The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-23 00:00:00

rumoured in the diplomatic circles that the Empe-
ror of the French, with the prudence and fore-
sight for which he is so much distinguished, took
a different view of the question from that of most
of the persons attached to his court; and, although
not disposed to blame M. de Lavalette for the zeal
he had displayed, took the first opportunity of
making concessions which ought to have removed
from the Emperor of Russia every pretext for coin-
plaint. Supposing, however, that Russia was
warranted in attributing to the representative of
France at Constantinople the difficulties which led
to remonstrance, the argument of the Constitution-
nel, that the concessions made to Russia afterwards
by Turkey, with the consent of the other powers,
ought to have put an end to the dissatisfaction of
Russia, and to have prevented new demands utterly
unconnected with the subject of the Holy Places,
is one which no diplomatic subtlety can refute. If
the French Government had merited the reproach
cast upon it by the Count de Nesselrode, ample sa-
tisfaction was given to Russia by the recal of M.
do Lavalette, and the readiness with which the new
French ambassador at Constantinople, in virtue of
his instructions, co-operated with the representa-
tives of the other powers in obtaining from the
Sultan new arrangements of a nature to satisfy the
honour of the Emperor of Russia to the fullest ex-
t it. The Constitutionnel says :
"As an expression of the opinions of the Czar, this
document has an incontestable importance, which does
not permit us to delay the publication of it. But in
giving it to-day we must make our reserves as to the
manner in which the facts are there presented and ap-
preciated. Several passages of this diplomatic docu-
ment call for observations which we will present to-
morrow, and at the same time we will correct what is
erroneous in the ideas expressed, and inexact in the in-
cidents related. We have specially remarked with sur-
prise a passage in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
in Russia, seems, in terminating, to make the origin of
the present difficulties ascend to the French Cabinet.
This is an accusation which facts have already denied,
since it is known that the special question of the Holy
Places was regulated to the satisfaction of all the Go-
vernments interested, when Prince Menschikoff created
much greater difficulties, by bringing forward new pre-
tensions in the name of the Czar. Until we shall be
able to discuss the circular of the Imperial Cabinet of
Russia, we must protest against this passage."
A letter from St. Potersburgh of the 13th states
that the Emperor Nicholas went the day before to
visit Cronstadt where the Russian fleet in the
Baltic is at present assembled. Cronstadt is about
twenty miles from St. Petersburgh.
The Portafoglio Maltese, of the 11th, quotes
letters from Trebizond, announcing that the Czar
having ordered Lieut. General Wrevsky to attack
Schamyl in his capital of Argille, the Circassians
saw themselves closely invested on 13th April by
40,000 Russians, and 36 field-pieces. Partial attacks
were made by the latter on different points ; but
Schamyl, prudently avoiding a general battle, ma-
noeuvred to get the Russians in such a position
as to close up their retreat and prevent their ad-
vance, and succeeded completely. He then attacked
them on all sides, and routed them with great
havoc, 23 guns and an immense quantity of pro-
visions falling into his hands. Five battalions of
Poles and irregular troops went over to the Circas-
sians on that occasion, and Schamyl subsequently
issued a proclamation, declaring that Russian de-
serters are henceforward to receive his protection.
The German Journal of Frankfort has the fol-
lowing from Berlin, dated the 18th :—" We learn
that, as regards the notes, which our Government
has sent to the Cabinets of London and St. Peters-
burgh, the neutrality recommended by the Presi-
dent of the Council is strictly observed, although
it has not responded entirely to the views of the
Russian Cabinet. M. de Radowitz and M. de
Gerlach both declared against this system of
neutrality, but with this difference, that the for-
mer thought it useful to adhere to the coalition on
the Eastern question, while the latter wished that
the demands of Russia should be recognised as
well founded, and that Prussia should even sup-
port them."
The Cologne Gazette, under date of Vienna 18th,
says :—" Lord Carlisle, who arrived here a few days
since from London, on his way to Constantinople
on a private mission, left yesterday for Pesth.
Lord Carlisle is said to be the bearer of definitive
instructions to Lord Stratford de Redcliffe."