The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-14 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 14, 1855.

T T iv
* S' a

TINE VIENNA CON FERENCE,
VIENNA, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 13.

Considerable difference of opinion exists be-
tween the Western Powers and Austria respect-
ing the diminution of the Russian preponderance
in the Black Sea.

Lord John Russell and M. Drouyn de 1' guys
left this morning for the Semmering mountain,

and return to morrow.

This temporary absence probably means—
" Accept our conditions or reject them."

THE BALTIC FLEET.
KIEL, FRIDAY, 11 A.M.

The Imperieuse, 51, Commodore Watson, and
Euryalus, 51, have just entered this harbour and
anchored close to the bathing establishment. The
weather is fine.

PARIS, SATURDAY, 8 A.M.

Large crowds assembled on the 10th and 11th
near the palace of the Cortes. The National
Guard maintains order. Madrid is tranquil.
A despatch from Rome of the 13th inst. says
that the flooring of a room in the Convent of St.
Agnes, where the Pope had assembled a number
of guests, gave way under the feet of the holy
father, who, however, escaped unhurt. Cardinals
Antonelli and Patrizi, and General Montreal re-

ceived contusions which are not serious.

MADRID, 12th.
The law on the National Guard, with M.

Armizo's amendment, was passed in yesterday's
sitting of the Cortes by 16Z votes to 28. Another

attempt at riot was made yesterday, but was put
down immediately.

THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.
( Prom second edition of the Morning _Herald of this clay. )
ENGLISH CAMP,, HEIGHTS OF
SEBASTOPOL, MARCH 28.

Very little of importance has occurred to-day.
One or two of the batteries on both sides have been
firing shell, but without producing particular re-
sults. Both with the enemy and the allies there
seems to be an evident disinclination to show forth
all their strength, until the moment for the grand
contest arrives. Thus, the Rus siaus appear to
possess only three, or, at most, four mortar,., as
they certainly never fire from more, though I
doubt but that as the active operations of the
siege are recommenced we shall find that in f ct
tiler batteries are full of them. So . with
many of their smaller works -o n the flanks of
ivlalakhoff Tower, which, it is genterally presumed,
the enemy will not have men en ough to defend
against our bombardment, simply because we
seldom see men in them now. But the garrison
seem resolved on showing nothing of the state or
actual condition of their preparations and means
of defence until the necessity for their use arrives.
It is this profound secrecy with which they enve-
lope all their movements which lea.ds every one to
form different conjectures as to the warlike re-
sources of the place, and the probable time which
must elapse before its capture. Since last night
the enemy have been actively engaged in repairing
the damages which the north end. of the Mamelon
battery sustained by the partial explosion of its
magazine. So well have these efforts been con-
ducted, that by daylight this morning the whole
work presented its usual appearance, and several
shots have been since fired from the spot where the
accident occurred.

There are rumours current throughout the camp
that ,the enemy are preparing two new batteries,
one on the left flank of the Mamelon, near the
French works at Inkerman, and the other near the
mud fort, facing the French lines on the extreme
left. There are, I am informed, no grounds at
present for such reports. All that the enemy have
lately done has been to sink several fresh rifle pits
in and about the Mamelon ; but, apparently, even
these are not occupied during the day. The re-
port of such new defences being in contemplation
may have arisen from the fa.ct, that each night a
very strong column of the enemy issues from the
MalakhoeTower, and remains for the night be-
tween it and the Mamelon, and under cover of the
guns of both. This force is put forth by the
enemy to be ready to support the Mamelon at
a moment's notice, in case of a sudden at-
tack. According to present reports our final
bombardment will commence on the morning of
the 2d of April, but I have every reason to believe
that it will be some days later ere such a step is
taken. Immense quantities of shot are now at camp;
indeed so large is the quantity that we should re-
quire double our presenCstock of powder to fire it all
away. All that we are waiting for now is a propor-
tionate amount of shell for our mortars, and these
are coming up each day. In fact, so forward are
all our preparations that the allied generals might
easily re-open the fire to-morrow if they pleased, and
leave to the tramway the work of supplying the
daily stock of bombs, which it could do with per-
fect ease. A telegraphic message, which Lord Rag-
lan received to-day from Lord J. Russell at Vienna,
is said to have something to do with the delay of our
im mediate attack, but as I need hardly say no one,
excepting Lord Raglan, is even supposed to he
acquainted with the contents of ttie message, the
etenjectures is just as likely to be erroneous as not.
The despatch was brought from Varna, in the Simla,
in an almost incredibly short space of time, and an
answer from Lord Raglan was despatched back by
the same vessel, within three hours after her arrival
Kamiesh. A deserter, who came into our ad-
mced trench yesterday evening, brought the re-
port that Prince Menschikoff was either dango-
rously ill or deal, but which he could not say.
Etc also stated that all the great magazines in the
town, whether for powder or provisions, were being
filled. This would quite explain the long trains of
-waggons which are seen to enter Sebastopol so
frequently, and it would also appear as it the
enemy contemplated an entire investment of the
place by the allies as probable, and were doing
their utinast to provide against its consequences
by provisioning the place for a long siege.
The Russians still continue in force about four
miles from Tchourgoum, and whether an attack
upon our lines is seriously expected or not I can-
arot say, beyond that Sir Colin Campbell and the
French officers round Balaklava are the most earnest
in their precautions against it. All the troops round
the heights aro under arms at four a.m. Officers
are enjoined not to absent themselves from their
cantonments, sentries are doubled, and the
picquets advanced.
Last night, or rather early this morning, some
French troops, with a small force from us, made
a distant reconnaissance of the enemy's position.
The force altogether amounted to about 1,500 men,
and was under arms at 1 a.m. The morning was
fine, clear, and mild • altogether the very reverse
of that in which the fast unfortunate reconnissance
started from the same place. The troops advanced
cautiously acrosss the plain, towards the old
Turkish redoubts the small Cossack picquets re-
tiring quietly before them, watching their move-
ments as our men advanced. A little beyond the
last redoubt the troops halted under a small emi-
nence about two miles from the line round Bala-
klava, and so remained till dawn. - From this spat
a tolerable view of the enemy could be ob-
tained. They appeared to be in considerable force
—probably, from 10,000 to 15,000—but the hilly
nature of the ground prevented our ascertaining
with certainty whether there were other bodies
stationed in the valleys, and what was their
strength. One Russian infantry seldier was taken
prisoner in a little Cossack picquet-house near the
• Turkish redoubts. Re stated that there was a force
of at least 35,000 troops upon the Tchernaya and
around Tchourgonm. They bad only arrived there
within the last few days from Bakshi-Serai, where
they had wintered outside the town in huts con-
structed in the earth. Ho said also that both at
Tehourgoum and Bakshi-Serai the troops were well
supplied with previsions.
The reconnoitring party returned to our lines
soon after daybreak.' No attempt of the enemy on
the heights on the right of our lines at Balaklava
is now thought possible. Every ditch and breastwork
has been deepened and strengthened in such a man-
ner as to render the hills perfectly impregnable to
any force, no matter what its numerical strength.
Three long 32-pounders, as well as several heavy
howitzers and field guns, have recently been added
to the heights and redoubts occupied by the marines
and rifles ; and this point, which was formerly the
weakest of the line, is now reckoned the very
strongest. There was only one part of the line
where the defences were not considered perfect,
and this is now being fortified by tremendous

earthworks, which the French hold. It is on this
latter point anticipated that the attack will be
made, if ever made at at all.
The weather continues magnificent; the nights
clear and calm ; the days sunny, but as hot as July
in London. The heat of the wooden huts during
the day is found already to be almost insupportable.
This is caused by the planking of the roof being
covered by tarred felt, which absorbs and retains
the heat of the sun. It might easily be obviated
by having the black felt covered with a coat of
whitewash. The men are all in high spirits, and,
generally speaking, in good health. Fever, how-
ever, is becoming each day more and more preva-
lent, especially among the Guards, Highlanders,
and others who are stationed round Balaklava.
MARCH 29.
Still nothirA to communicate in the way of- hos-
tilities Hardly a dozen shots were fired from
either lines last night, and now that we have full
moon, the prospect of a sortie is quite out of the
question. The business of getting up the filled and
empty shells goes on rapidly. Each day for the last
three days 82 railway trucks filled with 10 and 13-
inch shell has been forwarded to the front. Each
truck holds 32 shells, so that nearly 8,000 have
been sent up since the 26th. In addition to this
immense amount 500 filled 8-inch and 32-pounder
shells have also been forwarded on the backs of
mules, and 500 10-inch empty %hells by the Artillery
waggons each day. Every effort is being made to
get up a tremendous store of these missiles, though
we have already more than enough at the front to
turn Sebastopol into an iron mine. Of solid shot
there are 600 rounds per gun now in camp, and it
is intended to have the same supply for all the mor-
tars. Of the latter store about 200 rounds per
mortar remain to be forwarded. It is expected
that at the rate at which the shells are now con-
veyed, daily, four days more will give us the re-
quired amount.
The railway now takes its traffic close to the rear
of our lines and beyond Karani, about a third of a
mile from head-quarters. It is expected that it will
be entirely completed to head-quarters in the course
of two or three days more. Mr. Beattie certainly
deserves the very highest credit for the very admi-
rable manner in which he conducted all the minute
details connected with this tramway.
However, in spite of all the facilities which the
tram promises, it is now rumoured that the final
assault will be still further postponed for the 2d of
April. As to the truth of the grounds for this
rumour I know nothing ; but I think it very pro-
bable, as I have already said, that the 21 will pass
over without our re-opening fire. On the result
of our fire opinions here are quite divided, some
maintaining that we must capture the place in
three or four days, while others insist that its cap-
ture is impossible while the north side remains in
the hands of the enemy. I must plead guilty to
being of the latter opinion. We, no doubt, will
destroy the town and dockyard, if we fire upon it;
we may even destroy all the enemy's batteries, but
we can only destroy. Occupy them while the Rus-
sians hold Sivernia and Star Fort is quite out of the
question. If we destroy the south side and its
ridges of batteries, we must then move round, and
commence our siege of the north, which is infinitely
stronger than the forts of the town to which we
are now opposed.
Capt. Heath, R.N., who is to supersede Capt.
Christie, in charge of the transports, arrived at
Balaklava this morning. Capt. Christie resigns his
functions on the 30th ult., and leaves for England
the day after. In spite of Government insinuations
to the contrary, Capt. Christie has the consolation
of 1-nowing that as far as the means at his dis-
posal would permit he has always discharged
his duty faithfully and well, and that he leaves
here accompanied by tile sincere regrets of
all the masters of transports who have been
under his charge. The subscriptions to the, testi-
monial, about to be presented to bins by the Inas-
tors of transports out here, already amount to
nearly 2001., and Mr. Pritchard, his secretary, is
also, I believe, to be presented by the same body
with some token of the high appreciation and es-
teem which they feel for his conduct in connection
with them.

Captain Heath will take charge of the Transport
Service. Captain Christie has issued the follow-
ing :

" ORIENT, BALAKLAVA, MARCH 29.

" GENERAL MEMORANDUM.

"The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having
been pleased to appoint Captain Leopold G. Heath,
RN., to supersede me as principal agent of transports,
I hereby inform you thereof, and you will follow and
obey the orders of that officer from and after the 31st
instant.

"In taking leave of you I beg to return you my
warmest thanks for the ready attention with which
you have invariably met my orders and wishes. I have
the greatest gratification in bearing testimony to
the noble spirit and zeal which have been displayed by
one and all of you in the execution of the public service
under trials and circumstances of no ordinary nature,
and which has been accomplished with cheerfulness on
the part of the officers and crews of your respective ships
and a thorough knowledge of your profession. I part
with you with regret, and trust that the same good
feelings which have actuated you hitherto will continue
under my successor, and that your exertions in concert
with those of her Majesty's navy and army will soon be
crowned by success in securing to our country a lasting
and honourable peace.
"P. CHRISTIE, Captain, Principal Agent.
"To the respective Commanders of
the Transports employed with the
Army of the East."

The Trent started to-day for Alexandria to bring
cavalry, and the Himalaya is also under orders for
the same place. The latter ship arrived a few days
since at Kamiesh with 380 artillery horses and
about 200 men. Only three horses were lost during
the trip, which was one of the fastest on record, the
distance from Malta to Kamiesh having been run
in 90 hours, giving an average speed against the
winds and currents of the Dardanelles of 14 knot's
an hour.
MARCH 30.

There has been little firing to-day on both sides,
and without producing any particular result. Shot
and shell are still coming in fast, with railway
truck loads of powder. The whole preparations
for the bombardment are now nearly finished, and
we might Open fire-to-morrow, if it were needed.
No one can account for the delay, except on the
supposition- that Lord Raglan is waiting for fur-
ther communications as to the prospect of affairs at
Vienna. ,This may seem unlikely, but it is the
cause generally assigned for it among the well-
informed circles." The enemy make no move-
ment at Balaklava, though they still remain within
about three miles of our lines, and consequently
keep the whole of the allied force there continually
on the alert day and night. However, we are &ways
ready to receive them, and so "strong has our po-
sition been rendered that, unless the enemy come
with overwhelming superiority of numbers, they
would never risk an attack ; but no precaution is
neglected on this account.
Balaklava itself has been considerably improved
of late ; in fact, both literally and figuratively, it is
no longer the same town. Nearly all the old houses
have been pulled down, and neat wooden. huts
erected in place of them. The gaps in the streets
have been filled in, fresh roads made, and old ones
repaired as good as new. Many of the most con-
spicuous masses of blth have been removed, but
many more unfortunatelystill remain, and now that
the warm weather has fairly set in must remain for
the rest of the summer. The houses that have been
let stand are neatly whitewashed, and altogether,
what with its steam saw-mills, stationary engines,
blacksmiths' shops, pales of coal, railway siding's,
and railway trucks, little piers, wharves, and
shipping, Balaklava is a very different place from
what we found it six months ago. Then it might
have been pointed out as a model of -a quiet, rich,
and picturesque sea side nook ; now its quietness
has gone for ever, its picturesqueness is consider-
ably diminished, and, though the wealth in the
place is of course incomparably greater, there are
fewer signs of it, except in the magnificent steamers
which crowd and dirty the little, harbour. Bala-
klava now only answers to the description of one
of those wooden sea-side towns which spring up in
Australia, on the main routes to diggings, and,
except an occasional Tartar and a few gaunt camels
which have survived the winter, there are as little
traces of the East about it as in Limehouse or
Stepney. The weather here also is as much changed
as Balaklava. During the day now it is quite op-
pressively hot, and gives its a pretty fair idea of
what we may expect in July, if we have the mis-
fortune to be here then. All the hills around are
covered with flowering shrubs, and even within the
precincts of the camp violets and crocuses are
common. Since the warm weather also the flocks
of vultures have returned, and now with kites and
ravens sail about over the tents in hundreds and
hundreds all day.
Of course with such a change in the weather the
condition of the men is much improved. They now
get fresh meat and vegetables three or four times a
week ; and all who are at all unwell live entirely
on fresh provisions. Dysentery and
scurvy are
fast diminishing, but fever, unfortunately, shows
an alarminc, increase during the last week ; it is
particularly prevalent and malignant among the
troops round Balaklava, and the Highlanders have
a long sick list from this cause.
Letters from Eupatoria mention that a large
force of Cossack and regular cavalry are con-
tinually hovering around the town, but make no
attempt towards coming in ranee of the works. A
deserter, who recently came in there, said that an
infantry force of 18 battalions (about 32,000) was
encamped about four miles from the town, and not
-in the least short of provisions.- letters from the
fleet speak of the recent attack of one of the gun-

boats, with the Gladiator and Highflyer steam-
frigates, upon Soujak, near Kertcb. All the ves-
sels are said to have behaved splendidly. The
Highflyer, in particular, was much cut up, having
no less than 15 shots in her hull, and between 50
and 60 in her rigging. Only two of her crew were
wounded.
There seems to be no likelihood of the combined
fleets again assisting us in our attack upon Sebas-
topol, even by engaging the sea forts. All hopes
of forcing an entrance into the harbour, while the
sunken vessels remain in their present position, are
quite given up.
Your readers may now soon look for important
news. We are certain to open fire in, a few more
days ; after that nothing is certain.

FRANCE.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, FRIDAY EVENING.
_ __
__ _ _

The great topic of the day-is the departure of the
Emperor for the Crimea or some part of the East
soon after his return froni London. It is indeed
quite as much talked of, and believed by per-
sons who before doubted it, as it was a month
or two ago ; and, though it is hardly safe to fix
a date, which, perhaps, no one except the Em-
peror himself knows, the 10th or. 15th of next
month is spoken of. It is said that the Em-
peror hopes to offer such good reasons to the
English Government for the realization of that
idea, that all objections, if any exist, will be
removed.

The private letters received from Vienna yes-
terday do not indeed hold out much hope of
a pacific termination of the Conferences ; on
the contrary,, they announce an approach-
ing rupture, but they add, at the same time,
that Austria will not hesitate to come forward,
once for all, and declare her readiness to take
the part in the struggle that a great Empire and a
young, daring, and patriotic Sovereign ought to
do. The letters also refer to the expected visit of
the Emperor of the French to Vienna, after having
passed some days at Paris ; and, in the event of
the Russian ambassador receiving his passports, or
a complete rupture with Russia, state that both
Emperors will depart for the theatre of the new
military operations, probably the southern pro-
vinces of Russia.

The Senate sat yesterday ; M. Troplong in the
chair. The municipal-organisation bill and several
others, adopted by the Legislative Body, were
brought up and referred to the bureaux for exami-
nation. M. Lefebvre-Durnfle presented a report
on the bill relative to-a credit for telegraphic lines;
and the Senate, having taken the measure into
consideration, decided that there was no reason to
prevent its being promulgated. The same decision
was come to with respect to eleven local bills and
twelve others, authorising loans or additional taxes.
Several reports on petitions were then heard, and
the proceedings terminated.
The Moniteur de la Flotte gives the following as
the vessels which are to form the squadron that
will accompany the Emperor and Empress to Eng-
land ; and which will be ithder the command a
Rear-Admiral Count de Chabannes.Curton

The Austerlitz screw line of battle ship, 90 guns;
Assas screw steam-corvette, 16 guns ; Petrel,
Cocyte, Pelican, and Corse, small steairers. The
Assas, on board of which it is thought their ma-
jesties will embark, was built at Lorient in 1852.
Her engines are of the nominal force of 400-horse
power. It has four oscillating cylinders, which are
all placed under the water streak, and are therefore
well out of the reach of an enemy's, shot. Her
boilers are on the tubular system. She has a crew
of 240 men ; is barque rigged ; and when under•
sail can show a good spread of canvas. She has
stowage for 400 tons of coals, beincr:abont 10 days'
supply, 3 months' provisions and fmonth's water.
She has on board an apparatus for distilling fresh
water.
We read it the Moniteur:—

" The operations of the councils of revision which
commenced on the let of March throughout the whole of
France, terminated on the 20th ' • and the delay fixed by
the Imperial decree of the 16th February last for the
formation' of the contingent of 1854 has thus been punc-
tually executed. Notwithstanding the severity of the
season, and the obstacles caused by the snow and bad
weather, the young men and the mayors of their com-
munes attended the sittings with remarkable exactitude
Order and regularity- presided over these operations
throughout the whole of the Empire ; they attest once
more the excellent dispositions with which the people
are animated, and the warmth of their sympathies
towards the Government of the• Emperor. The contin-
gent of 140,000 Man of the class of 1854 is moreoyer
perfectly well composed, and the young men.who were
this year called on to take part in the drawing process,
as compared with those of last year a decided physical
superiority. Thus, numerous as the contingent is, and
although the councils of revisions have, in conformity
with the recommendations of the Minister of War,
only admitted vigorous young men, the contingent
has not only been completed with facility in almost
all the departments, but there remain a certain number
of young men who were liberated in consequence of the
numbers drawn by them. In some department;, the
number of . the latter amounts on an average to 25 per
cent. A fact not less interesting and significant is the
number of voluntary enrolments, and of young men who
have come forwaid before their regular time, in depart-
ments where in a general way there used to be very few.
The departure of the young soldiers of the class of 1854
took place at the period prescribed, from the 25th to the
31st March. Although summoned only a very few days
before, they attended promptly to their order to march,
and though no levy has ever been made in so brief a de-
lay, the number if absentees has never been so small.
In a few day more, the whole of the contingent will have
reached the depots of their •different corps, to which
they will impart a new element of force and solidity."
The Moniteur publishes a decree, founded on a
report from the Minister of War authorising the
creation of a village of thirty houses in the plain of
Staoueli between Sidi Ferruch and the Convent of
the Trappists, in the arrondissement of Algiers.
A letter from the Piraeus of de 31st, in the Mo-
niteur de la Flotte says :—" Thinks to the ener-
getic perseverance of Admiral De Titian and of our
ambassador, the affair of Kohoma hag at length
been brought to an end. Out of the seven per-
sons accused of having attacked and wounded the
Sailors of the Olivier, and the officer in command of
a detachment, six, one of whom is .the priest and
the principal instigator of the outrage, have been
condemned to nine years' confinement in irons.
The telegraph has informed us of the arrival at
Vienna of the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs,
and even his reception by the Emperor. The fol-
lowing passage from a letter from Constantinople li
of the 29th ult., in the rourrier de Marseille,
makes known the instructions of which he is the
bearer:--

" A grand council was held here the day before yes-
terday •at the residence. of Rifaat Paella, in order to
decide on the instructions to be aiven to Ali Pacha.
The French, English, and Austrian arabassathirs were
present. The following are the principal points which
were decided on, particularly as concerns Turkey.
1. The Sultan does not admit, under any pretence or
under any form, the protectorate powers, neither will
the Porte consent, unless compelled so to. do, to the
common pr.)tectorate of the Danubian provinces. 2.
Turkey is ready to abandon her eilaiat to an indemnity
for the expenses of the war if that point should be an
ob,tac:e to the conclusion of peace. In any other case
she maintains her right to clain'i an indemnity. 3.
Turkey is resolved not to give her consent to the esta-
blishment of a European arsenal on any part whatever
of her territory. Such are the instructions given. On
every question agitated Ali Pacha is to refer to his
Government, and the resolutions of Turkey will not be-
come definitive until they have been approved of by the
Sultan: The embassy of Ali will be on a most princely
scale. He has in his suite six secretaries, a numerous
staff of officers and intendants, and eighteen servants.'
Omer Pacha has addressed a letter to Admiral
Beuat, dated Eupatoria, 25th ult., informing him
that he has obtained from the Ottoman Govern-
ment medals of honour for 27 seamen, belonging to
the French frigate Africane, who during a very
heavy gale of wind in January last went in their
boats to the relief of a small Turkish transport off
Varna, and at the risk of their own lives saved the
soldiers on board of her from certain destruction.

BOURSE, APRIL 13.—CLOSING PRIORS. •
Cash. t fr. C. • End of Month.
42 per Cents 94 —f. —O.
3 per Cents 69 20 69f. 40c.
Credit Mobilier 792 50 Roman
Credit Fancier 532 50 Austrian
Belgian Five 5......., 94i Spaqish Threes —
Piedniontese B5 73 Home Debt —