The Press.
London, England, 1856-08-09 00:00:00

THE WEEK.

THE Eastern Question is yet far from settled. Through want of that
precision which diplomatists, of all men, should exercise, the negotia-
tors at Paris did not accomplish their work so well as could he wished.
Nothing was said as to the Danubian fortresses Ismail and Kilia
being restored to the Turks with their fortifications intact. Lord
CLARENDON supposed that the fortifications would " of course " not be
destroyed before surrender ; the Russians more naturally thought it
their duty "of course " to make the possessions they yielded to an
enemy of as little value as they could before resigning them ; and the
Turks came into possession of only ruined towers and dismantled
walls. No exact time was fixed for the evacuation of Kars, and the
Russians hold that they have a right to occupy it till they learn that
the evacuation of their soil is complete. A more serious difficulty
concerns the Isle of Serpents (Firdonisi), some five and twenty miles
from the Sulina mouth of the Danube. As this island was previous to
to the war in possession of Russia, and as no mention whatever was
made of it in the Treaty or at the Paris Conferences, the Russians have
occupied it, and contend they have a right to its possession. On the
other hand, Austria, who seems to have moved most actively in the
matter, maintains that as the freedom of the mouths of the Danube
was one of the main points always contemplated by the Allies, Russia
cannot hold an island so near the Danube without glaringly violating
the terms of the Treaty. The British Cabinet, it is reported, has taken
up the subject so warmly as to transmit au order to Admiral LYONS,
commanding in the Turkish waters, to enter with his fleet into the
Black Sea. The matter in dispute is so trivial in itself, that it is
scarcely likely any such order has been given. The island is a mere
rock, scarcely larger than the area of St. Paul's Churchyard. It is on
every account to be regretted that such petty points of dispute should
be suffered to exist, as the desire of this country is, now that the war
is finished, to cordially shake hands with our enemies and forget past
disputes in amicable relations. This also should be the wish of
Russia; and we cannot help thinking that her authorities in the South
will go beyond the instructions of their Government in hindering by
any means the complete bona-fide execution of the Treaty.

The weighty business of framing a form of government for the
Danubian provinces remains to be adjusted. The most important
point to be settled is, whether they shall have a joint or separate
administration. The former plan would seem every way preferable,
as, united, the Principalities would form a considerable State, and be
able to resist the intrigues of their powerful neighbours. The fertile
soil of Wallachia and Moldavia, with their favorable position at the
mouth of the Danube and Euxine seaboard, would. with a really
national administration, in all probability soon raise them high in the
scale of industrial prosperity. The people do not lack either intelli-
gence or enterprise. We are pleased to receive the first number of a
well-produced journal, L'Etoilo du Danube, published at Jassy, and
printed in French, intended to make the European public acquainted
with the internal wants and wishes of the Roumain people. This
journal advocates with zeal and distinguished ability the union and
self-government of the Principalities. The Commission has not yet
began its labours. The British Commissioner, Sir HENRY BULWER,
is at present in Paris, settling, probably, with the French Government
the leading ideas to be followed.
With the surrender of Saragossa the insurrection in Spain may
be considered at an end. Marshal O'Dosszu. is master of the situa-
tion. The blood freely spilt in Madrid and Barcelona will probably
prevent any attempt at rising elsewhere. The French Government
regards the proceedings which have taken place and the energetic
action of the Marshal-Minister with entire complacency. The
Moniteur, in a communication from Madrid, maintains that " matters,
" as far as the Clown is concerned, have followed a perfectly con-
" stitutional course." The Duke of VICTORY is blamed for his obsti-
nacy in refusing to co-operate with the Marshal. This remarkable
article may be regarded in some measure as a manifesto against the
Liberal party. It is declared to be " fortunate for the Peninsula that
" the ultra fraction of the Progressista party should spontaneously have
" led to its own destruction, and afforded an opportunity of bringing
"to a close a system of disorganisation and anarchy." Mention is
made of the " progress of Socialism " during the last six months, and
of " the false ideas which prevailed in the Cortes." It is evident from
the whole tenor of this article, that the French Government is
determined to support the Royal authority in Spain, and to watch
with a most jealous eye any future insurrectionary movements which
may take place in that kingdom.
The latest arrivals from the United States indicate that Colonel
FREMONT is gaining ground as a candidate for the Presidency. The
New York Herald has curiously calculated the relative strength of the
candidates by summing up the newspaper support they command.
It states that FREMONT has in his favour 188 newspapers, representing
a total circulation of 474,968 ; BUCHANAN 172 newspapers, with 294,793
copies ; and Fli.utoae 58 journals, circulating 95,391. Of the
journals for BUCHANAN, 104 are in the north, and 88 in the south ; of
those for FREMONT, 182 in the north, and only six in the south. This
is an indication of the principle on which the contest will mainly turn.
In the excitement of the coming struggle foreign polities aze little
thought of ; but we have every reason to be satisfied with the manner in
which the settlement of the foreign enlistment squabble has been re-
ceived. The United States' journas ridicule the idea of a war between
the two countries, and give Great Britain full credit for the modera-