The Sun.
London, England, 1855-10-11 00:00:00

THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, Oct. 11.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.

55 - highest since noon yesterday.
49 —lowest this morning and during the night.
59 —this day, at noon.

BAROMETER, 29'70.
WIND, S.W.—Light, with dull rainy weather.

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LONDON, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1855.

We are, it appears, to remain dependent on
Russian sources for all information respecting the
progress of the War. So far as the great ma-
jority of the people are concerned the electric
chain might have remained incomplete. They
may hear a brief and meagre account of some
great battle or decisive onslaught, such as the
fierce conflict at Inkerman, or the capture of the
Malakhoff ; but other events of vast importance
are shrouded in mystery until they are brought
to light from non-official sources, and have com-
paratively lost their interest, as well as being put
forward in the manner least favourable to the
Allies.

It is certain that there are cases where it is
advisable to preserve silence, so as to prevent the
adversary from obtaining any inkling of the inten-
tions of our Generals. But our red-tapists carry
the point to an absurd extent, affecting secresy
about matters that have been in every mouth,
and form the ordinary topics of conversation.
This would he simply ridiculous, were it not
so very injurious to the national welfare. Wc
use the term " welfare " advisedly, for an
early knowledge of events connected with the pro-
gress of the War is important, not merely for the
gratification of idle curiosity, but for the instruc-
tion of the public mind in matters where they
should be fully informed, and not liable to be
misled by unfounded rumours or spurious intelli-
gence.

At present great anxiety is entertained respect-
ing the contemplated operations against Odessa.
We may thank the Russian General for the glad
tidings that the Allied Fleets had anchored on tlw
Bth instant in very significant proximity to the
great commercial emporium of Southern Russia.
The British Navy has now the opportunity of do-
ing something worthy of its former character—
something to prove that our sailors have not de-
generated, but that they are still worthy
of their ancient reputation. It is said
that Odessa has been materially strengthened,
and that the kindness of our Admiral in pointing
out its weak points has by no means been thrown
away, but that the enemy has profited thereby t
the fullest extent. The difficulty of the task will
therefore be materially enhanced. But that is of
little consequence, provided that we have got rid
of the morbid and spurious sentimentality that
induces us to spare the adversary where our blows
must tell most powerfully. If we desire to brill,'
the AUTOCRAT to reason, and to enforce a real sub-
mission, it can only be done by destroying his
resources, and depriving him of the means of
He is utterly reckless of
carrying on the War.
human life, and may think the sacrifice of myriad-,
of serfs, of but trivial importance when compared
with some point of etiquette relating to his per-
sonal vanity. But when his pocket is affected—
when he has no longer the means of feeding those
whom he readily devotes as " food for gunpow-
der," and is unable to supply
the tangible secu-
rities which his Dutch, or German—and we regret •
to add—his quasi English sympathisers will re-
quire before they put their hands in their pockets
to advance funds to enable him still to maintain
the contest, the matter will assume a very diffe-
rent aspect. The destruction of Odessa, if it be
effectually carried out, will do more to tighten the
purse strings of those diposed to makepecuniary ad-
vances to Rwsia, with the gold drawn from England,
than the most sanguinary conflicts and brilliant
triumphs that could be achieved by the arms of
France and England. Its commerce is the vul-
nerable spot where it can be prostrated. "The
heel of the modern ACHILLES," who would speedily
fall under a few such wounds. We have wit-
nessed the almost miraculous results of the ope
rations in the Sea of Azoff, operations to
which we are greatly indebted for the tri-
Amphant issue of the siege of Sebastopol. Bad
the expedition to Kertch, and Anapa, and Genit-
chi taken place before the breaking up of the
Conferences of Vienna, it is more than probable
that the propositions of the Western Powers would
not have been so contumeliously rejected by
Prince GORTSCHAKOFF. But while these obvion
modes of carrying on the War were neglected
. Russia could not be persuaded that we were in
earnest. She has had bitter cause to lament the
error into which she was betrayed by the culpable
folly of the managers of the War ; and it is high
time that her eyes should be fully opened to the
real state of It was found that N. •
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