The Press. — London, England, 1855-09-29 00:00:00

No. 126.—V0L. 111. LONDON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1855. STAMPED . ST SIXPENCE. UNAMPEI)..FIVEPENCE. (1"b!),t rtss. The effective troops of Russia in the Crimea are believed to amount still to at least 150,000 men, and it will obviously require great caution on the part of the allied Com manders to make any offensive movement against so imposing a force We said before, when that cloud of war which now hangs over the political world so heavily was but as a speck in the horizon, that Russia has her place in the European system. It is the reproach of English policy for the last thirty years that Russia was not com pelled to keep within her proper limits. The timid deference of Lord ABERDEEN, who never knew the strength of England, or understood the English character, allowed her to deal as she chose with Turkey ; and for nearly a quarter of a century afterwards the aimless disquieting rule of Lord PALMERSTON gave strength and consistence to her steadily pro gressive policy in every part of the world. The balance of Europe was seriously disturbed when Austria called a Russian army to her assistance to suppress the insurrection in Hungary she was unable to quell herself. From that time the tranquillity of the East was seriously threatened. LONDON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1855 THE present moment is critical. The aspect of the war is changing. It is passing into a new phase; and the country needs the guid ance of its natural leaders. The time has come when our public men should declare their sentiments on the political situation, and fulfil the noblest duty of statesmanship by directing the national sentiment to moderate, just, and truly politic aims. We can now say that every object for which the war was originally undertaken has been conceded by negotiation or won by arms. Russia no longer claims those exclusive pri vileges which placed her in perpetual an tagonism with the Turkish Government. She has resigned her claim to the guardianship of the Greek subjects of the Porte, and to the protectorate of the Principalities. She is willing to admit Turkey into the European system—a point in itself of vital importance —and to guarantee, in accord with the other contracting Powers, the independence of its Government and the integrity of its territory. She is also disposed to place the free naviga tion of the Danube under the superintendence of collective Europe. One obstacle only re mained—the supremacy of Russia in the Black Sea ; that supremacy is now destroyed. The last Russian ship has been sunk or burnt, and Sebastopol is in ruins. For what object is the war now to be continued? To gratify a futile sentiment of honour, or to in dulge those fierce passions which the war has aroused ? The danger exists no longer. The Court of St. Petersburg has been taught that there are limits which it will never be suffered to over pass. The dream of conquering Sebastopol has been rudely dispelled ; and whenever peace may be concluded, the boundary, not only of Russian territory, but of Russian influence, will be distinctly traced. The task for which we took up arms is ac complished. The power which England has exercised in the councils of Europe arises in great measure from the confidence reposed in her justice and moderation. The statesmen of this country have never been favorable to wars of extremity, or wars of aggrandisement. Our policy from the first was not to overthrow, but to maintain the balance {of European power ; and we shall be false to our principles and traditional policy if we continue a Con tinental contest from any sentiment of re venge, or any chimerical notion that we are called on to war against forms of Government or existing European relations. Whatever difficulties may at present seem to beset terms of pacification, we are persuaded there is a moderate party in each of the nations con cerned sufficiently strong to overcome them, if once persuaded that peace is practicable and that conciliatory proposals have only to b 3 made to meet with cordial and sincere response. Great obstacles may exist to peace. We do not disguise their magnitude. They may arise from the stubborn pride of our foe, nourished by defeat; from the popular elation of the allied States, roused by victory ; from all the subtle points of privilege and interest in separable from the anomalous position of the Ottoman empire, and the peculiar state of the Black Sea ; and, lastly, from the timidity or jealousies of politicians. But if the war is to continue for one or any of these reasons, it will be a lasting disgrace to the statesman ship of Europe. England and France have no longer an ob ject in maintaining the war. They entered on it reluctantly, and for a specific purpose—the defence of the Turkish empire. That purpose has been attained. Circumstances may render it absolutely necessary for them to continue the contest ; they cannot force Russia to make peace, but their policy must be, if they remain true to their original cause and professions, to prosecute war only till satisfactory terms of peace can be obtained. The reduction of the Russian empire was as suredly never contemplated when their alliance was formed. If they pursue hostilities for that end its whole character is changed, the European system is overthrown, and it is im possible to foresee the calamities to which .heir policy may lead, or the duration and in ensity of the struggle it may produce. POLITICAL PARTIES IN ITALY. DURING the present crisis of affairs in Italy it will not he inopportune to make some remarks on the state of parties in that peninsula— parties but little known in England, but doubtless destined to no small part in any future struggle. We have on more than one occasion brought to the general knowledge existence in Naples of a party has existed ever since JOACHIM ; but it is, in fact, the Bonapartist party in plan proposed after the NAPOLEON, and interrupted of the Hundred Days. This scheme, first r LITTA, of Milan, was for empire of United Italy, united under one head, P • y7,6e/ a)sid4 Za1.....1...1.0111111111.1111.11.11111101.111 /" 1 CA — a — te e 9 t rte6,l+ ;e of our readers the Muratist party. This [nee the death of King Let, only a section of 1 Italy, founded on a first fall of the first ,ed only by the events elaborated by D 0 N the foundati4 - of „ 6 , a democratic - , but aubdivici t ed jute 411 4 •.!', • • • 4 trF ••• rr I ' I PhVI 4 X "PRESS" OFFICE, Friday Evening, September 28. THE details which have been received this week of the part taken by the British army in the great day of the Bth of September are of a nature to excite painful feelings in the public mind. We do not allude to the mere fact of the repulse, as it is doubtful whether our troops could, under any cir cumstances, have overcome the obstacles opposed to them ; but it does not appear that the attack was made with the fore thought, precision, strength, and spirit best calculated to give the men confidence in their command and to inspire them with hopes of success. The attacking column was feeble ; it was chiefly composed of young soldiers whose only experience of warfare had been gained in the trenches ; and it was not adequately supported. In stances there were of brilliant courage and the most generous devotion, but the general conduct of the day did not sustain the lustre of British arms. Colonel WINDHAM is a hero, and we know that we express the sentiments of the entire Sebastopol army in saying that no reward which it is in the power of the Crown to bestow will be thought too high for his distinguished merit. As the town of Sebastopol has now fallen, it is probable that General SIMPSON will no longer think himself compelled to retain his command. He has suffered severely in health, and may not unnaturally desire to be relieved from his arduous duties before new operations are under taken. It is reported that General CODRING TON will return home. The task of finding a successor for General SrupsoN will be difficult. The names of General MARKHAM and General EYRE are both mentioned : each has a high reputation, and either appointment would be popular. The statement purporting to come from St. Petersburg that the Allies had landed 20,000 men at Eupatoria, and that the Russian infantry had retired before this force, is entirely destitute of foundation.