The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-26 00:00:00

FOREIGN.

THE EASTERN QUESTION.

_t:

-v.
(From the MorningrsB4------v
Intelligence of the most recent date, Tiara
Petersburg informs us that the Cza.r! 'nll:‘ 453
professions, is still apt for negsfiation seek;
to gain time. 4,;" -
The positive sincerity of the *Einperiir. of Russia/
can only be shown by positive retreht. LEiss Malt
this is deception.
But the Western Powers are no longer to be
deceived, nor will they again seek Russia with
propositions for arrangement. It is now for
Russia to propose and to negotiate ; but her
propositions and negotiations will not be enter
taMed, save on one imperative basis—her imme
diate withdrawal of her troops and her pretensions.
It is natural for Russia to seek time. She needs
, it. Her army in the Danubian Principalities
amounts, we confidently state, to but fifty thou-
sand men, of whom a vast proportion are ill—the
rest half-starved. She cannot reinforce Prince
Gortschakoff. The roads, rivers, and marshes are
impassable in many parts of the country.
She wishes, therefore, to juggle Turkey and amuse
the Western Powers till the spring, by which time
the Turkish treasury will certainly not be richer,
and the highlanders and volunteers, who at pre-
sent add much strength to the Sultan's forces, will
have probably been disbanded.
The wish of Russia will not be complied with.
Her necessities will not be consulted.
We are enabled to state that it was the intention
of Omer Pacha upon the termination of the delay
he had allowed, to cross the Danube and attack
the Russians. His army doubles theirs, and is
' fresh, well fed, and animated by the strongest feel-
ings of patriotism. Under these circumstances, it
is expected that he will inflict on the Russians the
defeat the deserve. The next intelligence from
the banks of the Danube will, therefore, be of sur-
prising interest.
The Emperor of Russia, up to the latest, pro-
fesses his intention to remain On the defensive.
This is absurd. Omer Pacha, in crossing the
Danube, does not act on the offensive. The Czar,
when he crossed the Pruth, assumed the offensive,
and has maintained it ever since.
The combined sleets of England and France
were to anchor before Constantinople on the 20th
of October. They are at the disposition of our
ally, and will proceed to such active operations as
may be deemed necessary.
The strength of Turkey, supported by England
and France, must prevail against Russia. How
long will the Czar combat with superior force ?
The endeavour to undermine right, to overthrow
justice, has been long, but hitherto fruitless. The
struggle becomes now one of material and physical
power. Wisdom dictates to Russia retreat. If
she listen to the voice of obstinate folly, she will
but trouble Europe, and ensure her own ruin.
Not only is absolute right on the side of Turkey
and her Allies, when they repel piratical invasion
and unjustifiable violation of the most sacred in-
ternational bonds, but their forbearance has been
of the most temperate and patient character. It is
now exhausted, and we cannot regret the severe
consequences that will ensue to Russia.
We look, then, with deep interest for the next
advices from what is, by this time, the seat of war.
We cannot doubt the success of the Turk, backed
by the Western Powers, in his struggle for the de-
fence of the Faith of Treaties, the integrity of his
Empire, and the progress of civilisation, against
the barbarous inroads of piratical ambition and
Northern Despotism.