The Press.
London, England, 1855-12-22 00:00:00

elution ]nitiligentt.

WESTMINSTER.—The evangelical Radicals are
about to put Mr. Westerton forward to supersede
Sir John Shelley.
BRADFORD.—Mr. Charles Dickens (!) and General
Thompson, it is stated, will be solicited to contest
this borough at the next election.
LINCOLN.—Major Sibtliorp, the son and heir of the
late member, and Mr. Seely, a merchant of Lincoln,
have both issued addresses to the electors, and are
carrying on their canvass with great activity. Major
Sibthorp in his address says
My political principles are essentially Conservative, anti
in the event of my being elected I shall support the per-
manence and wellbeing of the constitution of this great
country; but T shall, nevertheless, lend my earnest aid to
ameliorate and reform all proved abuses. I am fully con-
vinced that the true policy of Conservatism is to progress
with the spirit of the age, to adopt sound measures for the
promotion of social advancement, and to encourage the
growing intelligence of the people by a more extended
system of national education. Although a firm supporter
of the Protestant religion as established in these dominions,
1 sin, at the same time, an unflinching advocate for civil
and religious liberty, desirous that every religious denomi-
nation should exercise its rights, free and unfettered, as
guaranteed by the prudence of the Legislature.
He adds that he shall support the present Govern-
ment as long as it prosecutes the war "with the
energy and spirit becoming a great nation taking a
conspicuous part in the destinies of the world;" and
that while he considers it the duty of Parliament to
entertain pacific proposals, be shall resist any terms
unlikely to secure an honourable and lasting peace.
—Mr. Charles Seely, who has several times con-
tested the representation, and was actually returned
in 1841, but ousted on a petition, is a thorough
Liberal, and as an advocate of the war considers that
"certain changes are necessary in our public depart,
ments, so that our vast resources, our wealth, our
mechanical skill, and, more than all, the bravery of
our soldiers, may be brought to bear with the greatest
effect upon the enemy."
ROCHESTER.—Mr. Bodkin, Q.C., and Mr. Martin,
jun., are continuing their canvass with energy. The
contest promises to be close.
STAFFORDSHIRE (North) —Mr. Smith Child, we
have reason to believe, has acceded to the wish of
his committee, and will not at present resign.
TAVISTOCK.—Mr. John Trelawney, formerly member
for this borough, has been invited to stand in event
of a vacancy.

THE PRUSSIAN GOVERNMENT IS believed to have
addressed a despatch to Rus-ia last month, urging
the acceptation of the third point, under the allied
interpretation. Russia is stated not yet to have
replied.
THE RUSSIAN SHOPKEEPER, according to reports
from Moscow, is losing 164 confidence in the paper-
money, and secretes his own gold, paying his volun-
tary subscription or gifts to the State in kind.

■

131xcEmBE1t 22, 1855.

THE WAR.

THE capture of Kars, an event anticipated from day
to day for the last month, has at length occurred.
The heroic garrison, after suffering from absolute
famine, and having waited patiently under extreme
privations for weeks in the hope of relief from
Erzeroum, at length succumbed, and on the 26th of
November surrendered prisoners of war. General
Mouravieff summoned the garrison to surrender on
the 14th, aid on the 15th, after a council of war
had been held, a suspension of hostilities, it is stated,
was proposed by the garrison, and agreed to by
General Motiravieff. Colonel Thompson was then
despatched to Erzeroum, to set if any hope of relief
might be expected, but finding the Russians within
three leagues of the town, and Selim Pacha without
any intention of attempting the relief of Kars, he
returned to Kats on the 22nd. General Williams
then, in an interview with General Mouravieff,
arranged the terms of capitulation, and on the 26th
the whole, garrison surrendered as prisoners of war.
Omer Pacha after the passage of the Ingour
appears to have pushed rapidly forward, and reached
the banks of the Choni, five and a half leagues from
Kutais. The village, used as a Russian depot, was
fortified and held by eight battalions, but the Pacha
attacked with vigour, forced the position, and drove
0.5 Russians out at the point of the bayonet, leaving
all the stores and winter clothing in the hands of the
Turks. By later advises, via Batoum, Otner
Pacha had reached the banks of the Kion, opposite
Kutais.
From our own camp the news is scanty in the
extreme. The Russians at times c intinued to fire
heavily on the town; the relative positions of the
two armies were unchanged ; the reconnaissance en
force of the Russians had not been succeeded by any
further movements ; and the setting in of winter oil
the Ist, with a tremendous gale of wind and its con-
comitant severities, would seem to put a final stop
for the season to all operations.
In the Sea of Azoff, operations had closed for the
year : a final cruise up to Marioupol had been
taken by Captain Osborne, and the coasts narrowly
setvehett as the squadron returned to Kertch, forced
out by the ice which had already formed over various
parts of the sea..
OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.
Lord Panmure, on the 18th, received a brief
despatch from General Codrington, announcing
the commencement of winter, and enclosing the
medical reports, by which it would appear the
health of the army has materially improved, except
in the Land Transports Corps, which shows a heavy
sick list.
The copies of reports addressed by Sir Harry
Jones to Sir James Simpson at the close of the
siege upon the conduct and the duties of the En-
gineers were received yesterday at the War-office.
Despatches have also been received from Sir
Edmund Lyons announcing the withdrawal of the
squadron in the Sea of Azoff to Kerth, and calling
the attention of the Admiralty to the unwearied zeal
and gallant services of Captain Osborne. A final
report, detailing the actual causes compelling his
withdrawal from the Sea of Azoff, from Captain Os
borne, is also inclosed by Admiral Lyons.
SURRENDER OF KARS.
The Invalide Ruud, of the 16th, announces that Kars
was surrendered to General Mouravieff on the 26th of
N ovember.
The Muchir, Wassif Pacha, eight other Paellas, General
Williams, and the entire garrison, are prisoners of war.
Oatignatti states that the park of artillery at Kars, when
it surrendered, numbered 120 field-pieces, and a few heavy
alege guns. The garrison is believed to have been about
16,000 strong. The defiles between Kars and Erzeronm
are held by the Russians.
The Invalide Russe has published the following
despatch from Prince Gortschakoff with reference. to
the late attack upon the French advanced posts :
Aide.de Camp General Prince Gortschakoff has for-
warded the following, under date of the 28th of November,
110th December.)
Ever) thing goes on satisfactorily in the Crimea.
On the 2tlth of November (Bth of December), Colonel
Oklobjio, with a small portion of the detachment of the
Upper l3elbeck, crossed the mountaimpass which gives
access to the valley of Bahia, attacked the advanced posts
of the enemy at Ourkousta and at Bap, and, having dis-
lodged them from those villages, threw them back upon
the Tachernaya,
Twenty prisoners remained in our hands.

CAMP MOVEMENTS.
The letters of "Our Own Correspondents " con-
tain so little ihcilent, that it is difficult to extract
any thing of interest. The winter had set in with
great severity, and the first day's bad weather tested
the new huts, not much to the credit of their bui4lers.
The new huts are much complained of, and it is said
They are frail, ill-made, full of chinks and knots, which

THE PRESS.

drop out, and leave inimical little embrasures for the
wind to shoot through. During a moderately strong
breeze of wind, a short time ago, the roof of one of the
hospital huts at the Monastery went off on a mission of
its own, and left the poor inmates shivering in the cold till
they were removed to another building. The hut in ques-
tion, however, was built before the new huts came. The
tents now issued to the army are new and good, and most
of the war and time worn fabrics inside which our gallant
ancestors reposed in Egypt or Spain have been condemned,
and are used as outsides for the new tents or as covers for
huts, officers' quarters, stables, and fabrics of that kind.—
Times, Nor. 30.
As an example of false economy, we called atten-
tion some time since to this case, and predicted the
result.
The authorities at home, you already know, refused the
application of the Conimi3sariat for more tarpaulins to
cover the stores, " because they were very expensive."
Well, the wet weather came on—hay began to smoke, corn
and barley to heat ; and the Commissariat officers were
obliged to purchase canvas wherever they could to prevent
the loss of thousands of pounds' worth of property, not to
speak of the mischief to the army. But the "holders of
canvas stood firm ;" they saw their opportunity, and they
refused to sell if for less than 2s. a•yard, at which sum
many hundred yards were purchased for the Commissariat
store of this division. But even now the stores are badly
protected, for there is no pitch or tar to cover the canvas,
although there is a vessel reported to be in Balaklava
with 300 tons of these useful articles on board for the use
of the army —lb.

The real evil and curse of the camp, " rasee " was
being hunted out with great vigour :
As to our own authorities, they are waging a war of
extermination against spirit vendors, and, above all,
against rakee importers. This villainous spirit inflames
men's brains and sets them mad ; it has all the abominable
properties of fresh-run tutu or new whisky, but it affects
the nervous system more mischievously, and produces
prostration, which frequently ends in death. It is dread-
fully cheap, is colourless. like gin, with a taste of bad ani
sette and a fiery burning smack on the tongue, and is
alcohol all but pure, with the exception of the adultera-
tion, which contributes the flavour. Vaptain Shervinton,
the Provost-Marshal at lialaklava, has a wonderful knack
of following out the concealed depots of this by the smell,
and the process of punishment is simple. The owners
are compelled to start the poison into the sea, and they
are then ordered to leave the Crimea instanter. Canteen-
keepers who keep 't are fined heavily, their canteens are
shut up, and themselves deported, at their own expense,
to Constantinople. No less than three native vessels were
seized the other day by Captain Shervinton full of rakee;
the cargoes were confiscated, and the ships sent away,
never to be let into Balaklava again. Every canteen-
keeper or storekeeper on whose premises a drunken sol-
dier is seen, no matter what the excuse may be, is fined
N. for each, and the Provost-Marshal has more money
than he knows what to do with from this source alone.—
lb., Dec. 4th.

THE WAR IN ASIA.
Now that it was certain that Kars had fallen, re-
inforcement.• were leaving the Crimea and Turkey
for the army in Asia. 3,000 Egyptians had left
Eupatoria for Redout-Kaleh, and further re-inforce-
ments were to be immediately sent.
The advance of Omer Pacha to Kutais had been
successfully pushed on, and it was daily expected
that he would attack and carry that position. Omer
Pacha's army numbered in all 40,000 men, and
entirely occupied the provinces of Mingrelia and
Gouriel. The want of pontoons is stated to be
seriously felt by the Sirdar.

The Austrian Government has consented to a
diminution of the transit dues on goods from
Prussia and the Zollverein. This is a step peculiarly
advantageous to Russia.
The Project to Send out Schoolmasters to the
Crimea has, we believe, been abandoned, in
favour of sending them to Aldershott Camp.
The price of provisions in Paris still continues
very high. The Government are making every
endeavour to relieve the necessities of the poor, and
it is believed that the foreign orders of the mann
facturers will fully occupy the operatives throughout
the winter.
Adxices from St. Petersburg state that the main
force at Odessa will be removed to Nicolaiett and
that the Czar has ordered a concentration of forces
on all the strong positions of the Black Sea and the
Baltic.
The Mortiteur has officially announced that the
Imperial Guard and the regiments of the line lately
returned from the Crimea will make their solemn
entry into Paris on the 29th. The Emperor will
meet and harangue them at the Bastile, and the
defile take place in the Place Vendome.
Prince Paskiewitch, upon the opinion of Dr.
Oppoldzar, the eminent German physician, is suffer-
ing from an incurable and perforating abscess in the
stomach.
The trial of the late Danish Ministry is put off
until the 12th of January next.
It is sail that Count Stalkelberg brought proposals
of peace w Vienna from St. Petersburg, somewhat
different from those agreed on by Austria and the
allies.

1209

1 ortign Otorrespontentt.

FRANKFORT, Dec. 18.
GERMANY is uneasy in its position. A selfish apathy
has been converted into a selfish fear, without other
or honester motive of action. Having been unwillingly
roused from their sluggish state, the German papers
give a vent to their ill-nature by peevishly drawing a
comparison betwixt the numerical strength of the
French and English armies, and by making remarks,
perfectly inconclusive and void of truth, in order to
dispa -age the personal prowess of the English
soldier. The taste of the fellow-Saxon shall not be
disputed ; but it is right to observe that the Russian
holds a different language, and the day may come
when the Saxon taunt may produce bitter fruit. The
mission of General Canrobert to the Scandinavian
powers, the mighty preparations of England to place
her navy upon a gigantic scale, such as the world has
never yet beheld, and the lofty tone of the Emperor
Napoleon, force upon the German mind the sense
of insecurity. Therefore it is that he slow)), arises
from his neutral slumber. German and Prussian
envoys have been sent to undo the work of General
Canrobert—an attempt unwise and impossible to
be successful. Self-interest is acute of perception,
and cannot be lulled into forgetfulness. If the fleets
and armies of England and France visit the seas of
the Baltic in the spring they will bear the aspect and
do the deeds of masters, on good terms with neutrals
if so be, or on any other, as the occasion may require,
and without the possibility of let or hindrance. The
ports of the Baltic, one and all, "per fas aut nefits,"
will be at the disposal of the combined armaments.
Yet if peace be obtainable on just and honourable
terms, so that after honest reconciliation the parties
shall stand on the same footing as of old, "bent
relicta parmula," the rejection of such opportimity
would be an act of " lege ntajeste" against the
humanities, and by providential decretal would bring
about its due punishment.
Whatever discussions may have taken place be-
tween the Western and other Cabinets upon this
momentous question, it is certain that Russia has
not extended the basis of the four points of
Vienna :
La Ilussic n' a pas donne son adhesion a des proposi-
tions psoifiques dont l'Antriche as serait faite l'organe
aupres des liouvernemens de France et d'Angleterre ; Men
plus, on doute que see propositions aient ete faites, entin
on dente egalement, si on ne le nie pas bien fortnellement,
que les Cabinets des Tuileries et de St. James Benoit
d'accord sur lea questions de l'opportunitii et des condi-
tions de la pair.
The perfect concord existing betwixt the Cabinets
of France and England is what Russia and Germany
would wish to doubt and seek to destroy. Without
such union, any approach at negotiation by a third
party would be irrelevant and of no avail. At the
same time much would depend upon the character
of such mediator, his fitness for the office, combined
w►th intrinsic worth an moral value. If not trusted
loyally and equally by England and France, or if
mistrusted by one, or again suspected by each party,
such parole intervention would not be worthy of
attention. As Austria has voluntarily sought the
post of mediator, let her position towards the belli-
gerents and her aptitude for the office be fairly
examined.
Count Pozzo di Borgo, Russian Minister in 1839,
makes use of the following expressions in a letter to
Count Nesselrode :
Austria is, according to me, the main author of the
present critical situation of the Eastern question. During
four years the Prince Metternich has paralysed and
baffled the most noble sentiments without regard to the
delicate position of Russia, and constantly abused the eon-
‘idence which we placed in him. Our
therefore, that we should show ourselves
un aspect terrible," and persuade her
a movement against us, she
head the most terrible storm
These be untoward expressions
certificate of mediation. Nit-
Prince Metternich was
by Prince Felix Schwartzeie
Minister was unable to
revolution, and earnestly I.
the Czar, which he obtained,
served Hungary to the house
Alter this loyal evidence
Prince said, in allusion
n'est pas eloigne oil l'Au
par la grandeur de son
words, that, avowing a
moral restraint, make
without compunction as
daring perfidy, and in due .
the administration of Count
Metternich, came the Decemi
ostensibly in antagonism
Russia, and in favour of

sou
in him. Our policy demands,
how ourselves w Austria, " sons
iersuade her that if she makes
he will see bursting upon her
In that she has ever known.
.pressions for a qualifying
I. Nine years afterwards
succeeded in his high office
rtzeuberg. The impatient
to quell the Hungarian
v besought the assistance of
fined, and which literally pre-
house of Hapsburg-Lorraine.
of amity and good faith, the
n to Russia, Le moment
iutriche etonnera le monde,
m ingratitude." Memorable
course of action free from
public the lapse of bon,ur
without shame. After this
ue succession of time, under
>unt Buol, the pupil of Prince
December treaty of
em to the old benefactor,
f the Western powers. These

1210

facts are summed up to show beyond the power of
doubt and misconception that Russia cannot esteem
Austria, does not believe, and will not trust her.
Held, then, to be without character by Russia, save
in an unwarthy sense, having twice emblazoned her
deficiency of honour, and confessing by the
Schwartzenberg maxim to be without loyalty or
gentlemanly feeling, the mediation of Austria as
regbrds Russia must be rated at the minimum of
value.

With England Austria fares not better. The Decem-
ber treaty of 1854 was mentally broken before signa-
ture. The Papal Concordat has been framed with a
view to effect Protestant suppression, under the plea
of Catholic unity, throughout Austro-Germany and
Northern Italy; and the degradation of her Majesty's
commission, with opprobrious violence, is a recent
matter, and has been accompanied by the public
abuse in the Court Journal of Vienna of the officers
and soldiers of the English army. These are not
" firmans" of confidence whereby England can be
warranted in relying on Austrian honour and
Austrian propositions.
There is a determination amongst the several
Governments of Germany, and assented to by the
Diet, to reform many of the crudities in the Consti-
tution of 1848. Such a course might he beneficial,
provided the necessary changes were performed in a
liberal spirit; but unfortunately they are taken up
by the extreme party, essentially Russian, and there•
fore they will meet with an opposition apart from the
merit of the case. It is not in England alone that
party spirit loses sight of public good for the substi-
tution of private and selfish ends. Appearances,
however, justify the suspicion that a system of
governmental retrogression will be attempted, sub-
versive of constitutional principles. To reform con•
stitutional defects by just and moderate legislation,
and to adjust the balance of electoral power, is one
thing ; to rescind and abolish accorded privileges,
and to annul right by the application of wrong, is
another, and cannot be done with impunity or with-
out danger. This is not the moment proper for
hazardous experiments at variance with the spirit of
the day, for they must tend to popular commotion,
and will command the sympathies of all liberal
Governments. The difficulty of the Gotha party in
contest with the Crucian adherents of despotism, is
derived from the vices and excesses of republicanism,
past in deed, present in intent, and future in deter-
mination. amongst the middle and trading classes
absolutism is in a large majority against republi-
canism, for cnmrnerce and property are safe under
the rule of the irresponsible Kaisar, whereas re-
publican communism, or pillage, which is one
and the same, abolishes exclusive title as a
vulgar error, condemns to death without trial,
and executes without mercy. This, according to
republican phraseology, is denominated law and
justice. Before there can be a chance of preserving
and perpetuating law and order, in a just sense,
these enemies of humanity must be extirpated.
"On se range," with the Kaiser; but whilst a " soldo"
remains to be pilfered, or a shred of virtue to be
maltreated, the republican works " tout court" at
his allotted vocation.
These arguments have been put forward with
success at the late elections by the " parti de la
Croix ;" but in strict parlance the Ministerial majo-
rity has been acquired by the common and simple
means of bribery and corruption. M. de Schwerin,
supported by ninety members of the "gauche," has
made the following motion in the Prussian chain.
hers :—" 1. Qu'une enquete soit etablie par le
Ministre d'Etat a l'effet de constater jusqu' quel
point les agents du pouvoir ont influence les dernie.res
elections, et en ent entrave la liberte. 2. Que le re-
sultat de cette enquete soit communique a is chambre
des delegues." This is similar to the Roebuck Commit •
tee on bribery at elections. The result of the debate
is looked for with some anxiety, as the centre droite"
have also made a protest on the improper conduct of
the officials at the late elections. Should M. do
Schwerin force on his motion with ulterior views, the
" centre droite " will abstain from interference ; but
in the event of all parties confining themselves to
the strict motion, a partial success may be obtained,
when the Minister of Police and a few secondary
officials will be sacrificed for the purposes of party.
gevertheless, it is an awkward time for the des-
potists to discuss a matter of this nature ; and with
its admitted truths it may serve t 3 hold in check
those constitutional assaults in which they have
madly made up their minds to persevere with the
assistance of the Diet.

Mr. Curtis, the English Consul at Cologne, has
received the royal pardon. The " Crucians," how-
ever, who were adverse to this pompous clemency,
have resorted to other criminations, and have brought
forward in evidence a soldier of the 28th Regiment,
in garrison at Aix-la-Chapelle, and arrested at Dussel-
dorf. He pretends to have been bribed (embauche) to
desert his regiment, and to enter the Foreign Legion.
The accusation against the English Government of
having appointed agents to induce foreign soldiers to
desert their colours, is a proof of the acrimony that