The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-26 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 26, 1855,

BRIGHT'S forte. He is shocked at this country's
beginning to demand the restoration of Poland,
still more that the House of Lords should discuss
it as an essential of secure peace ; and he shudders
at the sacrifice of life it would involve, and at the
long interruption to trade. Now, does it never
occur to him that his own views, if carried out,
might involve more bloodshed than ours ; and
that the enormous cost of a war establishment
which should, for all this generation at least, be
necessary to check an irritated, but not weakened,
CzAR, would not be a burden on our national
taxation, which would bear most heavily on trade?
Our firm conviction is that a peace on Mr.
BRIGHT'S basis must issue in a few years in a war,
with Russia still better prepared, civilisation still
more aroused, and one attended with a terrific
amount of bloodshed and expense, which might
all be averted li)y doing our duty now. We claim
a benevolent view of the case as well as Mr.
BRIGHT.

But how is it that Mr. BRIGHT has not one
word to say for the " oppressed nationalities,"
and that all his efforts are directed to consigning
these nationalities to hopeless and debasing servi-
tude a We can readily conceive that had Poland,
if liberated, been as feasible for cotton-growing as
India, we should have had eloquence more burn-
ing and soul-stirring on her behalf than all which
the India Bill called forth. The horrid brutalities
of CONSTANTINE goading the Poles into insurrec-
tion, the violation of the solemn Treaty of Vienna
through which the whole country was absorbed by
that insatiable monster Russia ; the frightful exe-
cutions, Siberian banishments, floggings of nuns,
and subversion of educational institutions ; the
dreadful conscriptions and erection of powerful
fortresses throughout the country, would have
been the theme of Mr. BRIGHT'S scathing elo-
quence; and verily if NICHOLAS had been painted
as he is by the Manchester orator, his speeches
would not have been translated indeed into Rus-
sian, but they would have been translated into
the languages of all the " oppressed nationalities."
They would have cheered the hearts of struggling
patriots, instead of serving for an apology to the
most relentless of tyrants. It is indeed painful
to conclude that, unconsciously no doubt, one of
our most effective Parliamentary and platform
orators is the ESCHINES, not the DEMOSTHENES, of
this struggle. All his eloquence is exerted to
deter from the sacrifices necessary to overpower
the universal aggressor before he becomes the
universal master.

" A straw thrown up shows which way the wind
blows." So says the old adage. And nowhere
is this more true than in the political world, with
its many shiftings and changes. Those events,
which attract no attention from the uninitiated
elsewhere, are recognised as pregnant with mean-
ing by the experienced politician, who, from in
formation thus skilfully acquired, is often enabled I
to avert shipwreck by trimming his sails before he
is overtaken by the storm. Of course, the task
is more difficult at one time than another. Public
feeling is sometimes so lethargic that unusual
skill is required to ascertain in which direction
the current is likely to set, while at others it is so
active that he who runs may read.
And blind indeed must he be who is unable to
recognise the direction in which public opinion
has now set. Many long years have elapsed since
its current blew so strongly and steadily in any
given quarter. Not only has the Press taken the
lead, but on every opportunity it has been backed
by the popular Iroise. Does Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT,
heedless of the well-merited condemnation of the
Ministry of which he was an influential member,
present himself with lively self-sufficiency to the
electors, peasants, and shopkeepers of Wilts ? It
is not, as he finds to his chagrin, to be soothed
by their approval, but to listen to expressions of
condemnation yet more vigorous, personal, and
terse. The cry spreads, and grows more and more
emphatic, that the War has hitherto been mis-
managed, and more energetic measures must be
taken to prosecute it with success.

Still further indications of the direction given
to public opinion may be found in the addresses of
the candidates at more recent elections, and in
places where they have not yet come off. First
and foremost stands the question of the War.
This is properly and wisely presented as the great
question of the day, to which all others must
give place ; and it is remarkable that no man
comes forward bold enough to advocate the views
of the Peace party.
The knocking of the Angel of Death, which,
according to Mr. BRIGHT, is heard at every door,
only appears to nerve all true-hearted Englishmen
to greater determination. Forty thousand men may
fester in untimely graves, but the nation, while it
deplores their fate, bates no jot of heart or hope.
Peace, no one denies to be valuable—no one but
wishes to see secured on safe and honourable
terms. But that peace can be procured only by
the vigorous prosecution of the War is the sole
opinion offered by candidates, and the only one,
we are bold to say, that would anywhere be re-
ceived without shouts of indignation. The people
feel that their position in the scale of nations,
their honour, and their credit, already fearfully
imperilled by official incompetency and neglect,
are at stake ; ani neither to gratify the wishes of
the pusillanimous, uor to avert the impending fall
of an aristocratic clique, will they permit a peace
otherwise than honourable and safe to be patched
up ; and no peace can either be one or the other,
in their opinion, which leaves the CZAR in the
pessession of his present powers for mischief. We
have gone too far not to go farther. We have
earned an enmity it is our wisdom now, while we
have the opportunity, to render as powerless as
possible for the future.

STATE OF THE ARMY BEFORE
SEBASTOPOL.

The Morning Post pledges itself to the accuracy
of the following statement of the actual numbers
before Sebastopol on the 6th of February :
The grand total of our army in the East on
Feb. 6, was
Thus composed—
Officers
Sergeants
Drummers
Rank and File
Grand Total
Of these, there were in hospital in camp 5,773
And sick at Scutari
Disking a total of sick -- 18,117
There were missing, as prisoners of war
There were on command 2,948
And there were present as an effective farce
Thus composed—
Officera
Sergeants
Drummers
Rank and File
Total ..
And this was exclusive of the naval brigade.
Our effective force before Sebastopol was therefore,
on the 6th of February, in round numbers Twenty-six
Thousand Dien.

44,948

. 1,242
. 2,535
. 735
4• 0,436

44,948

1,242
1,655
535
20,762

24,194

ADDRESS OF LORD JOHN RUSS'ILL TO
TIRE ELECTORS OF LONDON.

Subjoined is the address of Lord John Russell to the
electors of London, soliciting their suffrages for his re-
election, in consequence of his haring joined the Govern-
ment of Lord Palmerston :

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF LONDON.

Paris, Feb. 23, 1855.

Gentlemen,—Her Majesty having been pleased to con-
fide to me a mission of the highest importance, involving
the interests of Europe, and affording hopes of an honour-
able termination of the present war, I felt it my duty to
withdraw for a time from my service to you in Parlia-
ment.

While in this capital, intelligence has reached me of the
resignation of three of the principal Ministers of the Crown,
and Lord Palmerston has asked for my assistance in carry-
ing oa the Government.
In the difficult circumstances in which the country is
placed, I have not thought myself justified in withholding
from the Queen any aid which it might be in my power to
afford.

I have therefore accepted office, and, en my return from
Vienna, shall be prepared to assume its duties and respon-
sibilities.

In these circumstances I humbly place myself in your
hands as a candidate for the renewal of your confidence.
I have the honour to be, gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) JOHN RUSSELL.

LATEST NEWS.

DEFEAT OF THE RUSSIANS
AT EUPATORIA.

Lord Panmure presents his compliments to the
Editor of The Sun, and begs to transmit a copy
of a telegraphic despatch which has been received
from Lord Raglan through the British agent at
Bucharest :

BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, FEB. 18.

A force, said to be 40,000, of Russians, with a
large number of guns, attacked. Eupatoria at day-
light on the 17th, and was repulsed with loss by

Omer Pasha.

The Turkish loss is said to be inconsiderable,
but Salim Pasha, commanding the Egyptian
brigade, was killed. The British men of war,
under the Hon. Captain Hastings, covered both
flanks with great effect. The action terminated
at 10 a.m., when the Russians retired a few
miles.

We hare received the following despatch from
Vienna confirming the news of the attack upon

Eupatoria :

VIENNA, SUNDAY EVENING.

According to official despatches received here,
40,000 Russians made an at tack upon Eupatoria
on the 17th of February.
After four hours' fighting the Russians were
repulsed with considerable loss, reported at 500

men.

The loss of the Turks, who were commanded

by Omer Pasha, was inconsiderable.

The illoniteur of yesterday publishes the fol-
lowing version of the attack upon Eupatoria :
" A telegraphic despatch from Bucharest, dated
the 23d of February, announces that on Saturday,
the 17th inst., at 6 o'clock in the morning, the
Russians, to the number of 40,000, under the
orders of General Liprandi, at tacked Eupatoria.
After a combat of four hours they were vigorously
repulsed, with considerable loss, by the Turks,
under the command of Omer Pasha.
The Turks had 15 killed and 35 wounded.
A battery served by the French lost four men.

The Moniteur also publishes the following :
PERA, FEB. 15.

The wind is still in the south, and our trans-
ports get rapidly through the Straits. A great
number of vessels arrived this week at Kamiesh

with provisions of every description.

The Minister of Marine and the Colonies has
received the following telegraphic despatch from
Vice-Admiral Bruat :

MONTEBELLO, KAMIESH, FEB. 13.
The following vessels have arrived at Ka•

miesh :

On the 11th, from Eupatoria, the Jean Bart. ;
on the 12th, from Bosphorus, the Tage, In-
flexible, Nereide, and Psyche ; on the 13th, the
Labrador, Chandernagor, and Breslavr. All these
vessels brought troops, provisions, and provender.
The 'rage got aground at the entrance of
Kazatch Bay, but was got off without much
damage.

The siege works go on slowly, in consequence

of the bad. weather. The enemy is fortifying his

right, and. getting new guns into position on the

Quarantine side.

General Niel embarks to-day on board the

Rein e Hortense.

The Moniteur also says that nothing important
had occurred before Sebastopol up to the 20th.
A despatch of the 24th, from Czernowitz, states
that on the) 18th Prince Menschikoff was suffer-
ing from illness at Sebastopol.

We hare received the following telegraphic de-
spatch from Marseilles :
"MA.RSEILLES, SATURDAY, FEB. 24.
"The Thabor, which left Constantinople, on
the 16th intst., has arrived.
" Despot ches for the Government left here at
4 p.m.

" Advi ees from the Crimea, dated the 14th
inst., brought to Malta by the Arabia in 63 hours
from Constantinople, announce that some thou-
sand Russ lams who accompanied the Grand Duke
Michael te► Sebastopol had been frozen to death."

CONSTANTINOPLE, FEB. 15.

The enrolment of Turks in a British auxiliary
corps has commenced by authority of Lord
Redcliffe.

A numba r of steam-ships have been appointed
to cruise in the Sea of Azoff.

The Frellch troops that were at Constantinople
have been ordered to the Crimea.

The two, mortar battery destined to play on the
fort of Sabs.stopol will be ready before the end of

his month..

NAPLES, FEB. 19.

Prince Batriono, Governor of Sicily, has ten.

(hied Lis tersiguation, which hap been aoeeptpd by

;he King..

FRANCE.

PARIS, FEB. 25.
Lord John Russell set out last evening, for
Berlin ♦ia. Brussels.

The Constitutionnel announces that 5,600 in-
fantry and 800 cavalry will leave probably at the
beginning of March. The utmost enthusiasm
reigns in the corps.
Official despatches have reached Paris, which say
—" On tbm 18th, General Liprandi attacked, with
30,000 Ra issians, the entrenched camp of the Turks
at Eupato ria. The enemy was repulsed with a loss
of 500 men."

A second despatch, of the same date, says—
" The Rumian infantry advanced with hesitation,
and did not present that compact solidity which
they displayed before Silistria. The Russians have
evidently fault that they are no match for us, and
are losing confidence. Our position is admirable;
we can ;very well spare troops for Sebastopol, if
necessary."

Such is the war news of to-day.
Of the Emperor's departure for the theatre of
war no reasonable doubt seems now to be enter-
tained by any one. Everything is prepared ; all
are ready to start at a moment's notice, and per-
haps the signal will be the arrival of a despatch
which fixes the date of the long-expected assault,
or battle. These preparations, however, have been
going on for some time, and the Guides, with Col.
Fleury, have been ready to march. We now only
make conjectures as to the precise date of the de-
parture, and official persons who had been decid-
edly opposed to it, and who have done their best
to render it unpopular, and to produce the im-
pression that it was but a rumour and nothing
more, are now forced to admit its certainty.
The Ministers themselves have caused to be
put forth every imaginable argument against a
journey their disapproval of which they still
take no pains to conceal. It would, however,
be an error to suppose that the storming
of Sebastopol, or even a battle as prelimi-
nary to that operation, is the sole cause of the)

Emperor's quitting France at this moment. It is
believed to he connected with operations on a still
greater scale than the campaign in the Crimea, and
the presence of the Emperor with the armies will
produce a unity of design and action necessary for
so great an emergency, and which union is saidnot
to exist between the Generals at this moment.
It is known that his Majesty has devoted much
time to the study of a plan of operations
drawn by himself and submitted to a very few
eminent military authorities ; that the plan has
been communicated to the Austrian military com-
missioner in Paris, who in turn transmitted it to
Vienna, where it is now under the consideration of
the Emperor of Austria. The result we shall, no
doubt, witness, before long, and, as I have just
mentioned, there is reason to believe that these
plans are not unconnected with the journey to the
Crimea. Of the day fixed for quitting Paris
nothing positive can be said.
A. letter from Paris, dated Sunday, G p.m.,
says :—" The Emperor has decidedly abandoned
his project, in consequence of intelligence received
from Germany, and not from the Crimea, and that
this is positive ; but that the army would be left in
the belief that the journey will take place."
M. Thiers has had his arm broken in two places,
by a fall ; and Count Mole has for some days been
confined to his house by indisposition.
Marshal de Castellane has arrived in Paris from
Lyons.
The following despatches have been received :
" BERLIN, FEB. 23.
"The Committee of Deputies appointed to examine
the financial questions had adopted by large majority
the credits demanded for preparations for war.
"The committee proposes at the same time an address
to th• King, expressing fears upon the isolation of Prus-
sia, and the opinion that a decided and consequent line
of policy logically maintained can alone guarantee the
power of Prussia in future. The committee further pro-
poses to reject the prolongation of the credit demanded
by the Government. This second proposition will be
supported by the Extreme Right and by the Extreme
Left, which have coalesced against the Moderate frac-
tions."

" FEB. 24.

" Colonel Oldberg returned here the day before yes-
terday. Although the chances of a treaty being con-
cluded between Prussia and the Western Powers appear
to augment, great doubts nevertheless continue to pre-
vail en the subject. It is not known on what grounds
the Right of the Chamber has rejected the application of
Government for further supplies, but its vote does not
appear to have been concerted with the Left."
The Committee of the Second Chamber at Berlin
has resolved to propose a vote of want of confidence
in the Ministerial policy.