The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-01 00:00:00

THE WAR BEGINNING IN EARNEST.

ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 21.—The Russian jour-
nals rarely contain leading articles generally re-
stricting their communications to recitals of occur-
rences more or less garbled. The Northern Bee,
however, Las just published one of these exceptional
papers. It is headed " The War Beginning in
Earnest," and quotes as a motto the memorable
words of Kutusoff—" The loss of Moscow is not
the loss of Russia." In the outset it lays it down
as au invention of the French and English press
that the Russians were conquered on the Bth of
September, and that the Allies had taken Sebasto-
pol ; proceeding :
For from which side and at what time did the enemy
enter the city?' Which Russian regiment was compelled
to lay down its arms or retreat? Where are the trophies
of victory, the hundreds of cannons, heaps of standards,
masses of prisoners ? Of all this there is not a ves-
tige, and the truth is that the allies were so intimi-
dated that they did not venture into the city, after it
was evacuated by the Iluesian troops, for three whole
days, and then only with the greatest precaution and
with fear and trembling. It was only fur the purpose
of no longer serving uselessly as a target to the enemy
who were approaching the walls every day more and
more, that the Russians crossed over to the north side,
just as one changes one's dress or selects another path.
'l7O be sure, it was a pity to put aside the beautiful purple
dress of Sebastopol, but it is only for a time, and the
Czar will soon give it another one, far more magnificent
than the former, and the genius of Todtleben and his com-
panions will weave it at their leisure and without a seam.
No joy has been expressed at the so-called ♦ictory by the
Western Powers, neither by the English who were com-
pletely beaten, as they have been in every action since
the commencement of the war, nor by the French, who
are now i❑ a rendition to quote the well-known words of
Pyrrhus. The sole trophies of England and France are
black crape and mourning dresses. The armies of both
fought without any reason, and solely by order of their
respective sovereigns, who give them no protection or
consolation under their misfortunes, by which they are
reduced to the verge of despair ; whilst Russia, on the
other hand, attacked without any cause, fought gallantly
for honour and self-preservation.
Such a difference in the moral element of the two con-
tending parties cannot fail to terminate eventually in fa-
vour of the Russian arms, which was only at a momen-
tary disadvantage, because it had not sufficient railroads,
nor guns of such extreme range as those of the enemy.
Whoever puts forth other reasons for the misfortunes
that have hitherto befallen us is worse than a traitor to
his country, for even the enemy acknowledges the heroic
bravery of the Russians, and the superiority of our artil-
lery and the scientific attainments of our engineers.
At first it was supposed in the West that by obtaining
possession of the south side of Sebastopol they had
gained everything, and are now the more surprised to
find out their error, and to see that the war has in reality
only just commenced—a war which cannot possibly re-
flect any gory on the governments who brought it on,
and can only end in their total prostration. Even now
the blood of their own subjects is not sufficient for their
insatiable ambition, and they are obliged to have re-
course to all sorts of shifts to obtain men from other
nations. With S ,rdinia the contract of sale has been
concluded, and Olozega will no doubt be easily pur-
chased ; but it is still a question whether the brave Cm-
Chan.; will allow themselves to be sold. The loan of
1,500 millions of francs is no proof of patriotic senti-
ments, for it was nothing more than a jabbing specula-
tion of mostly Jewish bankers to suck out the resources
of France and leave her bound hand and foot, when she
will find out to her cost that the empire, instead of the
promised peace and plenty, has brought nothing. but
war and desolation on the unhappy country. England
has sunk low, both in the estimation of Russia and
France. Turkey is unable to move under the weight of
the French and English pro-Consuls. How different is
the ease in Russia, where the Emperor never abuses his
power, and the people never suffer from tyranny and the
cold egotism of their rulers. The Czar and his people
are indissolubly united, whilst the first reverse of fortune
will not fail to break up the alliance of the enemy. But
it is not only behind stone walls that the Russians can
fight. Their present circumstances in the field are just
as favourable. Our troops are now in the open country,
for that is the natural scene of action for their valour,
but the enemy do not dare to attack them, preferring to
sit down and entrench themselves. The enemy are not
able to undertake anything of importance, and their po-
sition is far from being so favourable as they would
make the world believe.

In the beginning. of the war a great part of Europe
was no doubt unfavourably disposed towards Russia,
who has, however, now no enemies except Louis Napo-
leon (who ought to love Russia, which is the natural ally
of France) and England and the democrats, who also
hate the French Emperor. Prussia and the whole of
Germany stand firm on our side. Austria is become
cautious, and the other states will come to their senses
in time, for Napoleon's overbearing conduct in Greece,
Turkey, Rome, Sardinia, Spain, Naples, and all Italy,
as well as towards England, whom he leads by the pose,
show sufficiently that he follows the traditionary policy
of the first empire.
The Russians are still in possession of the northiside of
Sabalopol, and even if we should lose it the enemy
have gaMed nothing by it, and would net be able to
march into the interior of the country. A few attempts
may be made to effect a hauling at points of no import-
ance, such as Kertch and Eupatoria, but the most im-
portant places on the casts are effect;vely protected
and perfectly safe froin any attempts of the enemy.
They may come again with more ships, but they will be
received by the Russian gun-boats, and we can await
their coming without any alarm.
A letter of Nov. 20, from St. Petersburg, says
The Emperor returned here last night, after an ab-
sence of nine weeks, and will probably again take up his
residence in the winter palace. It is to be hoped that
his presence will restore some animation to public life,
which seems extinct. The winter has already inter-
rupted the communications, which might otherwise have