The Press. — London, England, 1854-04-01 00:00:00

302 narrow spirit, and regarded the question from a Ger manic instead of a European point of view. Never theless he hoped fbr the best, knowing that the inter ests of Germany were identical with those of England and France, and trusting that the Sove reigns of Germany would soon become awake to that truth. As to the prospects or the terms of peace he ventured only to say that the indispensable condi tion would be the full security of the Turkish em pire, though of the exact manner in which that con dition should be accomplished it was premature to attempt a prognostic. Meanwhile a convention had been agreed to between England, France, and Turkey, wanting only a formal ratification, which specified the character and principles of the assistance to be g i v en to the Sultan, who in turn bound himself not to conclude peace without the assent of his allies. Mr. LAYARD, without intending to oppose the ad dress, announced his purpose of opening a charge against the Government, which if the house thought fit he should hereafter frame into a formal discus sion and carry to a solemn vote upon their conduct. For this purpose he referred at much detail to the last series of blue books on the Turkish question, urging, first, that Lord John Russell had not replied to the first proposals for the partition of Turkey with sufficient indignation ; secondly, that Lord Claren don, when he became Foreign Secretary, had treated that idea still more gently, expressing a readiness to discuss it further ; thirdly, that secret and confiden tial despatches were communicated to the Times even before they were known to the whole Cabinet a charge which be sustained by a variety of internal evidence, and comparisons of dates and phrases in the diplomatic correspondence and leading articles of the journal in question ; and, fourthly, that the members of the Government were divided in their opinions and discordant in their speeches. He then criticised the course pursued by ministers towards Prussia and Austria, and towards Turkey itself, where their assumed friendship bad taken very disagreeable shapes. Declaring his belief that their preparations for war had been late, and were still very deficient, and that their whole policy was vague, indefinite, and planless, he drew the inference th at some perverse spirit thwarted their councils and frustrated their efforts, recommending them, as the only chance of averting ultimate dis grace, to " throw the Jonah overboard." Mr. BRIGHT wished to exonerate himself from any responsibility arising out of a war in which be did not concur. He continued to argue at great length, and with a copious use of the published despatches, that the war was neither just, wise, nor necessary. Turkey, he argued, was the centre of intrigues and a scene of corruption. There was nothing in the demands of Russia which the Sultan ought to have refused, and would not have conceded, if he had not thought war, with England and France for supporters, more advantageous to his interests. The British Government and Ambassador should have insisted upon the acceptance of the Menschikoff ultimatum or the Vienna note. War would then have been averted, England saved from a terrible and expensive conflict, and Turkey more benefited, in the end, than by any battles we could fight for her integrity. On behalf of the special interests of this country he upheld the strictest policy of noni-ntervention. Mr. J. BALL approved of the war, not for the sake of the integrity of Turkey or the equilibrium of Europe, but in vindication of public justice. Fought for this object, the present contest would, he thought, furnish a lesson to the world from which future sovereigns might learn that, even among nations, honesty was the best policy. The Marquis of GRANBY thought that the Emperor of Russia had been hardly treated, and did not de serve to be called the disturber of the peace of Europe. France had set him the example of inter fering with the internal administration of Turkey ; and another cause of disturbance arose from the civil war carried on between the members of the Cabinet. Lord DUDLEY STUART wished the Government to declare more explicitly their general objects in be ginning the war, and trusted they would show more vigour in their acts now it was proclaimed than in their councils heretofore. Lord PALMERSTON submitted that a more appro priate occasion might have been found or made for criticising the details of past diplomacy, as some preceding speakers had done. He only followed their lead so far as to remark upon and rebuke the charge that Cabinet secrets had been revealed to the newspapers. Looking at the question with a wider view, he observed that the aggressive policy of Russia towards Turkey had long been steadily pursued, and could not be blamed if prosecuted without conceal ment, subterfuge, or fraud. But this, he contended, had not been the case in the recent transactions. The reason why the particular moment was chosen by the Czar for his last aggression lay in the dis cordances then existing, or believed to exist, among the Western powers. He speculated upon the presumed impossibility of cordial union between England, France, and Austria. European diffi- THE PRESS. culties were considered Russia's opportunity, and the occasion was seized for another attempt at aggrandiserumt at the cost of Turkey. Arguing in reply to Mr. Bright, that the demands of Russia struck at the roots of Turkish independence, the noble lord remarked that we were not fighting upon the question who was to rule in Constanti nople, but who was not to rule, and to prevent Russia from becoming master of that important post. Declining to attempt a detailed definition of the " balance of power," he characterised it as cora • anon sense sagaciously exercised in self-defence, to avert hostility before it reached our own door. He could not concur in treating the question as one of mere profit and loss. Higher aims were before us, and the country was arming to prevent the civilised world from falling prostrate at the feet of a single power, to defend the liberties of Europe and the independence of the world. Mr. DISR/ELI supported the address, citing from a speech of Mr. Canning the opinion that no dissent from the policy of a Ministry, and no censure upon their conduct, should warrant the Opposition in ob structing measures taken for the defence of the country. Declining his intention to follow that in junction at present, the right honourable gentleman proceeded to remark upon the dissonances which existed in the views of different Ministers. There were evidently two opinions in the Cabinet upon every branch of the subject. The epithets they ap plied to the war, the objects they indicated for it, the prospects they drew of its course and results—above all, their appreciation of Turkey and her possi bilities of future prosperity—were hopelessly irre concilable with one another. Glancing at the Nesselrode " memorandum " drawn up• in 1844, be contended that it showed the existence even at that early date of an agreement between the Czar and the British Ministry involving nothing less than an absolute partition of Turkey, in which France was admitted to no share. If not an agree ment actually, this memorandum amounted to one of those "gentlemanly understandings" which the Emperor Nicholas professed so much, especially when dealing with so old a friend. Was that memo randum ever answered, or its obvious inferences disclaimed? Adverting to the more recent corre spondence, Mr .Disraeli denied that the Russian Em peror could be charged with duplicity. His objects were avowed and his language frank. If ambition and aggression were ranked as offences, neither England nor France could come into court with clean hands. To prevent Russia from possess ing Constantinople was a just reason for war ; but that section of the divided Minis try who concurred with Lord Aberdeen in be lieving that Turkey was defunct could not rea sonably call on the country to support them in conducting it. It was remarkable that the partition project, which slept through various Administrations, evived in the mind of the Czar a few hours after Lord Aberdeen had succeeded Lord Derby as Prime Minister. Mr. Disraeli then reverted to the des patches, founding upon their contents a variety of criticisms on the language and conduct of the Cabinet. Lord J. RUSSELL briefly replied to the various censures which had been passed upon the Govern ment in the course of the debate. Alluding espe cially to the speech of Mr. Disraeli, the noble lord combatted with much energy the charge that the m emorandum of 1844 contained any agreement for dividing Turkey, or that the British Ministry bad at any time countenanced the proposal. He concluded by offering some remarks upon other points pre sented in the address of that right hon. gentleman. After a few words from Col. SIBTHORP, The address was unanimously adopted ; and, on the motion of Lord Jour; RUSSELL, it was agreed to present it to her Majesty on Monday by a deputa tion of the whole house. Adjourned at ten minutes to one o'clock. 16,, PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. Orders have been issued to the different depart ments of the staff attached to the expeditionary force to proceed overland to Constantinople on the 4th proximo. Lord Raglan will remain in London till the return of Sir John Burgoyne from the East, who was sent to inspect the different localities in Turkey where troops could be posted with the greatest advantage. Sir John's return is daily ex pected, and it is reckoned that Lord Raglan will be enabled to start off to take command by the 7th of April. Major. General Sir De Lacy Evans is to command the division under orders for special service. It is decided that both brigades of cavalry destined for service in Turkey will proceed to the East vik France. They will be conveyed by steam-boat and railway to Paris, and thence by railway so far as Chalons, then down the Rhone by steam-boat to Lyons and Avignon, from Avignon to Marseilles by railway. The transit through France is expected to occupy nine days. SATURDAY, The British troops will have a grand reception at Paris, en route. The old quarters of the Imperial Guard, on the Quaff d'Orsay, the finest in Paris, are to be placed at the disposal of the English cavalry on its passage through Paris. Gallipoli appears to be the point on the Turkish coast which has been selected for the landing both of the French and British contingents. It is very conveniently situated for that purpose. It can be easily defended against any land attack, and troops stationed there could with great facility be marched to Adrianople, or embarked on the Sea of Marmora and landed at any part of the Black Sea coast where their presence might be required. The regiments belonging to the expeditionary army still in England will now, of course, proceed direct to Gallipoli with out stopping at Malta. The troops in that island are reported to be in excellent health and spirits, and the conduct of every corps, and especially that of the Guards, is most exemplary. It is rumoured that, in addition to the late aug- mentation of the army, there is to be a further increase of 30,000 men. Accounts have reached the military authorities in Dublin that twenty-two regiments are to be increased 800 men each, and six regiments 200 each ; the total further augmentation for the army will be 7,800. An Admiralty notice has been issued inviting tenders for the conveyance to Constantinople of 113 guns, weighing 342 tons, besides 59 tons of anchors and chain cables. Captain Hackett., R.A., is to take charge of the photographic establishment which accompanies the expedition to the East. A similar provision is said to be in contemplation for the fleets. THE BALTIC FLEET. A squadron of the British fleet, eighteen strong, entered the Great Belt early on the 25th ult. On Monday last the fleet arrived off Kiel, when letters and despatches were landed for England, and an abundant supply of coal was in readiness. Early on Wednesday the fleet sailed from Kiel for Kjoge Bay, near Copenhagen. On Monday the Miranda returned to Copenhagen, having reconnoitred as far as Revel. The British Ambassador at Berlin sent on the 25th a telegraphic message, vid Hamburg, directing Admiral Napier, now that war is declared, to com mence operations. It is said that the first point of attack will be the isle of Ahland. At Copenhagen the King of Denmark refused to see Admiral Napier, on a plea of ill health, but, in reality, from an indisposition to offend the Russian party there. Two more ships have been despatched from Ports mouth, to make up the fleet originally intended for the Baltic. These are the Cesar, 01, screw, Captain Robb, and the Conflict, 8, screw, Captain John Foote. FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE. Tuesday, March 28. BANKRUPTCY ANNULLED.—Joax CORNER BLACKLOCE and THOMAS Rosittsort, Birmingham, drapers. BANKRUPTS. —HENRY STEIL, Nonricb, grocer—JAß/8 GREEN, Northampton, carpenter WILLIAM WALLER, Jun., Lawrence Pountney-lane, City, architect—JsmEs Yousto HUL BERT, New-court, City, and U_pper Grange - walk, Bermondsey, account book manufacturer —HEßaT 'MALCOLM RAMSAY, Elgin crescent, Kensington-park, builder—Tßomms RADFORD, Noble street, City, and Nanehester,'A arehouseroan—CETAßLES BARNARD GIBBS, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, grocer—ROßEßT ROBFON and Jour THOMAS ROBSON, Derby, silk manufacturere—WitEisx TURNER, Crewkerne, Somenetibire, currier—Jonat FREDERICK THTNNE, Tavistock, Des onshirr, dealer in musical Lancashire, builder. ORMEROD BRABBRAw, Bolton-le-Moors, Lancashire, builder. Friday, March 31. BANKRUPTCIES ANNULLED.—CHARLES CRAKE HAMIL TON, Little Queen-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields, ironmonger.— JAMES MITCHEL LAWTON, Manchester, dealer and Chapman. BANKRLPTS.—SALIOMIA STERNE, Great St. Helen's, mer chant.—HENßY WILSON the Your.ger, Old-street-rood, currier.— ANDREW BURN, Piccadilly, tailor.—JOHN WITHERS, Oxford, chemist and druggiist.—THOMAS O'BRIEN GLEADAM, Leaming ton, musieseller.—WlLLlAN CLARKE and THOMAS BOULTON, Manchester, check Inanufacturers.—JouN LIONS, Alie-place, Goodman's-fields, and )(Modes. packing-case maker.—HEN RY OLADWELL MORTIMER, Lee, Kent, builder.—Joaxes Soma /10AT, GlOUeeateT, draper.—ROßEßT THORSON, York, draper. The TYNEWOUTH election took place on Tuesday and Wednesday last. The following is the official declaration of the poll :—Lindsay, 307; Dicks on, 340 There was great excitement, but all passed off peace . ably. At LISKEARD the poll closed on Thursday with the following result :—Grey,l3B ; Trelawney, 119; Reed, 11. LAST NIGHT A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE broke out at Hungerford-ball, near the Strand, which raged with much violence from seven to eight o'clock. The ball has recently been opened for a public exhibition, and suffered considerable damage before the flames could be mastered. Her Majesty passed along the Strand while the conflagration was at its highest. Curiously enough, on the night of the Queen's last visit to the Lyceum Theatre another extensive fire occurred — that at Mr. Bielefeld's manufactory in North Wel lington-street. I