The Sun.
London, England, 1868-11-12 00:00:00

REMARKS.

Pressure has Increased considerably, and nearly uniformly at all
stations : the change is greatest in the west. Readings are very
high, especially in Scotland, the maximum pressure being 30'54in. at
Aberdeen, while the least, that at Rochefort, is only o'2in. less than
this. Temperature has risen in the S. of England ; in Sootland it is
also higher. A strong southerly wind is reported to have been felt at
Roche's Point yesterday, and winds were generally south-easterly
in these islands. This morning a light southerly wind is reported
from the S. of Ireland, last on the Channel coast the wind continues
easterly. On the N.E coast there has been muds fog. The weather
is now cloudy or overcast, with fog and mist at places in the south
of England and on the Scotch coasts.

The report of the committee on the Austrian Army Bill
is in favour of the great increase of the Austrian forces
which is proposed by that measure. The committee regrets
the necessity for these overgrown armaments, but at the
same time it is of opinion that the necessity is real. The
disturbance of the equilibrium of Europe in 1866, and the
introduction of the Prussian military system in the South
German States have compelled Austria likewise to
strengthen her army and alter her system. The reorgani-
sation adopted by this bill is a combination of the French
and the Prussian systems. A purely militia force, more on
the principle of the citizen soldiers of Prussia than on that of
the enormous standing army of France,wouldhave been pre-
ferred,but it was not found practicable. In face of thepolitical
condition of Europe, says the report, such a change might
have compromised the very existence of the empire. The
war force has therefore been fixed at 800,000, to be sup-
ported by a second line of 200,000 highly-trained militia,
besides other forces. The annual cost will be about eight
millions sterling—a sum which prompts the wish that
our authorities could manage to do business in this fashion.
The number of men under arms in time of peace is to
be 255,000. Of the 800,000 regulars, 590,000 will be at
home during peace, living as citizens and following their
avocations. The Government hopes, by the citizen-soldier
system, to support this enormous force at even a smaller
cost than was required up to 1861. The militia is to be
formed of a mixture of young men and trained soldiers—
an improvement, it is thought, on the Prussian and French
systems.

Various amendments to this measure have been notified,
but it is not likely that the substantial part of it will be
interfered with. A row in the Reichsrath is expected,
and one clause, which provides that the measure shall be a
law of the Medes and Persians for ten years, may not get
through. It would appear that there can be but one
result of these ever-increasing armaments. The army as a
separate force will as nearly as possible vanish from Europe,
and every ablebodied man will be required to take arms
when needful. Like the Jews rebuilding the wall of Jeru-
salem, they will work with the one hand and hold their
weapons iu the other.

The correspondent of the Times draws attention to our
position in Central Asia, immediately to the north of the
Punjab. Whilst we are endeavouring to protect our
possessions from Russia by securing the neutrality of
Affghanistan, we are neglecting Thibet, which is not less
important. An easy road runs through Cashmere to the
Indian frontier. Yakoob Beg, the lord of Little Thibet,
is anxious to trade with the English and make friends
with them, because he is afraid of the Russians. He wants
us to guarantee his territory, just as we desire to guarantee
Affghanistan. The Russians have already made
" advances" to him, and have put him in mortal fear
by calling for a road through his domains for the
purpose of trade. He is aware of the result of these
diplomatic measures in Bokhara, and has refused th(
road. We may just as well look after these native princes
as leave it to Russia to do it. Moreover, there is a fine
opening for commerce withYs.loo Deg and his jeopardised
district.