Evening star., 1867-02-18


Military AND NAVAL AFFAIRS Abroad
Itn reported that the new French Minister Of
Marine is dete rmined not to be outdone by the
British Admiralty. He has just red the
Five OF these VIII be ships Of the line on the
model Of the Tiger, vessel bHIlt with a dou
BILE spur or beak-one ut the bow and the other
at the stern-so as to be capable OF use for
ramming either way In action The others viii
be frigates, with dou BILE spur at the bo W only
With view to str ngthening the French army
general inquiry is now being made iate the
state OF the fortified places In France In
Prussia the gun manufacturers are SO active
that by the beginning Of May 1t is anticipated
the whole Of the North German troops win be
armed with needle guns. With uaI zeal
the new cast-steel four. FOUNDERS, which are
entirely to supersede the six.pounders, are
being man ufactured: At Krupp's, at Essen,
no less than 2,370 cast-st cannon have been
ordered BY the Prussian and other Govern.
ments. Russia is thoroughly reoreanizinr
her army and intends in future to use only
rined cannon, TO cast which in bronze, at the
rate Of 300 year. arrangements have already
been made. Russia has been examining into
the subject OF rifled guns for infantry. and
evidently prefers Americaa guns, for Of them
the government organ at St. Petersburg thus
speaks: -" From the multitude of samples
tasted, some American models were found 70 be
the best. To facilitate dsnniuve choice. two
to ascertain the results Of the extensive experi.
ments made there, and also to acq uaint them.
selves with the particulars Of the man fracture
great hurry, however, to await the result of
this examination. and Ii already engaged in
converting her old muskets into rifles. All the
nations ef Europe seem 70 be arming. and the
threatening nature Of the Eastern question
shows Why % much military work 10 going on.
DEroPULATIoN OF THK SoUTH.-Accordiue
to the Official census Of Alabama, taken last
year, the population OF that State about Is zoo
less than 1t was In 1850. From the time Ala.
bama was admitted into the Union, In 1919, up
To M mi Iaf ha L..
creasing, At the rate OF about per cent per
annum. at which rate there would have been
now 100000 Inhabitants, instead Of which the
census shows only 945,OO0. The total lose 10
Alabama, according TO the above dgures is
about q quarter Of nlllion-the present pop
ulation Being 50 much less than 1t would have
Supposing all the Southern States TO ha va
been subjected to the same depopulating in In
ences, the aggregate loss Of population would
amount to over Two millions; and this esti-
mate is probably rather under the mark
than over II. The causes Of thls falling of
are various. Many men were killed In hattie.
many emigrated to Canada and Europe and
not few who had gone South from the North
returned here on the approach OF war There.
toe, immigration has been almost suspended
for the past six years. and even now the un-
South prevents many emierants from choosinS
that country for their home This cause alone
must keep away from the South all no seek
IN America me & refuge from the political wrouxs
y -
democratic freedom, for which this nation was
dsunG uisned In times past certainly will not
attract settlers to the Southern. States, where
the present system OF gevernment 10 more des.
potic and oppressive than can be fonnd In the
countries from which many Of our Immigrants
eome.-N 7. Sva. 100, go. : =
TIE WfTHEss AGAINST SuRRArr.-Henry
81. marie, the witness By whose evidence the
ldentiay OF Surratt, the alleged accomplIc % of
Booth, Atzerott, and Paine were deterrnined
arrived at New York on Friday, on steamer
St. Laurette, and went direct 70 Washington
6y the evening train. st. Marie 10 q French
canadian or appearance, quick. keen black
eye, and general look Of intslligence. = When
irons he recognized Marie, who Was standing
among the spectaiors. He was taken 1t once
20 cabin prepared expressly for him, and
although guarded day and night 70 allowed
such fsod and personal necessities as he ede.
manoe, and may make him com mfortabie. The
Swa:ara win 90 direct 70 Washangton, and
again St Marie and Surratt will meet
!. THH MAINLAND LDeisLArusn.-In the
Senate, on saturday, the majority OF the com
mitsee on ju0tctal prOceedtngs repoftsd mn
favorabiy on the House bill TO pro vide for tax
ing the sense o. the people Of the Stale upon
the propfiefv Of calling con ventiou 10 form
new constitution. AAinorlty report In favor
OF the bill was also made. The reports wsrs
The House wAs not In session on Saturday
CANAL ToILA--Ths Cunbsslaud Union
mentions . report that TIE Ohesapeaks aAd
Ohio caual totls on coal have been oduced
from 81 10 % s2-10o cents per ton. and tnss the
board OF pnbhc works have confirmed the 90.
taeA Of ths canal board.