The Press.
London, England, 1854-07-15 00:00:00

660

THE WEEK.

ANOTHZR sudden and unexpected change has taken place in the
aspect of the war in the East. The diplomatists of the Russian and
German Courts are actively endeavouring to find some basis for a
pacific settlement. The attitude of Austria is much less decided
than it was supposed to be a fortnight back : her armies halt on the fron •
tier. Prussia remonstrates against the execution of the Austro-Turkish
convention, and for the present there is no longer a question of
Austrian troops entering the Principalities. On the other hand, the
retreat of the Russians from Wallachia is stopped : the Russian
generals and troops seem to have regained courage, and they appear
to be preparing once more to contest with the Turkish army the line
of the Danube, though the Ottoman combatants are being reinforced
by the allied troops. Some accounts represent this Russian move-
ment as made in anticipation of Austrian hostilities, but more pro-
bably it may be strategically designed to draw the allies from Varna,
whence an expedition against the Crimea could be most conveniently
undertaken. If the land forces of the allies are separated from the
fleets, Russia would be relieved from the fear of an invasion of her
territory. If this be the policy of Prince GORTSCRAKOFF, it has already
to some extent succeeded : 15,000 of the allies have advanced
to Rutschuk, and a large Turkish force has crossed the river to the
opposite position of Giurgevo. Here a smart action seems to have
been fought, the Turks, with a superior force, surrounding General
Summon% The only details given are that the Russians " cut their
" way through " after a combat of nine hours, with a heavy loss of
killed and wounded, and retired on Bucharest. The Turks have
crossed also at Oltenitza, and taken some of the old Russian positions
on the loft bank of the Danube : to meet them two separate
detachments of Russians of 30,000 each are advancing from Bucharest.
We shall probably soon hear that the allied forces have crossed the
Danube : in that case, the Russian advance might again be changed
to retreat, and, while the allies were drawn far into the principalities,
Russia might fulfil what some days back seemed to be her intention,
of making the line of the Sereth, instead of the Danube, the base of
her operations. The English Commissariat is reported to be break-
ing down, and, if the troops entered the exhausted districts of the
principalities, they might have to contend not only with the enemy,
but with short supplies, and possibly with sickness.
Such speculations must as yet be merely conjectural, but it would
appear that the allies would disadvantageously exchange their posi-
tion at Varna for the centre of the Wallachian territory. Both the
French and English forces continue to be increased by reinforce-
ments. The last intelligence of the Black Sea fleets is that they were
sighted, fifty-eight sail, steering direct for Sebastopol, but no hint is
given that any active operations were intended.
The Czar's reply to the German Courts is still kept secret. In
the opinion of Prussia certainly—and in the opinion of Austria pro
bably—it offers a basis for pacific negotiations, and it is positively
announced that Colonel MANTEUFFEL has left Berlin on a mission to
our Government. As the German Courts are bent on the mainte
name of the states quo auto, and as Russia professes to desire no
more, it appears extremely improbable that there will be any collision
between them. Even Austria, whose activity was most to be expected,
must look with great suspicion on certain proceedings in this country
and on the tone of a portion of our press. Rossetti is enthusiastically
received at crowded meetings, and continues incessantly to repeat that
it is the interest of England to ally herself with " oppressed nationali-
ties against despotic governments," and to proclaim that Sebastopol is
to be taken at Warsaw, and the integrity of the Turkish empire to
be secured in Hungary. Austria may arm and negotiate, but we must
not delude ourselves with the hope that she will cordially take part
with the allies while Kosstrru has a following here, and the French
Emperor reminds the troops he destines for the Baltic of the glories
of Austerlitz.
Sir CHARLES NAPIER, with the Baltic fleet, arrived within eightmiles
of Cronstadt on the 28th of June, and several accounts concur in
stating that the signal ran through the fleet, " Prepare for action."
The men accordingly put on their fighting•dresses and looked to their
arms, but, instead of proceeding to attack, the fleet came to anchor,
waited for ten or twelve days, sending forth small steamers to recon-
noitre, and then returned to its former anchorage at Baro Sund.
The destination of the French force reviewed by the Emperor at
Boulogne now excites lively speculation. The force will consist
altogether of 25,000 or 30,000 men. The first brigade, of about
10,000, was to embark on Thursday from Calais, but its departure has
been countermanded to the 20th. Four English and four French
ships-of-the-line, with many smaller vessels, are provided to convey
this force to the Baltic. It will depart with sealed instructions.
Military strategists are of opinion that an attempt will be made by the
fleet to destroy the fortifications of some advanced post at Cronstadt
or elsewhere, and that the troops will then take possession of it, and
make .it a base for conducting further operations against the enemy.
The time for action is now, however, getting short; but the despatch
of this force to the Baltic, and the strong reinforcements sent to the
East, argue either a determination to make some attempt against
Russia promptly, or to cloak latent designs and secret negotiations.

In our Legislature more Government bills have been withdrawn,
and there have been further displays of that radical opposition of
sentiment among the Ministry which renders it impossible for them
to carry measures, however salutary or essential.
One failure countenances another. Because the Testamentary
Jurisdiction Bill is withdrawn in the Commons, the Matrimonial
Divorce Bill is withdrawn in the Lords. The withdrawal of the Irish