The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-24 00:00:00

THE SUNKEN SHIPS.

The Lloyd of Vienna, of the 18th, says :—Letters
from, Varna give some details as to the manner in
which the Russian ships-of-the-line have been sunk
in the port of Sebastopol. They have been so dis-
posed as to form two barriers, each composed of
three ships, and between which exists a passage for
a single vessel, the said passage being temporarily
closed by chains. It is not impossible to penetrate
into that port by that narrow passage, but it is
very difficult. The part of the vessels which re-
mains above the surface of the sea has been daubed
over with pitch, and loaded with inflammable mat-
ters, which will be set fire to, should the vessels of
the Allied Fleets attempt to enter.

A letter from Odessa, of the 10th, states that the
Russian fleet has left the lesser port, and taken up
a position nearer the northern side of the great
port, and is ready to take part in the defence of
Odessa. They have fired broadsides, to try their
range, and have found that they can contribute to
the defence of the southern forts.
The Austrian Correspondence announces that
" up to October 15, nothing decisive had been un-
dertaken against Sebastopol."
A correspondent writes from Ibraila, under
date of the Bth inst. :—" Although the Russians
have recrossed the Pruth, there is still a consider-
able number of them in the Dobrudscha ; they
occupy Tultscha, Isatchka, and Matschin. The
concentration of a strong division of the Ottoman
troops, which is being effected at this moment, as
also the extensive military works which are just
now being completed at divers points of the Sereth,
lead us to suppose that the Turks intend to pass
into Moldavia with a view of attempting a diver-
sion into Bessarabia. The Austrian garrison has
withdrawn from this place. The cavalry has marched
to Buaeo, and the infantry to Galatz. Yesterday these
Austrian troops were replaced by the regiment of
Ottoman Cossacks, commanded by Zadyk
.To-day Jomsouf Paella made his entry into our
town at the head of four squadrons of Lancers and
a field-battery. These troops were exceedingly
well received by the population, a portion of whom
went out to meet them.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE WITH SEBASTOPOL ?

The fall of Sebastopol is considered so certain in
Paris, not only by the public at large but by the two
Governments, that the question as to their future
conduct with respect to Russia has already been
discussed, or rather what is the next step that should
be taken when the fleets and the strongholds of the
Black Sea are destroyed. It is said that some.differ-
once of opinion has existed on this point. The
English Government are represented as desirous of
following up the destruction of Sebastopol by that
of all the forts or fortified places, if any, belonging
to Russia on the coast. With the Black Sea free,
the navigation of the Danube unrestricted, the

Bosphorus and Dardanelles open, the object for
which the war was undertaken, namely, the fall
of Russian domination in the East, is attained.
This it is said, does not come up to the views
of ;he French Government, who think that
rho occupation of the Crimea should at once fol-
low the capture of its principal stronghold, an.!
be made the base of further operations in the
southern provinces of Russia, and which are abso-
lutely necessary in case the Emperor of Russia
persists in refusing to come to terms. The value
of a successful campaign in the Crimea and on the
coasts of the Black Sea is fully admitted, but they
are not considered sufficient to warrant the cessa-
tion of hostilities in those parts of the Emperor's
dominions. It is thought, however, that this
difference of views, if it really exist, will be ar-
ranged.

THE WAR ON THE DANUBE.

A letter in the .Lloyd from Galatz, of the 11th,
states that several regiments of the army of Bessa-
rabia who were on their way for the Crimea have
received counter orders, the preparations of Omer
Pacha having made Prince Gortschakoff seriously
uneasy. On the 6th 300 Russians crossed the
Danube, to make a reconnaissance between Tul t,
scha and Isatscha. They were attacked by 250
Turks, and forced back across the river. The island
of the Danube in front of Galatz has been occupied
for several days by the Turks.
A letter from Bucharest of the Bth states that
Omer Paella has caused his troops bound for the
Dobrudscha to proceed by forced marches. Up to
the present time there have arrived there, or are
on their march, the division of the Ferick Ismail
Pacha, 10,000 strong ; the Stamboul guard, under
Hassan Pacha ; and lastly, the Turkish guard
newly organised, forming the advance guard. All
the winter quarters which were to le established
on the Danube have been countermanded.