The Press.
London, England, 1854-06-24 00:00:00

T.E E P R

JUNE 24,-1854.

the disasters of the enemy have tended to strengthen the Government. ,
This is not the. ,case ;at present. Notwithstaad,i4 ,the favourable
•
accounts from the Danube, the embarrassments a the'Adml.inistration
have increased, and their position becomes more difficult.
A new turn has been given to the war by two events of great im-
portance—the raising of the siege of Silistria by the Russians, and
the conclusion of a treaty between Austria and the Porte for the occu-
pation of the Principalities by the former Power. • The loss of the
RuSsians before Silistria must have been immense. The operations
of the siege began on the 17th of May. On the 22nd a desperate
assault was made, and defeated with great slaughter. Two days later
the assault was renewed in greater force, but with no better result;
and the Russians left, it is stated, 2,000 dead on the geld of combat,
and sent a flag of truce for permission to bury their dead:- ,The fight,.
however, was but suspended. On the 2nd inst. it was renewed, the
Russian flotilla bombarding the town. In this bombardment the
gallant commander of Silistria, MUSSA PACHA, was kilted. Part Of a
shell struck him on the side, and he almost immediately expinnt,, but
not, it is said, until lie saw the victory of his troops assured. This
third defeat seems to have discouraged the Russians, and to have •
roportionateo raised the courage of the Turks. Theyiasued from
the work's oh the 12th inst. with irresistible fury, and in .d dreadful
conflict thinned the ranks of the enemy. The. Russian batteries and
works on the island opposite the fortress were destroyed. The Russian
commanders have suffered severely. SCHILDERS received a wound
which rendered the amputation of his leg necessary. Prince PASICIE•
WITSCH and Prince GORTSCHAKOFF are both supposed to be badly hurt,-
and young Count ORLOFF is past recovery.
The retreat of the Russian army would seem a necessary conse-
quence of these reverses, more especially as detachments of the French •
and English armies were on their way to Silistria. Several of our
regiments had arrived at Varna in excellent health and spirits, and
without delay marched for the scene of action. If the Russians could
not hold their ground against the Turkish garrison -alone, how can
they hope to do so when powerful reinforcements arrive from the
camp of OMER PACHA with some of the finest corps of the English and
French armies ? The Russians must feel that their chance is up, and
that nothing but retreat can save them.
The treaty between Austria and the Porte was concluded on the
2nd instant. If Austria occupies the Principalities, She would, with
an army of 150,000 men, be in a good position to negotiate. But
meanwhile Varna, where the allies must &kin have a considerable
force, is favourably situated for expeditions to be directed against
the Crimea or other parts of the Russian coasts.
The Debate of yesterday contains a long paper pretending to give
the results of the Conference at Testchen. It was supposed that the
Emperor NICHOLAS might consent to evaeute the Principalities ; that
he might refuse ; or that, expressing his intention to withdraw, he
might demand explanations as to what would be done relative to the
war, and the opening of negotiations for peace. These probable
answers were all considered, and a decision taken on the course to be
pursued by the German Courts whichever might be adopted. As the
result of this Conference, special missions, it. is reported, were
despatched to St. Petersburg to renew the offer of the mediation
of the Cabinets of Vienna and Berlin to secure for Russia an
•
honourable peace.
In the Black Sea no operations seem to have been undertaken
by our fleet, but in the Baltic more damage has• been dote to Russian
ports, but not without serious loss on our side. At Gumla Kurleby,
in the Gulf of Bothnia, a detachment landed by the Vulture and. Odin
were attacked by sharpshooters in ambuscade and a masked battery,
and compelled to retreat with a loss of fifty-five in killed and missing.
The town of Tornea was taken possession of by Admiral PLUSIRTDOE
without opposition
,en the Bth .instant, and there was a talk that it
would be fortified as a British station.

especially a blockade of the White Saa,,nsid:dep/are•l •
that nothing but a strong pressure on all parts of the
Russian empire would brmg about a peace.
The Duke of NEWCASItE said that after recent
communication with the Exench Government it was '
probable that new decisiens would he taken with
respect to the blockade of the Rupstaiset.k4..... Thei
only hesitation bad been As to the injury to other
people. Every effort would be made to strike the
heaviest blow upon Russia in our power.
Lord BEAUMONT said that in consequence of our,
proceedings we had given an immense trade to
neutral vessels, and hereafter it would be difficuli'fb
recover it. All the injury Inflicted was on tlie
.t.rade
of this country. A complete blockade would remedi
this, in entirely supending the trade of Russia.
The Earl of ELLESMERE called attention to the
draught of water in the White Sea, and said that it
would be as easy to manage large vessels en the
Serpentine River.
The Earl of ABERDEEN (cave notice that on Monday
he would move for a copy of a despatch sent by him
on occasion of the treaty of Adrianople, and would
take the opportunity to remove certain grave ins
apprehensions which existed with respect to hie
conduct towards the Russian Government.
In answer to the Marquis of CLANRICARDE,
The Loan CusucEmon said that there vms Isto
intention to transfer the payment of certain Irish
law-officers from the consolidated fund to the annual
votes.
Some formal .business was transacted, and the
houso adjourned at half pest seven.

AN

. .
From the station of part of theallipd fleetxpff Velaingfors it seemed
probable that an htifickien,thatiperrt, 'and brilthe.Ruakian ships of war
protected by the batteries, was designed; but later accounts state
that Sir C. NAPIER with screw-ships *as about to advance towards
Cronstadt.r ••1 ,• •• • • • • • ' • . 17•1, •.1 I -Mar 0 • '
• : .The CliSpete •hetW,. OW Abe Cnban anthosiSies and the..4xnericau
Executive seems in fair 48411 ief settleentut., ireitty.ponglnded.la
Lord Ei.otx,, settling the long-agitated fishery question, and gaining
by concessions on that point some advantages for our commerce,
appears to have given general satiafeetion, ; • . .t., 0.1:1
At home the masterly apeech pf Lord. LYN DROIVII • has excited
universal admiration. It was a• Splendid 'Wort. In 'CieEiko's 1)e
Senectute there is no finer instance 'df isPetutd.biteffectiftil povi•ell sub-
sisting in advanced age. • The reply—if Itoa4l be so tattned,--4 Lord
ABERDEEN was even more hesitating in delivery than it reads in the
published report. Hisitiodation of Russian triottektionhas exerted a
profoundiinpressicin,and may perhaps leed• to results hh.did not anti-
cipate at the time: . Mr. LATAR.o.Jebt nvatting,•in• the- Comirtenei)gavo
notice that on Thursday next he shonld move a. resolution
..,`sl4hat the
" language held by the First Minister of the Crown was calculated to
" raise gray,cl doubts,* the public mind as to the objeeta.and ends of
" the war, and to lessen the prospects of an honourable aid •clurable
" peace " On the 'report of this notice reaching .Lerd'Atitiith:as he
rose in his place, and"stated that on 'Mbintay nekt—thus enticiAting
Mr. LAtAan--he should move for i copy of 'the despatch he • bud ad-
dressed to Russia after the treaty of Adrianople, and that ho would
take the opportunity of alluding.la the iiiiscenetruetiims *Mai had
been placed on the remarks he hadlreogritly addreiseditb their lord-
ships on the sitilject of. the war. Perhaps there was. ,mere. moaning in
Lord ABERDEEN'S speech than appeared on. the
..stuiiieet and hit might
intend to prepare e public mind for some new aspect of affium. The
position assumed by the German courts inust,short)l,y,;he.ppldWiive of
decisive results.
By the excitement in out Stook Market this44'cek; it con-
jectured that commercial nien eltronehtipen cif Abe .)*Pbody
cessation of hostilities. -A: rise of ,three!per 'ire Consols, with
heavy loans in the market, is a significant indication of public feeling.
There seems to be nuend of-Ministerial mortification in connec-
tion with the Oxford Bilk ~ The proceedings on Thursday night were
among the most singular of the.sessiou... Mei expediency of iv.q,liring
subscription to the Thirty its-nin at e Artieles tile co mm encement of a
course of UniierSity Study, instead of at c OS6,'wai bklight under
discussion by Mr. Heywoon's preposedt denser, Lord;l:TieEtn, p,VPIELL
argued strongly in favour of the clanse, but declared his intention of
voting against it, arid' hints were thrown out, not by h 1 onty,'but by
some of his colleagues, that the intiodUction of the elatuia-laight
cause the rejection of the bill iitthe:Loitls.- !The clause. howeicr, wits
carried by a majority of 91. On the second clause, abolishing sub-
scription previous to taking a• degree, being moved, the Ministerial
leader declared his intention of conceding it. Mr. WALPOLE, however,
showed that it vide )01001 Wag in thkeit•loperi,lthe University for pur-
poses of study, and another to allow Dissenters to take part in its
government. On his spirited declaration that he would divide the
Ilbune b 4) illid I cpteitioh if: hd Went hits l thellebbk alolieb l ord, Anti/
withdrew his declaration voted against the clause? and.by accident
found hiblielf ihis 'thine ' with the • indelorit)ii litel-e'it'phrithent of
attoMptitig ttn 410,113rni raga ifs. loft ii.139301,4".9-9ritY t4gißliiture
cannot, one prould,thipli, leet.intr.4,lOltifef- • • 1, -_,; t J
..Our Royal yisitor„the,young,iiing of Yortugal, hen 41,4441 tafeur-
able itePrV44)4444Ylis .ans*nr,lo, the Pty.. eAdrPea.! now Wee „pinfout%
at the bar of the House of Lords on Monday.liatening• to, tlio,npve444
,Ifordl.4l4lhMtrl,:tHe.,4Pe-410 . 4 Pr-infiPail.Euitiolic •1412g4ag68
well, and appears intelligent. WO t :MA; 4Pl9PR'4!4Oti
observhnt, ~ not .141, pr.,44 Age... jlis . mower, was „RarAiel pi e
bath, wore dresqed clothe , ,bAttimPd c100)1t rm4gitou
. fashion, tR the throat}. . . . • : Ill' II ;" i;

; , „i, .• :Am., 1
• HOUSE OF .CO*MW.—ininAx. •
Mr. LAYARa gave Optice than on Thurstlay no
would brittit'fbrwthtil irresolution declaring that the
language of the Prime Minister raised grave doubts
' ite to the object, end, and results of the war.
Lord J. RUSSELL would be ready on Thursday to
i4iscui4 914 sibleiti •,41)/t) aiirr
In answer to Sir J. Plikingn,
A.ord J. Raser4,l,,said *Wit .wpii the intention of
opyonmeßt, "Tpopod this session with the
!9•Ta!f-tAln: Pin' •
r .the 111100:41: fat' further i .coßsidering the Oxford
University Dill, the names of the Earl of Harrowby
W Mr. (4g4 Q. Lirtis,were innertitL
•iiialr.4daidr.siaanivetithe omission of the name of
Sir J. Coleridge, as. ah,ntltra High Churchman, and
unqualified approyer.pfl the writings of Dr. Newman.
kle nalie4, an the:•l4o Chtorli;,members of the
Cabinet ,tp show, mops rotißicttorthe known prin-
a;.L•gfel „ t
Mti,•w rioirroi* def .4jcoleridge, arguing
that Dr. Xewman had pa."o3a through many stages
1 0E401114 golt hia•lfiititoga• we,* characterised with
•ki *WAY+ 'Rid, theh tit, we* (mite competent to a
,041444 OFFAIPAIRf t4PfrPn?Ye Own.
MATlfpncoikcyll 4141 raising of personal
41/FAVOiclnibl AS,llO„f, nalf4i pulogium on Mr.
Justaiie.,9tati , • • • ;
.• Mr4tollasai, said that Sir 3, coleridge had made
„t4itebe ymcontihent, in his aprinal of Drs. Newman
and rusgy when they wirp condemned by the
authorities d OifOrd theniselies.