The Press.
London, England, 1857-02-21 00:00:00

THE WEEK.

Our Eastern " difficulties " continue to increase in magnitude
and perplexity. Both in China and Persia hostilities were resorted to
before the effects of negotiation had been fairly tried, and, as the
natural result, we are now involved in war with both countries, while
the public is amused on the one hand with pretences that the Persian
Envoy has arrived with full powers for the settlement of the differences
with his Court, and on the other that the Canton authorities would
yield to the demands of our officials in China.
FERoux KHAN, the Persian Envoy, who was expected to arrive in
London this week, has postponed, if not relinquished, his intention of
visiting our Court. He left Teheran on his pacific mission before the
capture of Bushire by a British force; and that act of hostility has so
altered the whole complexion of the case, that he has, we have reason
to believe, received instructions from his Government which will
modify, if not neutralise, the contemplated arrangements. Mean-
while our operations against Persia are gradually assuming a scale of
great magnitude. The port and town of Bushire are occupied by
our forces, as if permanent possession were intended. A church has
been built, schools have been established, and a racecourse opened. A
pack of fox-hounds is alone required to render English occupation
complete. We have no further accounts of proceedings on the side of
Affghanistan, though the communications with Don. MOHAMMED and
the collection of troops on the Affghan frontier indicate that au
attempt may not improbably be made to march against Herat by Can-
dahar or Cabul. _ _

In the event of continued hostilities with Persia, the attitude of
the Russian Government will become a matter of grave importance.
The exact relations of that Government with the Court of Teheran
are not precisely known. Lord PALMERSTON in the House on Thurs-
day evening said that he knew nothing of the secret treaty concluded
between Persia and Russia on the sth of January, by which
Russia has obtained an important cession of territory com-
manding the road to Erzeroum, on which a line of
frontier fortresses is at once to be constructed. But the Noble
Viscount's memory•, in all that relates to secret treaties, is so con-
veniently short that his ignorance on the present occasion
need excite no surprise. From the interviews which have recently
taken place between General CHRULEFF, the commander of the Russian
forces on the northern frontier of Persia, and a Persian envoy,
it appears probable that our occupation of the frontier provinces
of Persia by Russian troops may take place, on the plea of
internal disturbances in the Persian kingdom. The general
policy of Russia may probably be to occupy portions of the Persian
territory much more than equivalent to any occupation by British
forces on the side of the Persian Gulf; and, in this manner,
supposing the British war to last for any considerable time,
the Persian kingdom may in the end be dismembered.
With respect to China there is little to communicate. The position
of affairs up to the 31st of December had not improved. The Cantonese
remain sullen, but warlike; and we can neither advance nor retreat.
Indeed our position was becoming critical The Canton river swarmed
with war junks, which rendered the passage of the river, except under
convoy of a man-of-war, highly dangerous. The Chinese of Hong Kong
were exhibiting signs of insubordination ; and so great was the fear
that an attempt would be made to burn down the Hong Kong factories
that the French Admiral was requested to land a strong force of
seamen and marines for their protection. For the rest, Sir MICHAEL
SEymoutt waits for troops from India to attempt the capture of Canton ;
and the public in England are as eagerly anticipating the debate next
week upon the motion brought forward by the Earl of DERBY, with the
view of getting at some information upon the real cause and origin of
these most untoward hostilities.

The financial debate on Mr. DisaaELfs resolution opened last night
with great spirit. The Right Hon. Gentleman showed that the finan-
cial scheme of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was utterly delusive
—that if acted on it must involve an annual deficiency of five millions
in the two years following the one for which provision is made, and
would certainly perpetuate the Income Tax. He advocated generally
a return to the financial arrangements and expenditure of the year 1853.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER scarcely attempted to grapple with
Mr. Disaarm's facts and reasoning. He urged that it was his pro-
vince only to look to the ensuing year; but of this excuse he had
obviously deprived himself by arranging certain schedules of taxation,
as income tax, and tea and sugar duties, for three years. Mr. GLAD-
STONE gaVC his uncompromising support to Mr. DISRAELI'S resolution,
and devlared his intention of using every means in his power
to restore the arrangements of 1853. Mr. LUNG also warmly
supported Mr. DISRAELI'S resolution. Mr. Witsos had no better
argument to use in reply to the evidence of a certain deficiency
in future years, than that the military and naval estimates might then
be reduced. This is cne very important point for the House to consider.
If those estimates are to be reduced in future years, nothing can be
more impolitic than to fix them on the extravagant scale proposed by
the Government. A system of niggardly economy will be introduced,
which must impair the efficiency of our armed establishments.
Better a thousand times that they should at once be placed on a per-
manent footing than that they should hereafter be subject to grinding
reductions The progress of the debate will be watched with intense
anxiety, for rarely has there been a discussion in which more important
principles were involved.

We have great satisfaction in stating that Mr. MILLER, the Con-
servative candidate for Colchester, has had a most successful canvass.
The intelligence with which ne has enunciated his views, and the
honest independence he has displayed, has won him golden opinions.
Mt. Crortoos Br now, on this occasion the representative of the Liberal