The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-08 00:00:00

NEW PROPOSITIONS FROM RUSSIA.

From Vienna we learn by telegraph that new
propositions have arrived there from St. Peters-
burg, and were to be forwarded to Paris and Lon-
don that evening.

The proposals consist in counter-propositions to
the peace project of the 13th January.
Russia has sent a draft of preliminaries of peace,
offering to evacuate the Principalities the moment
these are signed.
The Conference at Vienna considers these terms
unacceptable, as the concessions now made do not
comprise all that the last project demanded.

Captain Blackwood, Queen's messenger, conse-
quently left for St. Petersburg, with the ultimatis-
simum from the Western Powers, after two days
detention at Vienna.

The Emperor Nicholas and his family have left
St. Petersburg to take up their temporary residence
in the city of Warsaw, where the Czar hopes that
he will be able to exercise his influence more effec-
tually against Prussia and Austria.
Advices received from Constantinople of the 25th
ult. state that hostilities were still suspended in
consequence of the extreme cold. Sixty pieces of
artillery had been landed at Trebizond and
Batoum.

The terms proposed by Russia are in no degree
more favourable than the last overtures from St.
Petersburg, which the Conference at once rejected.
The Emperor Nicholas had, no doubt, hoped, by
these new propositions, to detach Austria from the
Western Powers ; but, owing to the great judg-
ment and perfect loyalty with which Count Buol
has acted, the scheme has completely failed.

The Emperor Francis Joseph left on Monday
night for Munich.

The Austrian Government has opened a sub-
scription for a lottery loan of 50,000,000 florins,
at 90. It has been very favourably received.
Persia, which remains neutral, is fortifying her
frontiers towards Turkey. If the Affghans attack
Candahar, Persia offers to mediate. The Khan of
Khiva has sought a refuge at Bokhara, and calls
upon the neighbouring khans to join him against
the Russians.

Three Russian vessels have been at Trieste.
Their crews return overland.

The Austrian Government has published an
official document, in which it makes known its
views in regard to the differences between Ruesio.
and Turkey. In this document the Austrian Go-
vernment expresses regret that the communica-
tion sent by the Western Powers to Russia is of
such a nature as to leave hardly any hope of a
favourable reply. The document proceeds to say
that "it was never doubted by the Imperial Govern-
ment that the demands of those Powers were just,
and in accordance with the interests of Europe.
Till the very last, the Imperial Government has
obeyed the calls of duty to Europe, and those of
friendship to its Imperial ally. Should war take
place, the sole duty of the Austrian Government is
to maintain the interests of the nations under the
sceptre of his Majesty, which interests are not in
conflict with those of any other nation. Austria
is prepared to meet the dangers which may accrue
from a great war in an adjoining country, and
from the subversive tendencies which may manifest
themselves on the frontiers of the empire during
the continuance of that war."
From Kiel, March 5, a letter states that the
English Government steamer Hecla, had arrived
there. She had reconnoitred the Baltic ports, and
reports the Belt and Sound free of ice. Kiel is fit
for the reception of the fleets.

KALAFAT.

The Special Military Correspondent of the Morn-
ing Chronicle writes from Kalafat on Feb. 9th :
The last few days have been exciting ones at
Kalafat. The attack which had been so long ex-
pected appeared positively to be about to take
place. On the 7th of February, the Russians
showed themselves in force ; three battalions of
infantry, with two regiments of cavalry, debouched
from the road to Golenz ; while nine battalions,
accompanied by a similar force of cavalry, showed
themselves on that to Pojana. The number of
guns is differently estimated at 48 and 54. The
former number appears most probable. The force
was spread over a semicircle completely enclos-
ing the fortifications, which are six thousand
paces in extent. From all that has been
seen of the enemy during the last ten days, it
may safely be said that there is one division ob-
serving Kalafat--that is, four regiments or sixteen
battalions, accompanied by thirty-two guns and
two horse artillery batteries attached to the cavalry
—total forty-eight pieces. Two regiments of cavalry
and Cossacks, and one rifle battalion, of which arm
there is one per corps d'armee, fill make the
17th battalion. This force, of about 14,000 men,
appeared before Kalafat, and drew out the fire
of most of the batteries ; they continued manceuvring
during three hours, firing round shot at intervals at
the few Bashi-buzouks who were venturesome
enough to remain outside. All the hay and straw
which the Cossacks found they diligently set fire
to ; so that soon the whole country behind ap-
peared in a blaze. The object of this was, clearly
enough, to make it difficult to feed the cavalry at
Kalafat. But in this they have utterly failed, as
forage of all descriptions is abundant. The troops
remained under arms from eleven or twelve o'clock
at noon till four, when the Russians having retired,
they did so likewise. The same evening large fires
were observed in every direction towards the Rus-
sians, fires that could not be mistaken for bivouac
fires ; this was the forage which they continued dur-
ing the night and the following day to burn. Achmet
Pacha on the same evening, about 10 p.m., made a
reconnaissance towards Golenz. He took with him
nine squadrons of cavalry, 200 Bashi-buzouks, and
four guns. As a patrol it might be well enough,
but as a reconnaissance his night march did him
small honour. On reaching the hillock within a
quarter of an hour of Golenz, the force was Malted,
the Bashi-buzouks alone feeling their way ahead.
Two Cossacks were seen galloping away, though
far out of range of firearms. One or two Bashi-
buzouks fired, and firing among soldiers spreads
like a plague ; in an instant there were two
hundred muskets discharged at nothing at all.
No ; not, perhaps, at nothing at all ; for there were
a number of haystacks there. This imaginary
enemy was considered very obstinate in not retiring,
so the guns were brought up. They fired seven
rounds towards Golenz, awakening the echoes of
the night. It is not known whether any one else
was similarly inconvenienced, for there was no
reply. The force then retired, having gained not
a particle of information as to the whereabouts of
the enemy. But the farce was not yet finished.
Half way home guns were unlimbered, and three
shells fired towards Pojana—distant five miles, or
thereabouts—after which feat of arms the force
returned home. On their entry into the lines, the
whole army was found under arms in the trenches ;
the three guns fired towards Pojana had been
heard, and were imagined to be a signal of alarm
from the reconnoitring force. This bit of child's
play has been the subject of ridicule through the
whole camp ; the commander's reputation, already
not too high, has suffered accordingly.
Yesterday aft9rnoott (Bth) three battalions of in-
fantry, four SqUadrOßJ4 of cavalry, and twoO