The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-25 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1854.

Russia has virtually refused compliance with
the peremptory demand of France and England
for the immediate evacuation of the Principalities.
Virtually refused—because the CZAR declines to
give any reply whatsoever to the ultimatum of the
Western Powers, according to the notification
made to the British Consul at St. Petersburg on
the 19th instant by Count NESSELRODE. A. tele-
graphic intimation to this effect was received last
evening in Paris, stating that on that same day, the
24th of March, an English courier had passed
through Berlin bearing this virtual refusal, on the
part of the Russian AUTOCRAT with all speed to
his Government. After all his vain-gloriousbluster-
ing about giving an answer to the ultimatum in six
minutes, the Emperor NICHOLAS gives no answer at
all—his silence having for its object of course the
yet further prolongation of the time which must
necessarily elapse before the actual commence-
ment of hostilities. Now, so far as any occur-
rence involving the deplorable necessity of a
general war can be so, this is well. It is well, for
inasmuch as the course pursued at this last junc-
ture by the AUTOCRAT relieves the public mind
from any further uncertainty. It is well, for in-
asmuch too as it enables the Administrators of
France and England to put everything at once in
readiness for the energetic beginning of the
struggle directly the season has sufficiently
advanced to admit of the safe navigation
of the Black Sea by the combined fleet
under Admirals DUNDAS and HAMELIN, and
of the Baltic by the combined fleet, under the
command of Admirals NAPIER and DESCHENES.
That desirable moment is now rapidly approaching.
The arrival of the middle of April will have opened
both seas to our naval armaments. Consequently
there is just the reasonable interval before us to
enable the Allies of Turkey to forward the final in-
structions to the maritime Commanders-in-Chief
in one direction at Beycos, and in the other at
Copenhagen. Those instructions, it cannot any
longer be doubted, will be to adopt the most
resolute proceedings for the speedy settle-
ment of the dread alternative at issue—the
triumph of Russian Barbarism, or the com-
plete, and decisive, and overwhelming victory
of the champions of modern civilisation. The
providence of Ministers, both at Paris and at
London, has happily afforded the latter cause the
advantage of every national preparation. Squad-
rons of extraordinary fo.ik; have already in this
way been despatched betimes to the Euxine and
to filo Baltic—of such warlike capacity, in fact,
that the most recently organised of these vast
armaments, the one committed to the guidance
of the hero of Acre consists of a fleet carrying
more than one thousand three hundred guns, in
vessels of war propelled by steam of upwards of
nine thousand horse-power, and manned by
more than ten, thousand of our gallant sailors.
Armed in this manner, allied both by sea
and by land with her mighty neighbour
across the Channel, entering upon the conflict in
the name of justice, in defence of the weak, in
vindication of honour and of truth, and of the
glory of all civilising influences, England may,
not without some reasonable confidence, look for-
ward with all encouraging hopes to the ultimate
consequences of the great battle upon which she
is at this moment about to adventure.

Englishmen, we may say unanimously, are in
favour of this war against the Russian AUTOCRAT.
France is allied in the same cause, cordially and
actively allied with England. Justice is on their
side, truth is on their side, honour, right, and
magnanimity. If Russia has been enabled by the
lapse of time consequent upon these abortive nego-
tiations to prepare for the encounter, the same
advantage has been presented by the same inter-
val to France and England—and of that advan-
tage the Western Allies of Turkey have
to the full availed themselves. Insomuch
has this been the case, that we may aver
without exaggeration, that never were the two
countries more completely armed against their
enemies—the avowal has reference alike, more-
over, to the maritime and military departments of
the public service—to ships and battalions, to
cavalry and infantry, to the ordnance and the
commissariat, to valour and patriotism, to disci-
pline and general organisation.

Superior to Russia in the justice of their cause
and in the perfection of their warlike arrange-
ments, France and England have another and a
very notable advantage over their huge antagonist.
They have a more ample, and a more reliable, and
a more creditable supply of the sinews of war—
meaning money. Is it not notorious that the
CZAR has been compelled to obtain pecuniary
supplies for the payment of the expenses incurred
by his struggle with Turkey, aided by the two great-
est Powers of Christendom by a forced loan, that is
to say, by funds accumulated through a wholesale
and direct robbery of the Russian population ?
And is it not equally well known that France and
England have, at once, readily, and as it were
spontaneously furnished the "wherewithal" to their
Governments respectively ? Why in the British
House of Commons the Income Tax—the most
obnoxious of all the Taxes—was immediately
doubled for the next half-year, at the suggestion
of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and without
a murmur from the Opposition ! ,While among
our neighbours what have we not witnessed
in the way of a kindred enthusiasm, in the way
of patriotic support to the Imperial Government ?
Why, then, in France as in Russia a loan was
demanded from the population ; but while in
Russia it was a forced loan, in France the loan
was voluntary ! A voluntary loan of 250,000,000
francs—the contributions to which loan, by the
way, have already so far exceeded the demand
that they have reached the enormous total
of 400,000,000 francs ! Justly—beholding
all these things justly may we assert
that France and England never were before
so fully prepared for an encounter with their
great antagonist. That encounter is now in-
evitable. Inevitable we have believed it to be
from the very commencement, and have asserted
as much again, and yet again through every
step of these dreadfully protracted negotiations.
But inevitable it is seen to be by the whole
world—including the long-suffering and long
sanguine French and English Governments.
The ultimatum having been virtually repulsed
by the refusal of the CZAR to give any answer
whatsoever to the peremptory demand therein sub-
mitted to him by the Western Powers for the
immediate evacuation of the Principalities—
the signal of conflict must very soon become
audible, either in the Iliuxine or in the Baltic, or

perhaps in both of those seas simultaneously.
GOD grant that the long-dreaded conflict, once
begun, may be terminated as rapidly as satisfac-
torily.

"An Englishman's House is his Castle." It
may be so ; but the owner must occasionally, for
public purposes, submit to a slight interference
with his privileges. An interference against
which no well-disposed person could object—
and which would not be resisted by men en-
gaged in legitimate pursuits. The cry of un-
due intrusion will never be raised by those whose
actions could bear investigation. It is only
criminals that would object to domiciliary visits,
the sole object whereof was the prevention or
punishment of crime. The principle of the
law, the very foundation of the rights of pro-
perty, teaches us that a man " must so use his
own as not to interfere with the comforts or
enjoyments of others," and any private right or
privilege that interferes with the general welfare
must be unhesitatingly surrendered.
The Attorney General has wisely availed him-
self of these principles, in the admirable measure
for the Suppression of Gambling Houses, which,
on Tuesday evening, he introduced to the House
of Commons. We cannot suppose that the pro-
position of the Right Honourable and Learned
Gentleman will meet with any serious oppo-
sition. It seems well calculated to achieve
the object in view, and to finally close the door
of these dens of iniquity, which have been pro-
perly denominated " Hells," and which have led
to the destruction of many promising youths, and
of the well-founded hopes of anxious parents. It
would have been far better to have allowed the
dangerous and demoralising practice to have been
followed openly and without restriction than to
have sanctioned the habitual and notorious vio-
lation of the law. The very publicity would
have prevented the mal-practices that existed in
many of the establishments, to which mystery
lent a charm. Any person inclined to indulge in
the " forbidden luxury," found plenty of men of
gentlemanly manners, and unexceptionable ap-
pearance, ready to assist at his initiation—who
were, perhaps, equally ready to receive a per-
centage on the sums which he may have lost in
his dangerous experiments. " Rooks" and
" Pigeons" abounded in every direction. Some,
who having lost all that they possessed, were
ready to act as " decoy ducks" to other victims,
and to participate in the plunder obtained from
new gulls—while other " fast young men" were
ready to inoculate their fellows with the
virus of the disease that has uprooted
many flourishing stocks, and reduced to beggary,
perchance to infamy, numerous respectable and
once distinguished families. Between knaves and
fools plenty of victims were to be found to be
sacrificed at the shrine of Mammon victims
who, after a brief career, joined the ranks of the
tempters—prepared to involve others in ruin simi-
lar to that which had blasted their own prospects,
and destroyed their sense of honour and honesty.
There was, then, no difficulty for any person pos-
sessed of the only qualification required—plenty
of money. The portals flew open at his approach.
The janitors made profound obeisance as he passed.
Every luxury was supplied (gratuitously) in un-
restricted abundance. The richest viands tempted
his appetite—the most expensive wines excited
the passions, and induced the reckless gambling
that followed. All these things could not be sup-
plied for nothing. If the parties did not pay
directly, they did so indirectly. Men would not
engage in an infamous occupation, and bear a
lavish expenditure, unless certain of large profits,
and if the " pull of the table" was not sufficient
for that purpose, there were few keepers of such
establishments who were not prepared to " make
assurance doubly sure," which, from the mystery
and secrecy necessarily observed, was easily ac-
complished. The existing state of affairs was
even more prejudicial than if the " alluring vice"
were practised openly in the broad light of day,
in place of in carefully guarded apartments at the
" witching" hour of night.
It might be supposed that the laws already in
force would be sufficient to put down the &en-
' gerous practice. Very stringent enactments were
passed for the punishment of the keepers and all
the players. Thar police were authorised to force
their way into any suspected house, and to bring
every person therein before a Magistrate, by
whom—if implements of gaming were discovered—
they could be summarily convicted, and sentenced
to severe punishment. But all these provisions
proved unavailing. The hell-keepers drove coaches
and six through all the enactments. The enor-
mous profits of their nefarious occupations enabled
them to buy off any evidence that might be ob-
tained, or, as it was termed, "to square it" with the
prosecutors, many of whom were bribed with por-
tions of the money which they themselves had
previously lost. They were thus secured against
every danger, save of detection by the police, and
that difficulty was soon conquered. Unscrupulous
men, possessed of unlimited resources, can over-
come most impediments. The precaution adopted
was the construction of barricades, so powerful that
they could not be broken down by any available
force, which might, as the Attorney-General re-
marked, " even afford a lesson to the Board of
Ordnance." During the time consumed in getting
rid of this obstruction, every implement of gaming
—all that could warrant a conviction—was re-
moved or destroyed. The parties found in the
house were taken before the Magistrate, to whom
they gave fictitious names and addresses, so that
exposure was avoided, and by whom they were
necessarily discharged forthwith and the law be-
came a source of ridicule to its habitual violaters ;
from constant impunity, it became

" The perch, and not the terror, "
of these birds of prey.
The Attorney-General prop oses to meet the
difficulty by making these defences that could not
be required for any legitimate purpose, prima
facie evidence of illegal gaming, so as to cast
upon the parties implicated the onus of rebutting
the presumption. The faot of having these de-
fences at all is also made a substantive offence
against the owners and occupiers of these esta-
blishments, rendering them liable to punishment.
The giving a false name by any person
present will also subject the party to a
fine or short imprisonment, so that there will be
no chance of avoiding the exposure so much
dreaded by the victims. Besides these, the Ma-
gistrate will be authorised to select those to be
proceeded against, calling the others as witnesses.
Such are the provisions of this excellent bill, pro-
visions that will, we have no doubt, prove as
effective as those last year aimed against the
" betting-office" nuisance, and thus remove one
of the deepest reproaches of the nation, and a
source of terror and dismay to many families.

MONEY MARKET

AND

COMJIEECIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.

Commodore Sir Charles and the Hon. Lady Hotham
embark, with their suite, on the 4th of the ensuing
month, on board the Queen of the South steamer, for
Melbourne, where Sir Charles will assume the govern.
ment of the colony of Victoria.
The Earl and Countess Howe, the ladies Curzon, and
the Hon. Frederick Curzon, have arrived in South
Audley-street from Gopsall Hall. The Hon. Major
Curzon, of the Grenadier Guards, who has been serving
on the staff at the Cape, is shortly expected to return to
this country with Sir George Cathcart, who comes to
England to assume his duties as Adjutant-General of the
Forces.

The sales of cotton tt Liverpool yesterday wero
estimated at 4,000 bales, all to the trade. The
market closed heavily, Railway Shares were dull
and heavy.
The state of the p?oduce markets is thus com-
mented on by Messrs. W. Jewesbury and Co. :

"We have again to report a general flatness in the
foreign and colonial prodtce markets, which, considering
the serious aspect, and mere certain prospect of war that
the Eastern Question has for some time assumed, is only
what must have been exrected. The demand for produce
has been exceedingly limited, and where holders have de-
termined to realise, they nave been obliged to accept lower
prices ; the exceptions to this state of things are articles of
Russian produce, and those which come into consumption
with them. Hemp of all descriptions has advanced mate-
rially in price, and higher rates still are demanded. Salt-
petre has also improved in value, as the prospects of peace
have declined. The deliveries from the warehouses con-
tinue large and satisfactory for home use and for export ;
they also rather exceed expectation than otherwise. The
importations for the month have been considerable, but the
stocks generally do not show any material alteration.
Dyes and dyeing materials have experienced the same want
of demand as other artides, and at the late public sales
prices have ruled in favour of the buyers, particularly for
cochineal and the lower qualities of lac dye. The finer qua-
lities of lac dye being comparatively scarce, maintain their
value, as also does indigo, but the extent of sales made
is very trifling. From the continental produce markets
I the late accounts report the same want of demand and
general flatness as has been experienced in our own.
In the cotton manufacturing districts there has been a
falling off in the demand both for export and some use, and
prices are rather easier. The woollen districts have also
been under the same influence, and very little business
has been done, but prices are without alteration."

The following is an account of the Liverpool wool
market, by Messrs. Browne, Hunter, and Co.:—

"The inactivity in the wool market which prevailed at
the date of our last circular still continues, which is attri-
butable to the dull state of trade in the manufacturing
districts, but with the exception of English wools and long
descriptions, there is no change in value to notice. The
East India wool brought forward in London at the
end of last month sold well. The large Government con-
tracts for army clothing, and the demand for blankets,
carpets, &c., gave an impetus to this description of wool,
and an advance of id. to ld. per lb. was realised, above
the rates obtained there in January last. The China wools
are still very unevenly packed, and much mixed with un-
washed • and it is of great importance that this serious
drawback should be remedied, for until this wool is sent
over well washed and properly packed the full value can-
not be realised. The sales consisted of 2,224 bales East
India, and 477 bales China, which sold at the following
prices : —East India, fino white 12d. to 13id., good 10d. to
llid., low to middling 8d to 9d.; yellow, low to middling
fid. to 7d., good to fine Bd. to 10,I.; pieces, 3d. to 5d.;
China, fair to good 70. to Bid , middling 7d. per lb. About
5,000 bales of East India will bo brought to auction here on
the 29th instant."

Upon the Russia trade Messrs. T. J. Smith and
Charles make the following observations :

" Our friends must be guarded against drawing the
hasty conclusion that, in consequence of the decision of
our Government, auy quantity of tallow will find its way
to England from Russia during the present year. This is
most improbable-Ist, because, as we showed on the 3d
inst., it is physically impossible to bring any considerable
quantity of goods overland ; and it must be remembered
that there are other descriptions of Russian produce that
would bear, better than tallow, the serious expenses of
such a route ; 21, because the utmost uncertainty pi evails
as to the political course Prussia may take in the coming
struggle, and, should she ultimately determine in favour
of Russia, British property in transitu would be placed in
great jeopardy—a consideration that will deter many mer-
chants from embarking in so hazardous a trade ; 3dly,
supposing that the neutrality of Prussia could be relied on,
and that it were possible to bring overland any large quan-
tity of Russian produce, it is doubtful whether the people
of this country and of France would long tolerate so obvi-
ous an evasion of a blockade, maintained at an enormous
expense, and by which evasion Russia would be enabled to
carry on the war with British capital."

The reduction in the amount of bullion held by
the Bank of England during the week to the 18th
inst. was very large, although not quite equal to
that which took place in the previous week. The
next return will probably show a falling off of
smaller amount, as the gold imported by the steamer
Sydney from Australia will have served partly to
meet the export demand. The circulation is rather
smaller on account of an increase in the deposits.
The loans and discounts were largely increased, an
indication of the pressure, and so far explanatory
of the impression that the minimum charge might
be raised. Compared with the previous week, the
changes are as follows :

Active circulation £20,783,850
Decrease 230,575
Bullion 14,822,839
Decrease 573,846
3,730,877
12,649
3,678,817
779,220
11,305,383
417,987
1,128,507
2,075
11,844,700
96,972
14,512,895

Rest
Increase
Public Deposits
Increase
Other Deposits
Increase
Seven-Day and other Bills
Increase
Government Securities
Increase
Other Securities

Increase 1,458,240
Notes unemployed 7,278,665
Decrease 347,990
The official statement of the Thrkish loan. wao
issued yesterday afternoon by Mesists. N. M. Roths:-
childs and Sons. The exact amount, it appears, is
2,727,4001., and Monday will be the last day for
applications. There must be 15 per cent. paid
upon allotment, 10 per cent. a month aftewards,
and 20 per cent. in the three succeeding months,
and the drawings for the redemption will take
place half yearly.
There was yesterday afternoon a slight improve-
ment in the rates for bills of exchange upon the
principal continental cities. Paris, 90 days, was
taken at 25 271 to 321 ; Trieste, at 13 40 to 50 ;
Hamburg, 13 5 to 5i ; and Amsterdam, 11 15
to 15k.
Bar silver is at ss. lid. per ounce, Spanish
pillar dollars are ss. sd. to ss. 7d., and Mexican
and South American ss. 0/d.
Th• exportation of gold from London direct dur-
ing the week to Thursday last was large, being 8764
ounces, and 50001., all for the continent, and of
silver 193,357 ounces, all for the continent, and
106/. to Sierra Leone.

The English Funds have not recovered from the
lower point to which they receded yesterday before
the close of business. Consols have been 87/ to 88
for transfer and account, the determination of Rus-
sia not to give any answer to the summons of the
Western Powers being fully anticipated. Exchequer
Bills are par to 2s. prem.
Foreign securities have been quite neglected,
and are merely nominal. Spanish New Deferred
have been 17i Russian 5 per Cents. are 84 ; and
Dutch 2i per Cents. 521.
Railway shares are rather more elastic, as some
of the parties who sold on speculation are buying
back to realise their profit. The French lines have
been much the same. _ _ _

The Duke and Duchess of Beaufort and youthful
family, who are staying at Badminton Park, where his
Grace and party are following the pleasures of the chase,
come to Berkeley-square at the close of the ensuing
month.

The shares of the Mining, Bank, and Land Com-
panies are still heavy. Oriental Bank and London
Joint Stock are cheaper ; also British American
Land.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(Prom the Official List. )
Business done.
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities B7i 8 7
Consols for Account 18th April B7i 8 7
Exchequer Bills, 21
21000
2500 ................................. .
Small .................. . ................ .

PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £ St B4 x d
Ditto 4i per Cent 73
Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent. l7l

Dividends on the above payable in London.
Dutch Exchange, 2i per Cent. 12 Guil s2i
TWO O'CLOCK.
Consols B7i 8
Ditto April Account. B7i 8

HAMMERSMITH.—THE POOR-LAW REMOVAL BILL.—
A large and influential meeting of the vestry of the
parish of Hammersmith was held on the 23d inst., to
consider Mr. Baines' new Poor-Law Settlement Amend-
ment Bill, when, upon the motion of Mr. Galbraith
seconded by Mr. Brown, it was resolved to petition
against the bill, and to be heard in support of the peti-
tion should the bill be sent to a committee of the house.
The petition was presented last night by Mr. Hors-
man, M.P.
NUMEROUS AND EXTENSIVE ROBBERIES.—Yesterday
information was received by the police that 21, New-
street, Covent-garden, had been plundered of 128/. in
gold, 1501. in silver, 2 101. and 1 51. Bank of England
notes ; also, 24, Tottenham-court-road, of 1401. in cash ;
also, the Cloudesley Arms, Cloudesley-place, Liverpool-
road, Islington, of a tin cash-box, containing 501. in gold,
a 101. and a 51. Bank of England notes ; also, from St.
Mark's College, Chelsea, a quantity of jewellery. value
70/. ; also, from the Windmill Tavern, Upper Ground-
street, Blackfriars-road, jewellery, value 30/., 111. in
gold, and 6/. in silver ; and from 7, Gloucester-terrace,
Regent's-park, silver plate, marked "J. E, 8.," of the
value of 150/.

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 25, 1854.

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

IMPORTANT FROM ST. PETERSBURG.
REFUSAL OF THE CZAR TO RETURN AN
ANSWER TO THE ANGLO-FRENCH ULTI-
MATUM.
The Times gives the following despatch of yesterday's
date from its correspondent at Berlin :
" Count Nesselrode has communicated to the English
and French Consuls that the Emperor will give no an-
swer at all to their joint summons."
Another despatch from St. Petersburg of the same
date, says :
" Russia has acknowledged the neutrality of Sweden.
"There is no change in the Danish Ministry.
" The Diet was to be closed on the 24th."
The Hamburg Correspondent has the following :
"According to advices from St. Petersburg, which
arrived here on the 16th inst., the Russian Government
proposes publishing various documents on the Eastern
question. Among the documents destined for publica-
tion are some letters written by Prince Albert."
It is believed in certain political circles here (says the
Paris correspondent of the Times, in his letter of yester-
day's date) that the intelligence received from Vienna
within the past few days is not very satisfactory. There
is perhaps no single fact, or no series of facts, alleged
against that Cabinet, but it is certain that in the
diplomatic correspondence or conversations which
have passed between the respective ministers,
there occur observations, comments, demands of expla-
nations, and conditions which give ground for suspicicn
as to the sincerity and firmness of Austria under circum-
stances like the present, when the only chance of safety
lies in the adoption of a marked and unequivocal line
of policy. These symptoms have appeared if not for
the first time, certainly more strongly within the last
fortnight, and the efforts of this Government to force
the Cabinet of Vienna to give a distinct explana-
tion of her intentions with reference to Russia have
not, it would appear, been as successful as was hoped.
The fault is attributed to Prussia, not perhaps so much
from-the influence she possesses over Austria as from
fear of the latter that if she were deeply engaged with
the Western Powers, her rival, by holding aloof, would
profit by her comparatively free position to advance her
own views in Germany. But whatever be the cause, a
good deal of discontent is observable at the conduct of
Austria, and I have reason to believe that her own am-
bassador in Paris is as little satisfied with it as the
French Government.
The Patric publishes a letter from Erzeroum, of the
2d inst., announcing that the Secretary of State, Bazi-
lewski, one of the attaclids of the Russian Legation at
Teheran, had passed through that city on his way to St.
Petersburg. He was said to be charged with a private
mission. t was reported at Erzeroum that Russian in-
fluence had experienced a last check in Persia, and that
notwithstanding the menaces addressed to the Shah,
that Sovereign had formally refused to attack Turkey.
Accounts from Odessa, of the sth inst., mention the
arrival of Prince Woronzo a, at Sebastopol, for the pur-
pose of inspecting the fortifications of the place.
The Belgian Government has called the attention of
the arinourers of Liege to the serious consequences that
might result for them, if, in the present circumstances,
they sold arms to Russia, as it was not doubtful that
England and France, either by their cruisers or other
means, would intercept them on the way. They would
expose themselves to the same danger if they attempted
to send arms to the Greek insurgents, the transit of
weapons of war through Germany being prohibited.
The steam-frigate Asmodee has arrived with de-
spatches for the Government from Constantinople, which
she left on the 14th inst. Their contents have not
transpired. The ship-of-the-line Duperr6 came out of
dock to-day ; she will shortly sail for Brest to join the
fleet fitting out for the Baltic.
The equinoctial gales have set in with great violence;
it has been blowing strong from the west all day.
A letter from St. Petersburgh of the 12th, in the
Frankfort Journal, says :—" In consequence of the
northern, western, and eastern provinces of Russia
being placed in a state of war, the Commanders-in-Chief
are taking measures to put the provinces and ports
which may be exposed to an attack by sea, in a state of
defence. All the inhabitants on the coast have been
warned that they will have to watch over the safety of
their property and families, should the town which they
inhabit be bombarded by the English and French ves-
sels. Reports arrive from the interior of the empire
relative to the solemn publication of the Imperial
manifesto announcing to the people the cessation of diplo-
matic relations between Russia and the Western Powers.
That publication was accompanied in the cathedral of
Moscow by thanksgiving, for the victories already
gained. The ceremony took place in presence of the
civil and military authorities. The Gulfs of Bothnia and
of Finland are still frozen over. It is said that 30,000
persons are employed in cutting the ice in this latter.
General Ermentoff has received orders to proceed to
-the Crimea with 12,000 men to occupy Kaffa and
several points of the Black Sea, and in general to watch
the south-west coast from Sebastopol to Kaffa. The
march of General Tscheodajeff's corps to Bessarabia
continues. By the Ist of May the active army in the
Principalities will amount to 200,000 men, admirably
equipped. A corps of reserve has been concentrated,
it is said, in Wolhynia,
.under the command of Gen.
Schinelnikoff, Governor of Zitornir. Men under 45
years of age cannot now obtain passports to cross the
frontiers."
It appears by the letters from Berlin of the 21st that
a warm opposition to the bill for a loan will be mani-
fested in the Second Chamber of the Prussian States,
unless the Government should give a more satisfactory
account of the policy which it intends to adopt on the
Eastern question, than that recently given by M. de
Manteuffel. The Committee on the bill have declared
that they will not vote the loan unless more satisfactory
information be given to the country.
A letter from Dantzic, 18th, says :—" The Chamber
of Commerce of this city has decided on sending a me-
morial to the King, in which it will point out the disas-
trous consequences to which the country will be exposed
if it does not unite itself on the side of the Western
Powers."