The Press.
London, England, 1855-01-13 00:00:00

THE WEEK.

AT the commencement of the week, when telegraphic messages
from Vienna announced that the Emperor NICHOLAS had accepted the
definition placed on the four points by the Ministers of the allied
Powers, sanguine persons believed that all cause of war was removed,
and that peace must be near at hand. The conclusion was not un-
reasonable. It was imagined that M. BORQUENEY, Lord WESTMORE-
LAND, and Count Boot., must, after the consideration given to the four
points since August last, have been well acquainted with the views of
their Governments as to the construction to be placed on them. But
such does not appear to have been the case. The French Govern-
ment has very distinctly intimated its opinion, that a courteous diplo-
matic construction of the four points will not satisfy it—so that, what-
ever course England and Austria may wish to take, the acceptance of
the Emperor NICHOLAS is not likely to be attended with any political
results. Our funds, which jumped up two per cent. at prospect of peace,
have since declined, and will probably go down lower still, as this new
difficulty may retard or prevent the much-talked-of Austrian alliance.
Other cards begin to make their appearance on the board. Prussia
has signified her adherence to the Treaty of December 2, and thus
again becomes a member of the great European family, and is entitled
to take part in any conference or congress to assemble at Vienna. Our
Cabinet, fertile in diplomatic expedients, and always hoping to repair
its misfortunes in war by successful negotiation, now proposes that a
new Congress shall assemble at Vienna early next month. Again we
hear of " preliminary steps" with " a view to the negotiation of peace,"
&c., and meanwhile Austria, we suppose, retains her neutral attitude.
The Morning Post, in its official announcement of yesterday, assumes
that the fall of Sebastopol is alone wanting to give effect to the delibe-
rations of the Congress about to assemble. Then the acceptance by
the Czar of the four conditions may be taken into consideration ; but is
it so certain that he will then stand by them? Meanwhile, the acceptance,
whether sincerely meant or not, has done its work. Austria is still free, and
waiting for the new Congress. In that Congress, England, if represented
by her present Cabinet, will side with Austria and Prussia one way ; and
France, determined on the reduction of the Russian power, will stand
alone on the other. Plainly this Congress is not a thoughtless scheme—
there is design in it. But to rational and honest minds there is something
most painful and revolting in this continued talk of peace, when peace
is not meant, and in this abuse of negotiation to humour the whim or
forward the baseless schemes of "austere intriguers." On one point
Lord ABERDEEN is always successful. He clings closely to the skirts
of Austria for protection against the bold policy of France, and by
Austrian aid contrives to confine the objects of the war within the
narrowest possible limits. But the four points, all invented for Aus
trian interests, may soon have their day. The war cannot for ever be re-
stricted to such contemptible ends, and then the worthlessness of that
cunning policy which has set all these conferences in motion, and has
vainly attempted to conceal its jealousy of French influence by calling
in German States to balance it, will be exposed to the contempt it
merits.

Two new incidents attract attention iu the history of the war—
the concentration of a large Turkish force at Eupatoria, and
the renewed invasion of the Dobrudscha by the Russians. From
letters dated the 30th of December from Varna, we learn that
the depot there is fast breaking up. The health of such troops as re-
main is described as being very good. OMER PACHA arrived the morn-
ing our advices were written, and despatches were awaiting him from
Lord RAGLAN. A steamer had just come in from the Crimea, bringing
intelligence that the Russians were assembling in force at Alma, fear-
ing an advance of the Turkish troops on the north. Our correspon-
dent adds, that about 48,000 Turkish troops are expected to be sent to
Eupatoria, of which more than 8,000 had already arrived there.
Taking advantage of the comparatively defenceless state of the
Turkish frontier, a Russian corps has crossed the Danube, pushed
into the Dobrudscha, and captured both Babadagh and Tultscha,
notwithstanding a spirited resistance made by SADYK PACHA in the
latter place. This movement shows that the enemy is watchful and
enterprising. It does not appear likely, however, that they can be in
any force, as we hear that great exertions are made in Odessa to
forward reinforcements to the Crimea by forced marches, and by
waggon conveyance.

The condition of our army before Sebastopol still continues deplora-
ble. With all the reinforcements, the force fit for active service scarcely
increases ; and what a lamentable reflection is it that all this suffering
and loss might have been avoided by timely forethought. Directly the
men are supplied with warm clothing and full rations their condition
improves. Were the camp furnished, as it might be from its proximity
to the sea, with common necessaries, as shelter, firing, clothing, and
food, the men might have been preserved in excellent health. " Too
late" in the work of preparation at home is the cause of all their
wretchedness and mortality. Continued reinforcements pour in to
the enemy, and, if only from the numerous forces congregating on either
side, it is highly probable that an engagement will soon take place.
From the disorganised state of our army it is supposed that the brunt
of battle must, in the next engagement, fall on our French allies, and
that at the utmost we shall be only able to support them. It was
affirmei that the bombardment would be resumed early in this month :
there has been long preparation on both sides, and the fighting once
begun we may anticipate will be of the most terrific character.

The expected return of Admiral DUNDAB to England has given rise
to many rumours upon various points connected with his late com-
mand in the Black Sea. The most serious, and the one which will