before-
hand to debar itself by solemn treaty from th 9 use
of them. At the present crisis it is, no doubt, right
to use any means which is likely to facilitate com-
munication with India, but this great advantage is
indeed dearly bought when it limits the expansion
of intercourse for an ind,finite time to come.
It is to be hoped that our Government will find
some means of altering the terms of this most im-
provident agreement. It is due t.) the political in.
terests of the country, to the private interests of
individuals, to the great communities which will be
affec'el by any deficiency in the means of trans-
u:ibtiug intellfgr2nce. We have not only ourselves
to c 'wider, but the inhabitants of all Europe and
all Eastern and Southern Asia, not to mention the
great colonies of the Antipodes. The line from
Suez tolndia will connect the whole European and
American system with regions which are every day
entering more and more into close relations with ci-
vilised man. At what rate the progress for the future
will be made must dependon circumstances which we
cannot foresee ; but there is every reason to believe
that a period of rapid development has begun in
the Ea t, and that in a few years commerce and po-
litical interests will grow to a magnitude of which
there is now hardly a conception. This country is,
of course, the Power which is most deeply inte-
rested, and which must play the most important
part, and it is a most grievous mistake that our Go-
vernment should consent to weaken its authority
and fetter its freedom of action by binding itself for
ever to use but one line of communication, and
that line an Austrian line, which may be inter-
rupted by any change in the political telations of
Central Europe.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.

In consequence of the news just received from
India, the authorities at the Horse Guards have de-
cided thatth© whole of the officers belonging to re-
giments in that country who are now at home on
leave shall proceed forthwith to join the head-
quarters of their respective cords. All the officers
not required to embark in charge of detachments
will be permitted to proceed by the overland route.
The Brilliant, 20, Capt. J. A. Paynter, from the
West India station, has arrived at Chatham to be
dismantled.

The George Marshall is appointed to sail this
morning from Gravesend for Calcutta, with rein-
forcements to the number of about 600 men, in-
cluding both infantry and cavalry.
On the 27th of Oct. the screw steamer South-
ampton, which left Gravesend on the 16th, arrived
at St. Vincent's, with the 7th Dragoon Guards and
detachments of infantry on board en route to Kut-
rachee. The troops were in excellent health, and
the ship had made a most favourable passage.
In consequence of a number of irregularities
which have recently occurred among the non-com-
missioned officers of the Royal Artillery at Wool-
wich, the whole of the staff sergeants, sergeants,
and corporals off duty, as well astbe men acting as
officers' servants, -were last week paraded in pre-
sence of Major-General Sir W. F. Williams and the
garrison staff. They underwent a strict inspection
and were afterwaeds addressed by the Commandant.
A sergeant of the 7th battalion was then called for-
ward and severely teprimanded, and two corporals
were placed under arrest and ordered to be reduced.
A Malta correspondent, writing on the 10th in-
stant, says :

" I have to report the arrival on the 6th from
Candia, after a tedious pa,sage °fit days unddr can-
vass, of Admiral Lord Lyons, in the Royal Albert,
screw steam line-of-b tttle ship, with the Princess
Royal, "Conqueror, and Centurion, similar class ves-
sels. The Despera' e, steam corvette, was sent to
Cagliari on the 20th ult. to assist the Elbe in laying
the electric cable between that place and Malta,
where these vessels are hourly expected, the wea-
ther having been favourable for the operation.
"Her Majesty's screw storeship Supply arrived
here from Bondroum on the 23d ult., with a quan-
tity of ancient marbles, and is to return shortly for
another cargo, the collection of which will ocdupy
several months.

" The steam gunboats Wanderer, Vigilant, and
Coquette are employed between Malta and Cagliari
in the conveyance, for telegraphic communication
to London, of the Government and the Times' tele•
grams of the Indian intelligence. The Coquette
left Malta on this mission yestorday."
The Scourge, 6, steamsloo,), Commodore Adams,
arrived at Spithead on Saturday from the Cape and
West Coast of Africa stations. She left the Cape on
July 26, and the River Congo Sept. 25. She re-
ports the slave trade becoming quite brisk on the
coast of Africa. H.M. screw steamsloop Alecto has
captured four slavers lately's, one with a small quan-
tity of specie on board for the purchase of cargo:
H.M. sloop Sappho had driven one slaver on shore
and rescued 350 slaves ; about 155 more were re-
ported to be drowned and missing. The slaver was
afterwards burnt as she lay on the beach. On Oct.
22 the Great Britain, steam transport sailed from
St. Vincent's for India with troops, and two days
afterwards was followed by the screw transport
Calcutta. The Scourge left Spithead for Plymouth•
yesterday to be paid off.

Dr. A. Armstrong, who was surgeon in H.M.S.
Investigator at the discovery of the North-West
Passage, and Surgeon C. Steel, who has recently
been appointed staff-surgeon to the Portsmouth
division. of Royal Marine Light Infantry, have been
awarded Sir G. Blane's gold medal, conferred once
in three years on the surgeon in the Royal Navy
whose medical and scientific journal during a ship's
commission shall be adjudged of the highest merit.
The following appointments were made on Satur-
day at the Admiralty :
Lieut. C. T. Williamson, to the Vesuvius ;
Lieut. S. de Lacy, additional, to the Vesuvius, for
disposal ; B. A. Cape], midshipman, to the alo-
rous ; J. E. O'Malley, surgeon, to the Viper ; T.
Roche, surgeon, to the Sharpshooter ; T. Ayling,
surgeon, to the Alecto ; H. N. Spoor, surgeon, to
the Lyra ; T. B. Purchas, surgeon, to the Ardent;
J. M'Cormick, assistant-surgeon, to the Alecto ;
and J. Hunter, assistant-surgeon to the Lyra.

THE MILITIA.
On Thursday Lord Burleigh and the officers of
the Northampton Militia were presented by the
town and county of Northampton with a valuab
piece of plAte, as a testimonial of their services
during the late war with Russia.

The Worcestershire Militia assembled for per-
manent duty on Thursday, under the command of
Lieut.-Colonel Webb. Out of 1,080 registered on
the books between 800 and 900 answered muster,
acd the men are generally in good trim.
The Royal Elthorne Light Infantry, under the
command of Lieut.-Colonel M. Prior, leave Ux-
bridge to-day for Portsmouth, and embark on board
the Abioma steamer for Cork.

A DAY WITH ATAYA SAHIB.

(Front _Household Words. I

Hero sat the maharajah on a Turkey carpet, and
reclining slightly on a high bolster. In front of him
were his hookah, a sword,iand several nosegays.
His highness rose, cam 9 forward, took my hand,
led me to the carpet, and begged of me to be seated
on a cane-bottomed arm-chair, which had evidently
been placed ready fur my especial ease and occupa-
tion. A hookah is called for by the rajah ; and
then at least a dozen voices repeat the order :
"Hookah lao Sahib kewaste" (bring a hookah for
the Sahib). Presently the hookah is brought in. It
is rather a grand affair, but old, and-has evidently
belonge l to some European of extravagant habits.
While I am pulling away at the hookah, the
mustia be, or favourites of the rajah, flatter me in
very audible whispers. "How well he smokes !"
" What a fine forehead ho has !" " And his eyes
how they'sparkle !" " No wonder he is so clever !"
" He will be governor-general some day," " khuda-
kurin !" (God will have it so). Native Rajah (in
a loud voice), "Moonshee !" Moonshee (who is
close at band). " Meheraj, Protector of the
Poor." Native Rajah. " Bring the petition that
I have laid before the Governor-General." The
Moonshee produces the petition, and at the in-
stance of the Rajah, reads, or rather sings it aloud.
The Rajah listens with pleasure to its recital
of his own wrongs, and 1 affect to be astounded
that so much injustice can possibly exist. During
my rambles in India, I have Ewen the guest of 801110
scores of rajahs, great and small ; and I never
knew one who had not a grimace He had
either been wronged by the Government, or by
some judge whose decision had been against him.
In the matter of the Government it was a sheer
love of oppression that led to the evil of which he
complained ; in the matter of the judge, that fano •
tionary had been behead by the other party. It
was with great difficulty that I kept my eyes open
while the petition—a, very long one—was read
aloud. Shortly after it was finished, I craved per-
m scion to retire, and was conducted by a bearer to
the sleepingrroom. The Maharajah invited me to
accompany him to 'Cewnpore. I acquiesced, and
the carriage was ordered. The carriage was Eng-
lish built —a very handsome landau and horses—
but the harness It was country made, of the
very commonest kind, and worn out ; for one of
the traces was a piece of rope. The coachman was
filthy iu his dress' awl the whip that he carried in his
hand was au old broken buggy-whip, which some
European gentleman must have thrown away. On
'lie box, ou each side of the coachmen, sat a war-
like retamer, armed with a sword and a dagger.
In the rumble were two other retainers, armed in
the same manner. Besides the Rajah and myself
there were three others (natives and relatives
of the Rajah) in the vehicle. On the toad
the Rajah talked incessantly, and amongst other
things he told me was this—in reference
to the praises that I bestowed on his equipage :
" Not long ago I had a carriage and horses very
superior to these. They cost me twenty-five thou-
sand rupees; but I ha.i to burn the carriage and
kill the horses." " Why so ?" "The child of
a certain sahib in Cawupisru was very sick,. And
the sahib and the memsahib were bringing the child
to Bhitoor for a change of air. I sent my big car-
riage for them. On the mod the child died; and,
of course, as a dead body had been in the carriage,
and as the horses had drawn that dead body in that
carriage, I could never use them again." The
reader must uudervand that a native of any rank
considers it a disgrace to sell property. " But
could you not have given the horePs to SOlll6 ieud.
—a Christian or a Mussulman 7" "No ; had I
done so, it might have beau hurt at having occa-
sioned me such a logs." Such was the Maharajah
commonly known as Naua Sahli'. He appeared to
be not a man of ability, nor a tool. He was eelfish,
hut what native is not 7 He seems to be far from
a bigot in matters of religion ; and, although he was
compelled to be so very particular about the de-
struction of his carriage and horses, I am quite
gatisfled that ho drank brandy, and that he smoked
hemp in the chillum of his hookah.

TIIE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADR.—By the Teviot we
lean that her Maj,-sty's ship Se.,urge left Lisbon for
linglatid cnthl-9th. She cornea roil' the east of Africato
replrt to the Briticilig.vernincnt that Aeveral ves,elsare en
Vat coast, tit,. d out a' slavers, with SpAnish crews, who
sail under the United States flag. T:',e question flat
about to be rai,ed is whether under the present Ina!),
between Grunt Britain and the United States Eng lab
cruisers have a right to search an" seize euch vessels.