The Press. — London, England, 1854-07-01 00:00:00

7 OM THE WEEK. POLITICAL events, just now, possess the interest of a stirring drama. They move but slowly, yet a change is visible from week to week, though far from being decisive enough to satisfy public impatience. A fortnight • ago we were speculating whether Silistria would hold out till succours arrived. No one imagined that the garrison alone would suffice to heat the Russian army, and occasion it such disastrous loss as it has certainly sustained. Now, the question is asked, what the Russian retreat signifies ? It is an acknowledgment of defeat that no one can doubt, but it is adopted for purposes of concentration and generalship, or is it really preliminary to a complete evacuation of the principalities? Other questions of nearer interest agitate our public. Will the great interests at stake be decided by istiETTERNICH, MANTEUFFEL, and ABER DEEN, or by NAPIER, DUNDAS, and ST. ARNAUD? Is the pen or the sword to bear sway? Diplomatists aro at present the most active. While we expect, in vain. decisive news from the Enxine and the Baltic, we hear that a treaty has been concluded between Austria and the Porte, which has completely changed the aspect of the European question, and may lead either,—according to the interpretation put on it,—to a speedy peace or a long-protracted war. Considering our intimate relations with the Porte, and the pro digious exertions we are now making to assist it against its great enemy, it seemed reasonable to suppose that our Government would have been informed of any negotiations for a treaty with Austria, which would not only make that Power a principal in the great war question, but would place it in the position of supreme arbiter by re signing to its custody the provinces which have, thus far, been the cause of quarrel and the seat of war. But no. The President of 'the Council declared on Thursday night, with complacent simplicity that the British Government had not yet received any copy of the conven tion by which Turkey gave over the custody of the principalities to Austria, and that all he knew on the subject was that such a conven tion was concluded. Considering that the treaty was signed on the 14th of June, we must suppose that the contracting parties are in no seat haste to give our Government information on the subject. The Austrian army for occupation is stated to amount to 300,000 men. Should it turn out that the action of the German Courts has been concerted with Russia, that not only has the evacuation of the Danubian provinces on one side, and their occupition on the other, been arranged, but that the questions of the navigation of the Danube and the Black Sea have been settled, what course would then be taken by France and England? Are their Governments prepared. at once to entertain proposals of peace framed by the astute diplomatists of Germany ? If not, and the resolve be taken that Russia is, according to the popular phrase, to be " crippled "—how long may the war last? A crisis or decisive turn in the contest is plainly at hand Peace or war now trembles in the balance, as it did last autumn when the Court of St. Petersburg acceded to the proposals of the Vienna con ference. The policy of Count NESSELRODE was then too fine for his country's interests. His famous despatch giving a Russian interpre tation to the Vienna note turned the scale for war. The despatch pub lished early in the week that Russia had acceded to the German proposal, has received no confirmation. A decisive answer cannot much longer be delayed. Is it probable that rumour in this instance, as in so many others, has preceded truth? Our own anticipations are on record. Meanwhile, our Goverment is compelled to act as if it contem plated a long continuance of hostilities. Five more regiments of infantry, two regiments of cavalry, and a field battery of artillery have been ordered for service in Turkey. With these reinforcements our army in the East will amount to 30,000 effective men. Varna has suddenly assumed great importance. The English force amounts to 20,000, the Duke of CAMBRIDGE being with the camp on the Balkan between Varna and Schumla, and the French army to 40,000. This choice force is in .high condition and ready for action. Its destination furnishes new matter for keen speculation. When and where will it meet the foe the gallant fellows are so eager to engage ? The Danube has almost ceased to occupy attention. Another map will have to be enrolled for the seat of war. The Emperor NICHOLAS is now looking anxiously to the Crimea, and the coast about Odessa. He has set out from his capital for the south, to visit the Crimea, and inspect his Black Sea fortresses. Last week we announced that Sir C. NAPIER, with his fleet, was to sail for Cronstadt on the 21st; the last advices say he did sail on the 27th, though what he was to d' when he approached Cronstadt baffles conjecture. Will the great case of " Wooden versus Stone Walls" be tried this season. The issue might be perilous and must not be rashly joined. If Helsingfors, before which the fleet lingered long, be impregnable, what chance is there that Cronstadt will be less strong? No land forces have been prepared to assist the fleet. The time for active operations is but short. A few weeks more of inaction would terminate au inglorious campaign, and lead to a total suspen sion of hostilities for eight months at least. Is that the result con templated in certain quarters, and is it hoped that the forced inac tivity through the long Baltic winter would cool the warlike fervour of our people ? The despatches from Sir C. NAPIER vaunted by the First Lord of the Admiralty are printed in last night's Gazette ;" but there is no glory in reckoning up the number of barrels of pitch and tar, or the spats, plank, deals, rope, sails, and naval stores, destroyed by our ships. The damage we have yet inflicted on the.enemy counts for little r • in comparison with the loss of the Tiger, and the disaster at Old Carleby. The official details of that fatal casualty do not differ from the accounts before published. The loss in killed, wounded, and missing was ex ceedingly heavy for the numbers engaged. THE PRESS. SATURDAY, As the war proceeds, feelings on each side are likely to become more bitter. Sir JAMES GRAHAM, in an angry speech on Thursday, thought "no particular forbearance should longer be shown to such "an enemy." Yet in one respect, be it from feeling or policy, the Czar has shown great humanity. A letter from an officer of the Tiger says nothing could exceed the courteous treatment both officers and men received while they were at Odessa. The wife of Captain GiF FARD left England to share her husband's captivity, but on arriving at Odessa found he was dead, and had only the melancholy satisfac tion of visiting his grave. The Czar, hearing he had fought at Nava rino, directed that his sword should be restored to him, and that he should be set at liberty, but the favour came too late. In St. Petersburg prodigious preparations are made to fortify the city. It already wears the appearance of a beleaguered place. The aspect of the streets is changed, the animation of trade is departed, and the movement of troops is incessant, yet substantially the trade of the empire is undisturbed, its commerce being carried on, and on the whole, perhaps, more advantageously through German ports. At home Lord ABERDEEN'S " explanation " on Monday night has failed to satisfy even his own supporters. His former speech, as it was delivered late in the debate, could not have been unpremeditated. Why did it require explanation ? Or of what explanation was his deliberate judgment on the moderation of Russian policy susceptible ? The production of the Adrianople despatch is most damaging to him• It shows how that treaty falsified all the "solemn promises" of moderation given at the commencement of the war ; it is an exaggerated statement of the power of Russia and the weakness of Turkey, the conclusion from the whole being that the Ottoman power must sue at • his Imperial Majesty's feet for mercy and protection. As an elaborate exposition of mighty wrong, and a slavish submission to assumed irresistible power, it stands alone among State papers. The Oxford Bill passed the Commons on Thursday, a new Go. vernment defeat marking its last stage. The enthusiastic cheers which hailed the announcement of the numbers showed the sense of the House on the discreditable manoeuvre of the Government. _ VYv Lord DUDLEY STUART'S speech on Thursday smartly expressed the sentiments with which the Ministerial changes are regarded by the class he represents He gave plain voice to the opinion that the public convenience had been sacrificed to personal motive and party conneetion. The House not only laughed but listened while he spoke of round men thrust into square holes, and square men into round ones, and ridiculed the notion of Lord PALMERSTON commanding an army of policemen, and directing the construction of sewers. As an evidence of the increasing dissatisfaction with which the conduct of the Government is viewed by its supporters, the speech has some political significance. CABINET PARTNERSHIPS (WITH " LIMITED LIABILITY"). (After the only Operatic Piece of Robert Burns.) The student who would learn All the truth of Oxensteirn, Or of Walpole's declaration that " all history's untrue," Should turn him to the fate Of the Tuesday night's debate— See Ministers endeavouring their union to undo. THE When from hedges and highways They a Cabinet did raise, The doctrine of commandito they fully recognised ; But for trade and " Coalitions " They have d ifferent conditions, And beg to keep from commerce what in place•hunting they prized. Tother day when assembled the question arose, Whether Collier's attempt they'd support or oppose? " What doctrine is this ?" cried Lord John, with a stare, " We are each of us hound by what each may declare. Let responsibility cowards appal! Adsum qui feci, I'll answer for all ! " But Pam laid his hand the small shoulder upon, Saying, " Think of quid valeant humeri, John ! Quid Terre recusant d on't - shove off on me, I've a limited liability! '" " What were my case," with lengthened face, Quoth Presbyterian Aberdeen, " But that scot-free thistrule holds me To wink at all I've heard and seen. " Let Beaumont quoto—that Austria wrote To Metternich, and he to me; I but deny my own reply By limited liability.' " 'Tie true Lord John put Luther on And played the part with such a grace, That I was fain again to gain Mock angry Papists back to place. " 'Tis true like 'free-companions ' we Each cause and banner daily try; What's that to me ?—such things must be With • limited liability.'" PrPr 612