The Express.
London, England, 1867-12-20 00:00:00

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

The Avenir National says :
"From the moment of the second expedition to Rome
and more particularly since the commentary upon it of 81.
Rouher's ' never,' events have been hastening on in the
East of Europe. We were the first to announce the minis.
terial crisis in St. Petersburg and the possible advent of
General Ignatieff, the representative of a policy of action,
to the post occupied by Prince Gortchakoff, who held the
opinion that it was wiser to pursue for some time
longer the secret operations of Russia amongst the
Greek and Solave populations. It is certain that
the general has been ordered to St. Petersburg by

Alexander 11. We do not conclude from this that the
Milk may end in his triumph, for it is possible that Prince
Gortchakoff may adopt the ideas of the general and that
the latter may return to Constantinople. But in either
case Russia is about to abandon the policy of meditation
which she has followed for the last ten years. In doing
the business of the Pope-king our diplomacy and the Cheese-
pot have without knowing or wishing it, done the business
of the Emperor-Pope. The resumption of hostilities in Crete
is authenticated and there are reports—from a Greek
source it is true—that the insurgents have obtained
advantages in the last encounters. What gives importance
to the resumption of the Candiote insurrection is the cir-
cumstance that Montenegro and Service have adopted a
policy decidedly hostile to Turkey. The Vienna Wanderer
states that there are two Montenegrin envoys in Constan-
tinople. For what They have gone to demand in the
most menacing tone what is now called a rectification of
frontiers, that is to say, an extension of territory at the
expense of the Sultan-Pope. In case of refusal, they are
instructed to declare that they will maintain their demand
by arms, and that they reckon on the aid of the Servians.
It is much more probable that they rely on the support of
the Russians. The Courrier d'Oricnt of the 11th informs
us that the Russian General Boecicroff, accompanied by
several officers of engineers, arrived recently in Philippe-
poll. Eli mission is to make a geographical map of two
provinces which would admirably suit Russia—Bulgaria
and Thrace. The apparent object is of course &scientific
one. The Cur is such a lover of geography ! In the pre-
sence of these circumstances it is easy to understand why
he is making fresh military sacrifices. According to the
Gazzetta d'ltalia the young men inscribed in the first cate-
gory of the class of 1846 are to be called under arms—
which will increase the effective of the army by 50,000.
England, on her aide, is preparing to augment her mini.
sons of Malts and Gibraltar. The military preparations
in Service are so considerable as to attract attention of
Austria. The official journal of Servia has published a
note on this matter which gives but little satisfaction to
Austria, and leaves but small hope to those who believe in
maintaining the ;data quo in the East.

(azurines TZLEGRAMIL)
WAR IN THE BRAZILS.
PARIS, Rae. 20.

The Moniteur of this morning states in its bulletin
that, on the 3rd of November the Paraguayans
carried the allied camp by storm, but, not having
taken the necessary precautions, they were attacked
in their turn, and driven back with great loss.
Their object was, however, partly attained, as they
had time to destroy the enemy's magazines, and to
spike a number of their guns.