The Express.
London, England, 1853-05-31 00:00:00

RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

The Earl of 11ARDIVICKE regretted that the noble
ctrl the eteeretary for Foreign Affairs was not in his place
as he had given him notice of a question which he intended
putting to Lim, but seeing the prime minister in his place,
be would not scruple to put b:s question to him,
in consequence of the great importance of the
subject. 'the ether evening he expressed his anxiety
as to tote state and condition of the relations between
Russia and the Ottoman empire, and ventured to remark
that the course which had been usually taken upon diplo-
matic rotations having reference to Turkey had not been
followed by this country in the present instance, and that
we had not given that moral support to the feelings of the
Turkish people which we ought to have done. The ques-
tion ha wished to pat was whether instructions had been
sent-to the British admiral at Malta to hasten his departure
to the Dardanelles, or Constantinople, He was indsved to

put this question from the public having been informed
that on the evening of the 22nd of this month Prince
alencnikoff had taken his departure from Constsntinople,
not hiring achieved the object he had in view. That
seemed to him to bring the state of things to a critical
juncture, considering that the feelings of all parties in that
country had been raised to • high pitch of excitement in
consequenee of the hostile position which bad been taken,
and btlieving that nothing had been done is •
military point of view on the pert of any nation
hut France, the situation of Turkey was moat
critical. Looking also at the speed with which opera-
tions might be conducted by the Russian empire against
the 0 lumen Porte, it became important to be intoned of
the provsedings of her Majesty's government. In patting •
question of so much importance be was bound to state the
grosads of his apprehensions. It was only necessary I. look
at the 1131111110, in which information might be transmitted
and movements might be made to site in what a position the
iatiolle affairs of the different nations were now plaited. It
wee not at all improbable that on the evening of the 22nd,
Prince Menchikoll, seeing that his mission was at an end,
had despatched to his Emperor a courier, informing him of
who had taken place. If that was so, it was probable that on
that very day (yesterday) such courier would arrive at St.
I'etrvilsorg. Assuming that everything took place with des-
patch, the Emperor might immediately send to &tow
tope!, giving directions for any military movements which
he might resolve upon. Be took it that • messenger might
arrive there on the 6th of Jane. As Sebastopol was
three hundred mile, from Coastantinople—assaming
that there was a fleet there, and an army
ready fur action, and kneeing that the ordinary time in
wbieh ships might be transported to Constantinople would
be three days by steam power, and doable that time by
ogling scowls, he would give them twice that time, coast-
doting that they would have to embark troops and might
meet with various contingencies ; that being so, then, they
would reach the Bosphorus about the 12th of June. As-
suming on the other side that Admiral Dundee was at
Malta oa Saturday last, and that her Majesty's government,
seeing the dillkulty which was likely to take place, had
despatched immediaM infermation and orders to Admiral
Thindas, he might ttaaslre this tea Wednesday neat by te-
legraph. No thealit be maid be perfectly reedy for Na,
and not • miement would be last. He had six sail of the
line sad semi oreight stem yawls oft great power, aid if
he proceeded with wad le Commaiaeplo—the distance
being SOO statical misa—be terh It *at the steamers
would run tram Halts to Osantestiasple ha Mr days end a
half; be would the him doable that dam sad then it
was pourable tia he might he at the mouth of
the Disianelks on the 10th of Jun*. This.
adeslatieue were rely based on probabilities • but he wee
warranted is putting to the government • question whether
Mr had given any direeUess to Admiral Banda* es the
subject ?
The Earl of CLARENDON (who entered the house
whilst the Bail of Hardwicke was speaking) apologised for
sot having beet presest when the noble earl commenced
• spreth ; but be understood him to ask if orders had been
wet to Admiral Dumb@ to pronged from Malta to the Dar
dements. He was Bette sure, as their lordships had only on
Friday last offend to soarer in the propriety of the govern-
ment not entering late matters spat whisk they. were im-
perfectly informed. they would still awe be 'echoed to
coma with him when he declined altogether to state what
orders bad been given. (Hear, hoar.)