THE DRAIN OF WAR.

Colonist, Volume VII, Issue 664, 8 March 1864, Page 4

THE DRAIN OF WAR.

The Montreal Gazette publishes some trade returns showing how seriously the few steamers in the employ of the Confederate Government have damaged the foreign trade of the port of New York. In 1860 the second quarter's trade, imports and exports together, amounted to §62,000,000 under the American fla<*, and 330,000,000 under the flags of foreign nations, but in 1863 (so great has been the fear of capture) the second quarter's trade is §65,000,000 under foreign flags, and only $23,000,000 under the stars and stripes. The same paper also publishes an abstract of agricultural returns, showing how much the produce of the grain-growing "West has been diminished by the lack of hands to till the soil. More oats and wheat have been sown, less corn and potatoes planted. It was difficult to get labor for the two former crops, impossible for the two latter. The increase of the former was less 2,500,000 bushels, even if there has not been exaggeration ; the decrease of the latter over 152,000,000 bushels. Failing to procure tobacco from the South, the more Northern States have increased its growth by fifty million pounds. But the decrease in the great staple cereals is very marked, and the more distressing from the fact that if this bloody war is continued for another year the decrease must inevitably be much greater in 1864 than in 1863. According to a statement published by the New York World, 1,775,000 men have been called out to serve in the war. To this a Detroit paper adds 800,000 men, because it urges that for the conscription or two draughts (making 600,000 men together) the enrolling oflicers were ordered to add 50 per cent, for the disabled, &c. This raises the number called out or rejected and so disposed of to 2,075,000. In the Army and Navy Journal, however, it is alleged that only 1,276,246 men were actually brought out exclusive of the quotas of the Border States and California, from which no returns were procurable. That these States suffered to the extent of another 225,000 men is hardly questionable, and the drain of the war would be upon all, therefore, at least a million and a half—more than that if skedaddlers are counted. TheDroit paper adds:—" We have taken from productive industry this vast mass of able-bodied men, andmade them consumers as wett as destroyers, yet how little has the Administration accomplished! It holds some territory by military occupation, but it has almost wholly banished Union sentiments from the people whom it was its business to reclaim. It has managed its armies so that they have been wasted away without the accomplishment of what they were intended to do."

A Colonial Goyernob on his Tbatels. —A few evenings since, three men on foot, roughly clad, and carrying knapsacks on their backs, arrived at the door of a small country inn in King's County just as darkness was closing in. They requested that some food might be prepared for them, as they had travelled far and eaten nothing since starting, but were told by the mistress that she was not going to cook " for the likes of them " at that hour of the evening. The strangers offered to cook their own supper if admitted to the kitchen, but this

also was refused them. At length, however* perceiving the men to be sober and civil, the good lady-somewhat relented, allowed the wayfarers some tea and "fixings," and provided them with sleeping accommodation. The next morning an agricultural show was held in the vicinity. The three pedestrians attended the show, and it then transpired that one of them was the Lieutenant-Go-vernor^ a second the Adjutant-General, and the third a young gentleman from Fredericton—a son, we believe, of Chief-Justice Carter. The party were en route from Albert County to St. John on foot, his Excellency having taken this mode of coming into closer communication with the people of the districts through which he passed. His Excellency made a short speech to the assembled agriculturists, and then left them not quite certain whether they had received a visit from the Governor or were the victims of a hoax. The apologies of the innkeeper may be imagined. ¥c understand his Excellency was occupied ten days in this tour, and traversed a distance of about 150 miles, lodging at country inns and farm houses, and carrying a pack as did his companions.— New Brunswick Freeman.

Official Salaeies in Japan.—The Governor of Finance, or the Japanese Chancellor of Exchequer, receives only £960 a year; it may be presumed, therefore, that his duties are not of a very onerous description. The Governor of the city of Yedo, which contains a.population of more than 200,000, receives the moderate salary of £1920 ; the Governor, or, as we should call him in England, the Chief-Commissioner of Public "Works, is paid the moderate salary of £960; the Governors of the Navy, or the Lords of the Japanese Admiralty, are put off with the pitiful salary of £38 each, less than wages of a first-rate British seaman —conclusively showing the very low estimation in which the profession is held by the Japanese, notwithstanding the recent introduction of war steamers into the navy. The Registrar of the Daimios' Banners is paid in proportion to the estimation in which heraldry is held in Japan; he receives £2500 a-year. The Commander-in-chief of the Imperial Guard is paid £3200 a-year; Generals of troops armed with lances, £1152 a-year; Generals of troops armed with swords, only £320 a-year; but the importance which the Government attaches to the arm which is to place its troops on an equality with Europeans in the field is shown by the appointment of two Generals of Muskeeters, with salaries •of £5760 each. A school of musketry was established in 1860, and a.a Inspector-General appointed with a salary of £3200 a-year. Although the Japanese have been represented as a stationary people, it is evident that they are alive to the importance of placing themselves, at least in respect of improved fire-arms, on a level with the nations of Europe. The Fbench Ttjef.—The turf appears to be making progress in France every year. Thus, in the year 1862 there were in Prance 80 race-courses, receiving altogether the sum of £47,231. In 1863 the number of racecourses was 90, between which a sum of £63,700 was divided, " discomposed" as follows :—l. Eace plates, £41,500, of which £12,432 was given by the State, nn.'l .-C2OSO by the Emperor, the remaining £,io,4<lz being derived from the liberality of the Societe d'Eucouragement at Paris, various provincial societies, towns, and departments. In this last group must be included the great prize of £4000, run for the first time at Longchamps, and of which the funds were provided half by the city of Paris and half by the great railway companies. 2. Eaces with obstacles, £14,627, namely, £3868 from the Government, and £10,759 granted by societies, towns, &c. It is right here to mention the Societe Generale dcs Steeplechases de France, which, instituted in 1863, has made its debut in the most brilliant fashion by the creation of races at Vincennes. 3. Trotting matches, £7563, of which the Government furnished £4464. Military races, timidly attempted in 1862, have acquired this year a great extension, and have opened a vast field to bold and hardy equitation.—Sell's Life.