The Express.
London, England, 1855-08-30 00:00:00

TURKEY.

MAX OUR OFICIAL OORRISPONDENT.)
CONSTANTINOPLE, Auouer 20.
By the last accounts which have been received hers
from Trebizond, Brum= had not yet been attacked,
though a report to that effect had been current here
for some days previously, but a strong force of the
Bunions, under General Soussoff, had advanced to a
mountain pass within three hours (nine miles) of the
town, where an assault had been prepared for and was
daily expected. This hostile column was uid to be
accompanied by a large number of the Kurdish Buhl-
Basonks who deserted from the Turks some mouths
ago, and these were now committieg every possible out-
rage throughout the surrounding villages. So effec-
tually was the blockade of Kars maintained that it
was only by the most roundabout and difficult moun-
tain by-paths that communication could be kept up
between it and Erzeroum ; and even by these routes
couriers frequently failed to elude the enemy's cordon.
A letter a hich I have seen from Kars, dated on the
Ist instant, mentions that the whole country for
many miles round had been devastated by the Rus-
sian irregulars, who have left food for neither man
nor beast within reach of the blockaded inhabitants.
To make the most of the two months' provisions,
however, which had been laid in, every person inca-
pable of aiding in the defence of the town had been
ordered to leave ; and in consequence of this crowds
of helpless women and children were being driven
forth, to find, as best they might, shelter and support
elsewhere.

This critical condition of affairs in Asia has at
length induced the Porte to withdraw the whole of
its forces from the Crimea, both from Eupatoria
and from before Sebastopol, and despatch
them without delay to the neighbourhood
of Trebizond. To these will be added a
large draft from Ismail Pacha's army on the Danube,
the whole to be under the command of Omer Pacha,
who leaves Constantinople in a day or two for
Batonm. Abdi Pacha has already gone to Varna, to
superintend the embarkation of the seventeen batta-
lions of infantry and two regiments of cavalry to be
taken from the Danubian force; and Ahmed Pacha
has sailed for Eapatoria to discharge a similar duty
with reference to the troops occupying that point. In
my last letter I mentioned that 10,000 men of the
Turkish Contingent had received orders to proceed
to Shumla, but since then these more recent arrange-
ments on the part of the Porte have led to their des-
tination being changed to Eupatoria, whither they
are to be conveyed during the course of the present
week. Speaking of the Contingent, I may add men-
tion of a robbery committed last week on the
paymaster of the force, resident at fluytik-
dere. The thief was an English servant,
who, in the temporary absence of his master,
broke open the pay box, and decamped with
1,6001. The robbery was soon after divcovered, and
a brisk search made after the culprit, which resulted
in his capture, but not in the recovery of any por-
tion of the abstracted cash. Within the last 10 days
similar robberies, to a smaller extent, have been com-
mitted on individual vfficers of this force, also by
English servant'', and in two of the cases the offendei
have been condemned respectively to 18 months' and
two years' confinement in the Turkish prison. Con-
sidering the really terrible severity of this punish-
ment—the filth of the place being of the last degree,
and the rations of the prisoners a scanty allowance of
black bread and water—the thieves will have paid
dearly for their gains, and have experienced the dif-
ference between the Bagnio at Fez-bane and the
comfortable accommodations provided for evil-doers

at Newgate.
Lord Stratford embarks to-day on board the
Telegraph for Balaklava, accompanied by a nu-
merous suite, to convey to the ottcers selected
for the honour the insignia of the Order of the
Bath. The cabin of the steamer has been appropriately
fitted up for the ceremony of investiture, which will
take place on board, and not at bead-quarters, as
might rather have been expected. It is much to be
hoped that the events which have enlivened the
course of things in the Crimea during the past week
may lead to a decision in favour of prompt action on
our part before his lordship returns—capable, as his
excellency is, of offering common-sense advice to
chiefs in whose minds this rather uncommon quality
appears to be overridden and silenced by the leaden
suggestions of military caution and routine. So far
as our general officers go, their title to C.B.'s and
H.C.B.'s must be considered prospective rather than
actual—a consciousness of which, let us trust, may
induce them to do something soon to wipe off this
balance per contra which they draw upon the future
in accepting the blue ribands to be given them by the
Ambassador.

CUSTOMS TARIFFS OF BELGIUM AND SPAIN.

The Belgian Moniteur publishes a decree from the
King, nominating a commission to prepare the revision of
the present commercial code in that country. It is to be
divided auto two sections—one to sit at Antwerp, and the
other at Brussel.. . . . .

The Spanish New Tariff Board has appointed six
committees, of three members each, to examine and re-
port on different sections of the tariff. Ts the first
is committed the charge of reporting on the fit-
ears of modifying or retaining the present duties on
iron and steel goods, machinery, &c. To the second, those
on sugar, tea, salt fish, bides, and staves. The third com-
mittee is to report respecting the duties on a large number
of articles, as made-up clothes, wax, guano, gt.tta perch.,
earthenware, woods of all kinds, glue, 8&o. The fourth, on
hemp, wonted, wool, flex, silk, and on linen, woollen, and
silk goods. The fifth will have to report on the fitness of
altering the present duties on cotton wool and the special
tariff on cotton goods. The task of the sixth committee
will be to report as regards the dutite on sulphur, bran,
copper and sine, paper, chymical products, writing and
printing ink, to.

VISIT OF GBNERAL PBNNEFATBER TO
HALIFAX

The "good old town" of Halifax was on Tuesday
the scene of pleasurable excitement, occasioned by the
arrival there, for a short enjoarn, of 0 I Pennerather,
whose gallantry in the entries has spread his reputation
through England. Tbc general'. intention of visiting Ha-
lifax was rumoured on Monday, but it was not known on
what day he might be expected. No preparations were,
therefore, made for his arrival until noon yesterday, when
it became known that he would arrive during the cay, and
a large number of the populace awaited his arrival at the
station to welcome him. A display was hastily resolved
upon, end such hasty arrangements were made as so abort a
time would allow of. The general came to the railway sta-
tion at fire o'clock, and he was there received by the wor-
shipful the Mayor, the corporation, magistracy, police, the
Heide: squadron of toe Second West York Yeomanry
Cavalry, under the command of Colonel Kllard,
accompanied by their band, and attended by a
numerous company of the clergy and gentry of
Halifax. Oa the arrival of the train, the general
alighted, and was received with loud and repeated shouts
hy tie immense c.ncourse of spectators who crowded
the station. General Pennefather eapreased his olebgations
for the compliment which had been pain to him. He would
accept this kind exhibition of feeling on behalf of the
British army in the Crimea. The army felt no gratification
elf much as that experienced by en assurance that a feeling
of sympathy was manifested towards them by their country-
men. (Cheers.) Let them not fancy that the kiritish army
were suffering so much as some people imagined. War
must always he attended with suffering, hardship, and
calamity ; but he assured them that the II • • b army had
been in that state that he had seam it represented in
some quarters. (Hear, bear.) The arm, bore what fell to
their lot with the greatest fortitude ; and be
life remembered hearing a soldier grumble. (Loud cheer-
ing.) The general concluded by ezpreining his gratification
at the kind feeling exhibited toward. himself. The gallant
general was then conducted to a carriage, which was drawn
principal ',tents. The
by four grey bones, and • procession was brand and moved
cuegrhwtashemoet entbusiastin—Man-
on, whilst the band played the " Sea the conquering
hero comes." The cavalry acted as a guard of honour, and
chuarfineecorptadtioGntwrohletthhireanga.llalatthorffio

The daughter of a poor couple living at the remote
village of Begcot, in Buckinghamshire, hes for some years
lived la the family of the examprsu of Russia as cook.
Wm reports to her perish that the hem as earellent eimatioa.