The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-19 00:00:00

vious courses from which extrication may be im-
possible. The impending difficulties do not
relate to " the Celestial Empire" only. There
are selious complications nearer home that call for
extraordinary courage and skill in order that
satisfactory results may be accomplished.

" The State of Italy" is perhaps of all others
that which requires the most careful consideration
—the most prompt and vigorous action. It was
brought prominently before the Conferences at
Paris, but the Austrian protests prevented the de-
cision which must have been arrived at had the
interesting question been discussed on its merits.
The " occupations," as they were euphoniously
termed, of different states, or, in other words, the
protection afforded by foreign bayonets to those
who did not think it worth their while to cultivate
the good-will of their subjects, who thought that
they should enforce submission rather than win
love, were the evils complained of—and the repre-
sentatives of France and England spoke fairly,
although in deference to Austria, nothing was
accomplished. The hopes of the oppressed and long
suffering peoples were encouraged, and there was
every reason to believe that France, at least, would
speedily remove the grievance. Nothing, literally
nothing, has however been done during the twelve
months that have since passed away. The Italian
soil is still polluted by the presence of alien troops,
and French and German are the languages spoken
in the barracks of Hesperia. There have been
no attempts at the abatement of the intolerable
nuisance—no symptoms of evacuation. Austria
has been striving to pick a quarrel, on the approved
" wolf-and-lamb" precedent, with the Government
of Piedmont, while France and England calmly
survey the ominous clouds gathering on the poli-
tical herizon, and which indicate an impending
hurricane, by which an European war, or series
of wars, may be rendered inevitable.
In another part of our impression will be found
a remarkable document, which we have extracted
from a morning contemporary, the Daily News,
together with an article showing clearly and
forcibly the magnitude of the emergency. It
purports to be a " Report on the condition and
prospects of the States of the Church, and of
Italy in general," addressed by the French Envoy
at Rome, to Count WALEWSII. We cannot, of
course, vouch for its authenticity, respecting
which our contemporary appears to be satisfied.
There is, however, a vraisemblanee that induces
us to lend it an easy credence. It
seems to have been " written to order"
—to have been prepared as an elaborate
excuse for inaction a studied condemna-
tion of Constitutional Government for which,
according to the writer, Italy is perfectly unquali-
fied. It is dated in May, just two months after
the unexpected ventilation of the inconvenient
topic by Count °AYOUB at the Parisian Congress.
It is an apology for the Papal, and a serious in-
dictment against the Sardinian Government, an
earnest vindication of the policy that produced
and has continued the occupations. Without
secret encouragement the subordinate official
would not have dared to oppose that which his
superior declared to be his own views. Under
such circumstances we cannot repose implicit con-
fidence on the good faith and integrity of the
French Government. Many matters flash on
our minds. The crushing of Italian freedom, the
lame and impotent conclusion of the Russian war,
the hints against the inconvenient freedom of
the Press, and now this extraordinary document
indicate the vast difference between the sayings
and doings of the French Government. The
danger is great ; and there is but one mode by
which it can be averted—the clear, distinct, and
unqualified expression of public feeling on the
several hustings throughout the length and breadth
of the land. Elsctors must not speak of China
only, but show what they think in relation to
foreign affairs generally, so that their temper may
be clearly understood, and that those who may
be inclined to tamper with such matters may be
made cognisant of the great danger of "playing
with edged-tools."

In our " Catechism for Candidates," to which
Lord DERBY so recently directed the attention of
his brother Peers, we gave a prominent place to
" The Abolition of Purchase in the Army, and
Promotion by Merit." The vast importance of
the question cannot be controverted. It may,
indeed, be regarded as a matter of urgent neces-
sity—as the only means by which we can mate-
rially reduce the expenses, without impairing the
efficiency, of our military establishments. It has
been authoritatively declared that the British
troops in the Crimea were "an army of
Lions, led on by Asses ; " and it is
essential that our dearly-bought experience
should not be wasted or misapplied. We should
profit to the utmost by the painful but salutary
lesson, and adopt every possible precaution against
the chance of the reproach being again applied to
our English army. We see that a system of pro-
motion prevails in this country unknown in other
nations, by which the security and honour of the
United Kingdom depend on a succession of lucky
accidents—on men who are possessed of ample
funds, or commanding interest, and who are too
frequently disposed to talk slightingly of the ser-
vice—to vote it " a bore," and declare their in-
tention of " selling out,"—being actuated by
military enthusiasm, and induced to study care-
fully and painfully that which by no means im-
proves their position ,Dither at the Horse Guards
or with their brother officers.

What can be expected or hoped for while money
and influence are almost the only qualifications
sought for, and attentive and diligent study is not
only not required, but virtually discouraged by
the authorities ? When staff appointments and
other advantages are distributed to the least de-
serving applicants. Surely such a system suffi-
ciently explains the untoward events that occurred
in the Crimea, and which occasioned the tardily re-
cognised Report of Sir JOHN WNEILL and Colonel
Turxoeu. We are told that the abolition of the
system would occasion a heavy expense to the
country . But the most unflinching economist
would scarcely hesitate at any cost which the
introduction of a more judicious and wise prac-
tice might require.

" They manage these things better in France."
The importance of Military Education is there
fully appreciated as well as in all other nations
aspiring to a military position. All through the
Continent, in France, Prussia, Austria, and
Sardinia there are schools at which officers
aspiring to Staff appointments must undergo
probationary exercises and examinations, and
prove themselves fully qualified for the efficient
discharge of the duties that may be confided
to their hands, while "out ofj 216 officers
who have received certificates at the senior depart-
ment of Sandhurst since 1836, only 15 were
employed on the staff in May, 1854." This
simple fact speaks trumpet-tongued as to the ne-
cessity for a total change in the administration of
military affairs by the authorities at the Horse
Guards.

A very important Report has just been pub-
lished by the Commissioners appointed to inquire
into the foreign systems of military education.