The Press.
London, England, 1856-02-02 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

distance in advance towards the position of the Russian
sentries. A French sentry, who had called in vain, at last
hit upon the expedient of discharging his musket to at tract
their attention, and fired over their heads. This roused
them quickly enough, and, on looking round, they dis-
covered a group of three or four Russians, partly concealed
and apparently awaiting their near approach, among some
rushes at the opposite edge of the river. They at once
turned back toward the French lines, and regained them,
not without some risk, for the Russian shots grooved up the
ground about them near enough to prove the necessity of
the sentry's warning. The Russian sharpshooters line the
whole length of the Tschernaya on the north aide, and
omit no opportunity of firing a shot at a casual straggler.—
Times cor., Jan. 14.

Letters from Kertch up to the Bth bring intelli-
gence that a thaw had set in, and the ice had began
to break up :

There had been frequent reports of a Russian attack,
and on Christmaaday, U.S. (Sunday, January 6), the
troops were under arms before daybreak. No enemy ap-
peared, and they returned to their quarters, but were dis-
turbed and turned out, while church service was perform-
ing, by the appearance of the Cossacks, who hover about
the neighbourhood, burning what little there remains to
destroy. It was reported at Kertch that Lord Pam-Imre
had sent General Vivian information of an intended
attack. Be that as it may, it is believed that an attack is
hardly possible now that the thaw has come, for the Rus-
sians could not move their artillery. The lines and fortifi-
cations of Kertch advance rapidly towards completion, and
are represented to be very strong and to afford an abun-
dant guarantee against the success of an attack upon the
place. At Yenikale the English officers were struggling
against the weariness of winter quarters. Private theatri-
cals were getting up, and coursing was the fashionable
sport of the day. Hares were at first very numerous,
but their numbers were diminishing, owing to English
greyhounds and Tartar guns, and a bare was worth Os. in
the Kertch market.—Times cur., Jan. 14.
THE WAR IN ASIA.

Omer Pacha, who was on the Bth ult. at Soulthum-
Kaleh, it was generally expected would, as soon as
the weather permitted, take command of the force
now collecting at Trebizond and march direct on
Erzeroum. At Trebizond strong bodies of troops
were being daily landed from Eupatoria and Con-
stantinople, but the men are reported to be in a
wretched condition, and at present to be physically
unfit to undergo fatigue. Despatches via Marseilles

Omer Pacha will soon disembark at Trebizond ; and so
soon a the weather shall have improved he will march
upon Erzeroum.
Moukli ruche has been despatched to organise the de-
fence of the latter place, where 90,000 men are now con•
c( ntrated.

General Williams has set out for Moscow, where he will
remain a prisoner.

THE MARQUIS DE LAROCHEJAQUELIN has just pub-
lished a pamphlet in Paris, "The Question of the
Day," demonstrating the necessity of peace on four
grounds The object of the war—the protection
of the Ottoman empire—is attained. 1!. The con
tinuation of the war will have no other result than
to serve the personal interests of England. 3. Eng•
land wishes to achieve the complete destruction of
the Russian navy ; but that is not the interest of
France, for the latter may one day need the co-
operation of the Russian fleet. 4. Russia ought to
be allowed to develop her power freely in Asia.
THE DISSOLUTION OF THE POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL
IN PARIS is said to be decided on. The well-known
Republican character of the students, their marked
misconduct at the late entry of the Imperial Guard
into Paris, and their vexatious interference with M.
Nisard, has, it is reported, determined the Emperor
to suppress them. Their silence was so marked on
the occasion of the Guards' return as to excite the
surprise of the Empress, to whom one of her ladies
is said to have observed, contrasting the enthusiasm
of the pupils of St. Cyr:—"Que votre Majeste n'y
fasse pas attention. Les Polytechniques ne sont pas
des efficiers ; ce ne sont que des architectes! Voile
nos St. Cytiens ; ce sont eux, apres tout, qui emu-
mandetont les grog bataillons."

A LEGITIIIIST LADY OF HIGH RANK IN PARIS,
Mme. de was lately presented with a crown
offieurs de lit by her partisans fur an act of great
darinz. M. de having had occasion to seek an
interview with the Emperor, was so won over that an
invitation to the Imperial table was at once accepted.
Madame being of a more inflexible nature, upon
discerning the intentions of her husband, waited
patiently for the evening, and, while M. de B— was
preparing his toilette, locked him safely in his
dressing-room till all danger of his sacrificing his
principles by eating an imperial dinner Was at an end.
THE GOVERNOR OF MALTA decided last week upon
taking the case of the military who attempted the
rescue of their two officers from the police, out of the
hands of the civil authorities, and trying the offenders
by court-martial. Lieutenants Hudson and Mont-
wintery have bern found guilty by the Civil Court,
and sentenced to a line and three months' imprison-
ment. in gaol.
THE SESSION OF THE FRENCH LEGISLATIVE CORPS
will probably open on the '!sth of next month.

SATURDAY,

prtigit 6oruspontatt.

FRANKFORT, Jan. 20.
" THE Guards of the King of Prussia aro more than
a match for the army of England." A Prussian
Minister, with or without the sanction of his Govern-
ment, thus expressed himself at the present con.junc-
tare. Whether this was hilariously enunciated upon
the strength of the supposed "rapprochement" to
the Court of Berlin by the Prince Royal, is not
stated. But it was said without disguise. Looking
at the situation which Prussia holds at the present
crisis, the observation might have been omitted with.
out disadvantage to the Prussian Government. That
country cannot afford to take liberties with England.
The Gazette de Silesie observes :

There is an affectation in the pretence of disputing the
point whether Prussia shall or shall not be admitted to the
conferences for peace. The interests of Prussia are not
involved in the neutralisation of the Bleck Sea. or in the

demolition of Russian fortresses and arsenale.--"fhoseill
terests demand peace, without reference to the conditions,
be they what they may, so that end be really obtained.

This is a short demand for the "rem quocunque
modo," irrespective and careless of the price that
Russia may pay. Well may the Cabinet of St.
Petersburg exclaim, " Preserve me from my friends."
And the Berlin journal proceeds to take higher
ground :

Prussia will wait to see whether the allies will dare to
settle the political questions of the day without the consent
of Prussia cud Germany.

" Exclure la Prussic, c'est exclure l'Allemagne."
The imperial diadem is not forgotten. Under the
smart of consequences attendant upon misconduct,
a virulence of expression is adopted at variance with
an affected neutrality, and in disadvantageous con-
trast to the more dignified language of the Russian
organs.

The Journal de Frankfort denies the arrogant pre-
tension of Prussia to be considered the representa-
tive of Germany, and censures that Government for
not having accepted the propositions of Vienna,
whereby a right would have been gained to assist at
the European conferences, which is now palpably
forfeited, and dependent only on the will of England
and France. " But," continues the Journal de
Frankfort, " those propositions are, in truth, a
stumbling-block to Prussia. They ale precisely that
which she most fears. That Government has never
doubted for a moment of the ultimate triumph of
Russian armies over the allied troops, and has never
ceased to hope that once again, in joyful revenge,
qu'une loin plus, la Prusse, la Russie, et l'Allemagne
se tourneraient ensemble contre la France.'" The
truth is out at last. Every one is reminded by this
plenary confession, tardy and criminatory, of the ola
saying in allusion to a quarrel amongst mortals of in-
visible virtue. The Journal de Frankfort having once be-
trayed the confidence of 31. Bismarck-Schouhausen,
thus admonishes him, without coin fliment or cere-
mony," Germany contemns the counsels of Prussia."
Austria affects to reprehend Prussia for its indi'-
creet avowal of aversion to France, yet approves of
her expressed animosity to England, and points out
the duty of taking part against the policy " brutale"
(sic) of the " interets Britanniques." The Gazette
Autrichienne, the Court paper, ;:s foremost in the
attaA:k:—

All the world understands the pleasure with which Eng-
land contemplates a continuance of the war. Intense
egotism renders her blind, but the brutal tone of the
Times will fail to make Anapa another Troy. Russia
having accepted the four points, the fifth loses all value (a
perdu toute signification), and France has no interest in
consolidating the power of England in Asia.
Seventeen days ago this official Gazette of Vienna
insisted that Russia should be driven from Europe
to the wilds of Asia, from whence, in ignoriuice, it
asserted that its old friend in Hungarian need had
originally emerged.
The Ost Deutsche Post remarks i❑ a kindred
spirit :
Nations and Governments at the eve of their fall have
always friends ready to precipitate their ruin. Thus it is with
England. She has lost bee prestige ; her power is failing,
and the public press cheers her onward to destruction.
Her faithlessness (manque de toi ), in the construction put
upon the fifth point, will cause all Europe to rise aga.ust
her with the same energy, " armee I la mama" (sic) With
which she combated Russia; and that great power at
whose feet Russia has laid down her arms well knows how
to compel England to bow in submission (saura Lien
f.rcer lisle Britannique a se courber le front).
Our gallant ally is not to be cajoled after this
fashion, and the Times will also well know how to
measure out its grain in dealing with Austrian hom•
bast of this nature. In one word, Prussia, Germany,
and Austria, are exciting the Continent by every
means, foul and false, against England; and the
weapons used are worthy of the cause,

I 1

FEBRUARY 2, 1856.

Russia preserves firmness and dignity. The
Cabinet of St. Petersburg declares that, "yielding
to the desires of Europe, it accepts the propositions
submitted as a basis for peace," and calls upon the
entire Continent "to bear witness to the energetic
attitude displayed in defence of national honour in
front of a formidable coalition. Having maintained
honour and dignity intact, the Imperial Govern
ment is anxious to prove the sincerity of her wish in
stopping a further effusion of blood. Il est en
droit d'attendre que l'opinion de tons les pays civi-
lizes lui en tienne compte." As a brave enemy,
Russia has a right to a respect summarily withheld
from unworthy neutrals. It is to be hoped that the
peaca about to be concluded with Russia will be
with open hand, and in mutual confidence. Neither
will England ever permit the position of that country
to be depressed in favour of Germany and Austria
without joining in the struggle as her ally.
J. E. L.

SIENA, Dec. 28.
WHAT is to become of Italy ? In the ensuing con-
ferences, wherever they may be held, the affairs of
the Italian peninsula cannot be legitimately dis-
cussed. In strict propriety, the Oriental question
alone should form the subject of deliberation, but
the mission of General Canrobert and the treaty of
Sweden give a Northern aspect to affairs ; and Prus-
sia may, by logical ingenuity, torture the circum-
stance into a pretence for interference which must
lead to a general congress. In fact, the elasticity of
the fifth point, if used against the allies, may com-
prehend every political combination in Europe. It
is perfectly understood that the southern kingdoms
of Italy are in a state of complete disorganisation.
Rome and Naples are controlled and kept in awe by
bands of brigands. Bologna is beset by a Capo
brigante with his gang, even unto the gates—the
police are disgracefully ineffective—whilst in the
Southern Apennines the bandits are in feud in the
cause and for the honour of the Pope and Bombe.
The Roman bravos exalt the supremacy of the
"Sommo Pontefice" over the "Re assoluto" of
Naples, and the Neapolitan assassins, in spite of the
Jesuits, their absolving confessors, hold to the august
attributes of the Bourbon lazzaroni—and they fight,

which is more than the troops can do. Such
grading state of affairs can never be permitted with
impunity ; yet with the existing powers and the pre-
sent parties, Jesuit, ultramontane, despotic, constitu-
tional, republican, and Bonapartist, no lasting
settlement can be made. Neither Governments nor
parties have any stability or common mode of action.
Sardinia is a real nucleus of a future and regenerated
Italy. That country has fought its way to inde-
pendence, and has gained the honour and good will
of England and France. For the opinion of other
powers there is little care.
Public attention is eagerly directed to the English
House of Commons. Should the conferences be
held in the neighbourhood of England, a watchful
control will be exercised by Parliament over the dis-
cussions. Never was there a time when the House
of Commons was armed with such power as at this
moment. It is felt throughout the Continent, and is
acknowledged in this Jesuit and priest-ridden country
with gratitude and as a " Providence " for Italy.
Great ignorance exists, however, as to the state of
English politics and parties. There are only five
public names, as it were, known to the Italians—
those of Lords Derby and Stanley, Mr. Disraeli, and
Lords Palmerston and Clarendon. It is but justice
to state that Lord Palmerston alone, in the opinion of
foreigners, constitutes the Ministry. His " helps "
are unknown, and their worthlessness borders on the
ridiculous. It is impossible that the country •can
longer permit this loss of governmental reputation.
The Italians, mystified by the division and subdivi-
sion of political cliques, have grouped them into two
parties, " Sciocchi " and " Stentlardi." By the first
are designated the Whigs, Radicals, Peelites, and
Manchester men ; and the second applies to the
Conservatives. The word is complimentary and sig•
mficative, meaning the standards or bannerets o 7
patriotism, in distinction to the Whig-Liberals by
whom they were deceived in 1815 20-30-48. Never
was Mazzinian republicanism at a lower ebb. Many
are joining the Anglo-Italian army, for, notwith
stranding the prospects of peace, fresh recruits pour
in daily. _ .

M. T. A.

THE LOMBARD AND VENETIAN BISHOPS refuse to
withdraw their decrees against the liberty of the
Tress. The Austrian Minister of Public Instruction
insists, but the bishops are tenacious, and the first
result of the Concordat will be speedily shown in a
serious dispute between the temporal and ecclesias-
tical powers. So little do the clergy heed the inter-
ference of the Government, that in Lombardy they
have already called upon the authorities to restore
to the Church all buildings added to the domain of
the State by the secularisation of convents and the
suppression of the Jeuttits,

THE PRESS.

foreign anb ltolanial intelligence.

FRANCE.

The certainty that the conferee es will be held
at Paris has checked further speculation upon that
point. The concession of Russia to this proposal
was communicated to Paris on Saturday by the
following telegraphic despatch from Vienna:—

Vienna, Saturday, Jan. 2U, one p.m.
Russia proposes that the preliminaries of peace shall be
signed at Paris. _ . . •

She also expresses a strong desire to conclude peace as
speedily as possible.

The Emperor Napoleon has ordered apartments
to he prepared for the reception of the diplomatists
at the Elysee.

The Constitutiontul states that the conferences
will probably open some time between the 20th and
25th of next month, and that the " signature " of the
preliminaries will not take place until the Congress
has met, when an armistice will immediately follow.
The Debats of the 28th contains an article upon the
possible complications likely to arise from the
"reserved rights " of the allies included in the fifth
point, suggesting that if Russia were compelled to
cede the question of fortifying Bomersund, she
would demand a similar concession from England in
the case of Heligoland, and a limitation to her ships
in the Baltic.
Count Buol and M. Hubner are mentioned as the
representatives of Austria, M. Walewski of France,
Lord Clarendon of England, Count Orloff and
Baron Brunow of Russia ; the Turkish Minister at
Paris and Fuad Effendi for Turkey, and M.
d'Azeglio for Sardinia:—
M. d'Azeglio (says the Conslitutionnen will represent
the Court of Tutin in this congress, where the place
of Sardinia is marked out, although she will not
figure in exactly the same position as the remaining
allies of Turkey. Although called upon to sign a defi-
nitive treaty of peace as a belligerent power, Piedmont will
not participate in debates which do not touch either
directly or indirectly her interests.

The Siècle still obstinately continues to deny that
the object of the war has been attained in the mere
preservation of Turkey, or that peace will result from
the approaching Congress.

AUSTRIA.

A telegraphic despatch from Vienna of Wednes-
day announces that :
The Austrian Government, acting in the interest of
Germany, will immediately lay the Esterhazy proposi•
tions before the Frankfort Diet, and propose their Alleial
recognition as preliminaries of peace, with a view to obtain
a representation of Germany in the Congress.

These propositions, telegraphed by Count Ester-
hazy and Count Nesselrode, arrived at Vienna on the
24th, and copies were at once forwarded to London
and Paris. _

The Ost Deutsche Post of the 26th contained a
short semi-official leading article upon the subject,
giving the view which the Austrian Government
takes of the obligations incurred by England, and
affirming that the signature of the preliminaries
cannot be deferred, as the honour of France and
England are engaged:—

Questions relative to interests may be settled at some
future time, but matters of honour admit of no delay. It
may he a matter of opinion whether Lord Palmerston in
his policy likes straight or crooked paths, but no one dare
doubt that England's First Minister is a gentleman who
will pay his bill when due.

The tone of both the Oat Deutsche Pcst and the
(Esterreichische Zeitung has been remarkably hos-
tile to the English Ministerial papers.

PRUSSIA.

The admission of Prussia to the conference is the
leading subject of discussion at Berlin. The official
joarnal states that her participation in the negotia-
tions is certain, but does not define the extent of her
share in the proceedings. France, it is further stated,
has dropped all objection," though England continues
to raise the same difficulties as before." The Morning
Post of Wednesday authoritatively denied this state-
ment, and declared that Prussia would not be ad-
mitted to the conferences :

Prussia, (said the Toss), having taken no part in the war,
and having no recognised dais/ as a mediator, must be
content to see the other powers of Europe ignore an in-
fluence which she has allowed to lie dormant, good offices
which she has never exercised, and a position in Europe
as a first-rate power which Prussia herself has voluntarily
abandoned.

The Post, however, admitted that should a treaty of
peace be concluded, it was possible that Prussia
might bo invited to give her signature to the docu•
went.
RUSSIA.
The Indipendance Belye publishes the text of the
despatch addressed by Count Nesselrode to Prince
Gortschakoff, the Russian Ambassador at Vienne,
when the counter-propositions were offered, by
which the Russian Government first replied to the
proposals presented by Count Valentine Esterhazy.
Count Nesselrode explains the reasons why the
fifth point was not acceptable first, on the ground

105

of its vagueness, which might lead to all sorts of un-
foreseen complications ; secondly, on the grounds
that if the ccnditions the allies held in reserve were
of interest to European order they ought t..) be ex-
amined by a European congress, and not at con.
ferences at which a few powers only would be
represented.
TURKEY AND THE PRINCIPALITIES.

The news that Russia had accepted the Austrian
propositions was officially intimated to the Porte on
the 19th ult., by Baron Prokesch. The intelligence
caused a great sensation.
The conferences upon the reorganisation of the
principalities continued. Upon the question of the
future government of the principalities, Lord Strat-
ford de Radcliffe had applied home for further in-
structions.