2 AUGUST 1856, Page 1

The report of the Select Committee of the Commons on

the Sound Dues is discussed by the journals in a manner which im- plies that the Government is ready to recognize the claims of Denmark, and to pay the quota of this country towards redeem- ing the impost. The amount actually levied from British com- merce is estimated at 70,000/. a year ; the amount of loss in- curred by demurrage, &c., is said to amount to 300,0001.; and the Committee holds that the country would profit by purchasing exemption, with funds levied from the general resources of the country. According to the Times, however, Government does not exactly take this view, but is rather prepared to commute the amount levied on vessels in passing the Sound for an amount to be levied it the ports of arrival and departure. It has been 'as- serted that the United States are prepared to join in the redemp- tion; the Baltic States are understood to have long been willing ; but all these statements appear to be involved in consider- able doubt. The difficulty is, to show that there is any such validity in the demand, with any such real service in lighting and buoying, &o., as would justify this country in interfering to prevent the United States from breaking through the mem.