The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-03 00:00:00

and not in any way exelusivelyintrnsted With the

navigation
Under such circumstances there must also in
'social respects be a great difference between Eng-
lish and French officers in favour of the latter, just
as high education shows itself in the tone of the
corps, and gives to their subordinates in service an
altogether different position. The French naval
officer is treated by sailors even on shore with
respect, while the English. officer out of his ship
must lay aside his uniform in order that he may
not be insulted by his own people. A similar dif-
ference exists between the seamen and the petty
officers. Every military commander knows that
with practised men, who understand their busi-
ness he can attempt and perform more than
with unpractised. This is the case to a much
higher degree on board ship than on land, for
the sailor is much more accustomed to thick-and
to act on his own responsibility than is a soldier.
An expressive result of the above comparions is
further shown in the respective discipline of the
two navies. It requires no lengthy balancing. to
perceive that in a military body, which consists of
the children of the country liable to service, who
from their youth are aware that they must serve
their fatherland, and that they are honoured by
wearing its uniform, a totally different spirit and
better discipline prevails than in a troop of persons
assembled together who have bartered their posi-
tion and blood for a pittance of money, and the
prospect of possible prize money,—a state of things
which once existed in France, and now actually
exists in England.
The occurrences before Kertch and in the
Sea of Azoff during the Eastern war brought
to daylight in a sufficiently clear manner this
difference in discipline, and in each English
and French naval port any one can be
readily convinced by personal observation of
the truth of this statement. Excesses such
as daily occur among English sailors, such, for
example, when a ship is ordered to sea, as that
seamen, petty officers—yea, even officers—are
brought on board drunk by the police, are not
possible in France. The difference in this respect
between the two countries is so well known that
no further exposition is here required. Discipline
is, however, a momentous point in battle, and the
French have a great advantage in this, that they
in this are superior to their neighbours.
So far as relates to seamanlike and military
courage in both nations, we must allow that each
posses heroic bravery, although it shows itself in a
different manner. While the fire of the French
thirsting after deeds of glory and prowess consumes
itself, and the vehemence of their first attack soon
slackens if it is not crowned with success, the Eng-
lish display a perseverance which borders on the
incredible, and an endurance in danger which has
often achieved victory and glory. These peculiari-
ties, which are mostly valuable in close actions and
in hand-to-hand conflicts, are less often brought
into play in naval engagements, which are gene-
rally decided by gunnery.
As regards the naval war ports on each side,
which also indirectly show the strength of a navy,
we will only quote the remarks of an English autho-
rity, and we think we shall thereupon have then
said enough. "What we find in the port and
arsenal of Cherbourg," says this authority, the
United Service Gazette," on which all opinionslare
unanimous, is that every ship entering the port is
exposed to the fire of 100 of the heaviest ordnance,
and that no enemy is in a position to do damage
either to the arsenal or to the fort. The same can-
not be maintained of either Portsmouth, Plymouth,
or Sheerness. The completeness with which the
works planned for the arsensal have been carried
out is in every respect perfect, and a comparison
with the arsenals of Devonport and Portsmouth
shows so bright a contrast that it must make every
right-minded Englishman blush."
If we recapitulate our comparisons into one
general result, we must declare that at present,
with about equal materiel,the French navy exceeds
that of the English as regards the availability
and efficiency of the personnel. France can, at
least, as affairs at the present moment exist, place
herself as a rival at the side of the British naval
power. This novel condition of power takes place
moreover at a time when the affairs of the world are
about to be brought to an issue; the policy of Great
Britain shows itself yielding and respectful to
France, such as has never been the case before.
Whatever may be the case as regards the so often
foretold invasion of England, Napoleon 111. could
beyond doubt attempt a landing on the British
islands with far more prospect of result than could
his great predecessor. While the ships of England
are scattered on all points of the world on account
of her trade and extensive colonies, France can con-
centrate her naval forces, and possesses, moreover,
thoroughly organised means of transport wherewith
to throw in a few hours on the ill-guarded coasts of
her adversary, at any concerted: moment, a portion
of her large land force from Brest, Dunkirk, or
Cherbourg. What might be the final result of such
an undertaking is not within our province. Not-
withstanding the elevation which the French navy
has taken in present circumstances over the English
power, we must not conceal that which we have
already shown in the course of our discussion, that the
two powers have, in the nature of things, a dif-
ferent naval calling—France one conditional,
limited ; England one absolute. France is essen-
tially a high continental Power, which must have
a corresponding naval force. To let all her
strength take a naval turn would be against nature
and against the character of the land and nation.
France possesses neither the inexhaustible naval
population nor the personal reasons and re-
quirements, nor the funds, to play the first
part on the seas of this globe. On the
contrary, England has an, exclusive call to
the sea, and all the conditions necessary for re-
maining the first naval power of the world. Her
geographical position, her maritime population, the
extent and peculiarities of her manufactures and of
her trade, her incalculable amount of capital, the
wide-spreading of her nationality through gigantic
colonies, enables, entitles England to the first
naval position, which she has hitherto maintained
with unprecedented result. If, however, the British
nation desires to see this her position in the world
undisturbed and unshaken, she must not turn away
her attention from the further development and
disciplining of her naval power, nor venture to shut
her eyes to the progress which the other large
Powers of our times have made in military matters.
Industrious States which do not properly support
their policy by corresponding military power lead,
as history has often taught us, an impeded and
always threatened existence.