The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-06 00:00:00

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS

RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

ORDER TO THE COMBINED FLEETS TO

ENTER THE BLACK SEA.

The Moniteur, of this day, contains a circular,
dated Dec. 30, addressed by the Minister of Foreign
Affairs to the legations of the Emperor in foreign
countries on the Eastern question. This document,
which is very moderate, but very firm, after nar-
rating the different phases of the question, declares
that France, England, Austria, and Prussia, have
recently by their agreement concerted at Vienna,
solemnly recognised that the territorial integrity of
the Ottoman Empire was one of the conditions of
their political equilibrium.

The affair of Sinope took place against all pre-
visions, Russia having declared that she only desired
a material guarantee for the fulfilment of what she
demanded.

To prevent the Ottoman territory or the Ottoman
flag from being the object of a new attack on the
part of the naval forces of Russia, the French and
English fleets have received the order to enter the
Black Sea.

The circular terminates by expressing the hope
that Russia will not expose Europe to new con-
vulsions.

A more detailed and correct account of the last
negotiations at Constantinople is given by the
Paris correspondent of the Morning Chronicle,
under date of yesterday.
There appears, he says, to .be a very general
misconception as to the precise facts of the recent
negotiations at Constantinople, which it may be
well to correct, though the matter may not, prac-
tically, be of any considerable importance. It is
an error to suppose that those negotiations have
had any reference to the Note agreed to by the re-
presentatives of the Four Powers at Vienna on the
sth of December. All the recent discussions at
Constantinople have had reference to a Note origi-
nally framed, a considerable time ago, by Lord
Stratford de Redcliffe, and which, after being mo-
dified and approved ylthe Western Governments,
was presented to the consideration of the Sultan's
Ministers. When the collective Note of the sth
December reached Constantinople, the ne-
gotiations on this scheme of Lord de Redcliffe
were so far advanced, and were proceeding so
favourably, that it was wisely resolved by the am-
bassadors of the Four Powers not to break off, in
favour of a new project, an arrangement which had
already nearly reached maturity. Accordingly, by
the concurrent determination of the four ambas-
sadors, the Vienna Note was withheld, and the
negotiations on that of Lord de Redcliffe were con-
tinued. It is, therefore, this Note of Lord de
Redeliffe's which Turkey is said to have accepted,
and which, if finally agreed upon, will be presented
to Russia with the sanction of the Four Powers. It
is understood, however, that Austria considers that
the chances of the project being accepted at St.
Petersburg would be greatly improved, were it pre-
sented to the Emperor by Austria and Prussia
alone ; and, as the Western Governments have, it
is stated, after some discussion, acquiesced in this
view—being a mere point of form—it will be pre-
sented by the two German Powers only. It is
considered, however, highly improbable that this
or any other proposal to which Turkey and the
Four Powers can accede, will meet with the accept-
ance of the Czar • and before the Note can reach
St. Petersburg, the question of peace or war will,
in all probability, have been already decided.
It may he right to state, lest unfounded infer-
ences should be drawn from the decisive orders re-
cently sent out to the English and French ambas-
sadors, that the physical obstacles to the effective
action of the fleets in the Euxine at this season of
the year are far more serious than is commonly
supposed; and in executing the instructions of the
French and English Governments, much must of
course be left to the discretion and judgment of
the ambassadors and admirals. There is, how-
ever, every reason to believe that the instructions
recently sent out were of so positive a nature
as to leave little room to doubt that the fleets
must, by this time, have entered the Black Sea
—unless, indeed, the weather has been so tem-
pestuous as absolutely to prevent them from
leaving the Bosphorus, which, it will be well to
bear in mind, is, besides Sebastopol, the only port
in the Euxine in which ships of war can find refuge.
In the meanwhile, the Governments of France and
England were never more cordially united than at
this moment, nor were they ever more firmly de-
termined to offer efficient and active resistance to
Russian aggression on Turkey. The persevering
attempts of the partisans of Russia, in the press and
in society, both here and in London, to create dis-
trust between the two powers are perfectly under-
stood ; and all these miserable fictions and innuen-
does which are intended either to disunite the
French and English Cabinets, or to stir up jealousy
between their respective Ambassadors or admirals,
only prove how much and how justly the Emperor
Nicholas dreads the powerful alliance of France
and England, and the formidable combined arma-
ment in the Bosphorus, which, with the most per-
fect good understanding between officers and men,
is eager to be summoned into decisive action.
The following is from Constantinople, of Dec.
25 :—On the 22d the resolution adopted on the
18th by the General Council convoked to deliberate
on the Note of Conference, and composed of all the
members of all the Ministries, Viziers, Menus,
Pashas, Ministers of the Army and Navy, and other
dignitaries of the empire, was notified. This re-
solution, unanimously adopted, shows that the
Sublime Porte, having chosen war to save order,
her rights, and integrity, will not reject peace if
these conditions are guaranteed for the future.
This notification adds that communication of this
decision has been made to the representatives of
the Four Powers, that the state of war still con-
tinues, and that not even an armistice has been
concluded, and that despatches, announcing what
had passed, had been sent to the commanders of
the armies in Europe and Asia, that no stop should
be put to the military operations. This proclama-
tion has calmed the public mind.
The insurrection of the previous day had decided
Government to fetch from Beycos three Turkish
steam-frigates, and a division of the united fleet.
During- the night of the 21st a Russian war-
schooner, the Aloupka, driven by a gale into the
Bosphorus, had been captured by Mustapha Bey,
commander of the fort of Anadoli Karak.

M. Kenikoff, director of the Political Chancellory
at Teflis, has departed for Persia and Affghanistan,
as Ambassador Extraordinary of the Czar ; he is
accompanied by a General and Russian staff officers.
He was expected at Teheran on the 30th of Nov.
Mr. Thompson, the British Chargé d'Affaires in
Persia, has succeeded in terminating the difference
which had existed between that country and
England. Ahmet Effendi, Turkish Charge d'Af-
faires, satisfied with the explanations of the Persian
Government, did not think it right to interrupt his
relations with the Shah.

The Consul-General of England had left Bu-
charest, and gone to the head-quarters of Omar
Pasha at Rustchuk.

A letter from Odessa announces that the camp
formed towards the end of the summer at Vasno-
censk, at about five leagues from that town , has
been broken up, on account of the extreme severity
of the season. The troops which compose it and
the reinforcements.newly arrived have been divided
between the garrisons of Ismail, Sebastopol, and
Odessa, where the corn warehouses have been con-
verted into barracks.

The Journal de St. Petersburg of the 24th ult.
gives the following intelligence from the Turkish
frontier of the district of the Caucasus :

" The supplementary news received to-day from
Prince Woronzoff, respecting the combats which have
taken place on the Turkish frontier, show how profound
an impression the victories gained by the Russian troops
at Akhalzick on November 26, and at Basck-Ladyk-
Lara, on December 1, have made on the inhabitants of
the Turkish provinces. The defeat of the corps of the
Seraskier of Erzeroum had for immediate result that the
strong Turkish detachment which was proceeding from
Bajazet to the province of Erivan, did not even wait
that the troops sent on the line of its communications
by General Prince Beboutoff should commence their
movement from Alexandropol, but withdrew in all haste.
As to the main Turkish body, defeated on December
1, it fled at once towards Kars with such haste that
it threw away everything that could retard its re-
treat. Our detachments of cavalry sent after it
succeeded on December 2,3, and 4, in seizing on
a considerable quantity of various kinds of stores
belonging to the enemy. On another hand, the con-
! sequence of the victory at Akhalzick, Was that the in-
, habitants of the Sandjack of Poskhoff-Tchai applied to
General Prince Andronnikoff, and supplicated him
earnestly to take them under his protection."
The inva/ifie _Busse publishes the following re-
script of the 10th of December, addressed by the
Emperor of Russia to Vice-Admiral Nachimoff :
"By the destruction of the Turkish squadron at
Sinope, you have illustrated the annals of the Russian
fleet by a new victory, which will be for ever memorable
in the navy. The statutes of the military order of St.
George point out the recompense which is due to you
for this exploit. In executing with real joy the pro-
visions of the said statutes, we appoint you Chevalier
Grand Cross 2d class of the order of St, George, re-
maining, with our Imperial friendship, yours affec-
tionately, " NicaoL.ts."
The Patric of Wednesday, in its latest intelli-
gence, quotes a letter from Malta of the 30th,

according to which the military commandant had
received orders from England to make all neces-
sary arrangements at tile arsenal for the establish-
ment of a reserve of artillery and ammunition
which was about to be forwarded from English
ports.

- Against this statement is to be set another made
from Paris by a correspondent of the Brussels
Independance—namely, that the British Cabinet
has formally decided not to send troops to the
Levant, and has notified to the French Govern-
ment that it will leave the question to the decision
of Parliament.

A letter from Orsova states that the Danube was
so full of floating ice as to completely interrupt its
navigation, even by transport barges.
Sickness and want are making fearful ravages in
the camp at Kalafat. It is said that not more than
one-third of the troops are in health. The number
of the troops returned to Widdin, since the com-
mencement of winter, is between 10,000 and
12,000.

By the completion of the telegraph to Orsova
Vienna is brought much nearer the Danubian
Principalities only sor 6 hours are now required.
to transmit despatches from Kalafat to Vienna.
The communication with Shumla has lately been
greatly interrupted by fearful storms and. heavy
falls of snows. 24,000 men are still stationed in.
Lesser Wallachia. The numerous English volun-
teers who have arrived during the last seven weeks
are stationed at Widdin, Rutschuk, and Matschin.
Their uniforms are often very droll, but they
enter into all the pleasures of the war, from hunt-
ing to the digging of entrenchments, with the
greatest zest.

_
From Odessa, Dec. 14, we learn that 800 Turkish
prisoners of war are collected there, and that a
cartel for an exchange was spoken of.
FRANCE.

Among the rumours that circulated yesterday
afternoon in Paris was one, taken from a German
paper, that the Russians had obtained possession
of Batoum. Another report was to the effect that
the French Government is about to order a levy of
150,000 men, and that the decree will soon appear
in the Moniteur. It war be declared, an addition
will, no doubt, be made to the army ; and, in the
meantime, there is no discontinuance of prepara-
tion for such an emergency.
The Moniteur publishes a decree on the proposi-
tion of the Minister of the Interior, appointing an
official costume for the members of the Councils-
General of the departments.
The ball on Wednesday night at the Tuileries
was very brilliant. The men were either in uni-
form or Court dress. About 5,000 persons received
invitations.

The arrival of the mail from England continues
to be irregular. The evening papers and Letters
due on Wednesday were not delivered till yester-
day morning, and yesterday at a late hour the
evening papers, but not the morning.
A further fall took place in the price of public
securities at the Bourse to-day. Several defaulters
was declared, and various rumours were circulated
unfavourable to the Turkish arms in Asia,- and,
amongst others that the Russians had captured
Batoum. The Three per Cents. opened at 71f.
85e., and fell to 71f. 30c. ; they closed at 71f. 40c.
for the end of the month. The Four-and-Hall' per
Cents. closed at 99f. 75c. ; Orleans Railway shswes,
1,130 f. ; Rouen, I,ooof. ; Havre, 475 f. ; Great
Northern, 825 f. ; Paris and Strasburg, 7VOf. ;
Paris and Lyons, 867 f. 50c. ; Lyons to the Medi-
terranean, 720 f. ; Western of France, 650 f. ; 'Bor-
deaux and Cette, 590 f. ; Great Central, 492 f. 5 Oc. ;
Lyons and Geneva, 490 f. ; Shares of the Bauk of
Credit Mobilier, 68 Of.

DENMARK, SWEDEN, AND

NORWAY.

A telegraphic despatch from Hamburg announces
that, on the 27th of December, King Oscar of
Sweden and Norway communicated to the Swedish
Diet, in secret committee, the text of a treaty con-
cluded between him and Denmark, with a view to
assure their respective neutrality in case of a Euro-
pean war.

- Russia has been endeavouring to draw, not only
Denmark, but Sweden and Norway also, within
her grasp, to serve as bulwarks in case of a
European conflagration. Russia has failed in :her
object. The Governments of Denmark and Nor-
way and Sweden had addressed an identical Note
to all the Courts of Europe, containing a declara-
tion of strict neutrality in the case of a European
war consequent upon the complications of the
Eastern question.

This Note is drawn up in clear and precise
terms.

The Note commences by establishing that these
complications iu the Eastern question have imposed
upon the Governments of Sweden and Norway, and
Denmark the obligation of devoting their serious
attention to the consequences that might result
therefrom ; and that, therefore, they considered it
a duty to make known to all the Governments
with which they desire to continue the maintenance
of friendly relations, the line of policy which they
propose to follow in case of a European war.
The cordial friendship which unites the Sove-
reigns and the people of the two States, as well as
the community of interests and political principles,
have induced the Danish and Swedish Governments
to hold counsel together, and they have agreed
on the measures to be adopted eventually, so as to
establish a common action, of a nature to facili-
tate by its identity the application of the system
agreed upon, which consists in the most strict neu-
trality. _ _

In conformity with the resolutions thus agreed
upon in common the two Governments have no-
tified to the different European Governments,
each respectively, the general rules which they
propose to apply, which are as follows :--
Abstention during the struggle that may take place
from all participation, direct or indirect, in favour of one
belligerent party to the detriment of another.
Admission into Swedish, Danish and Norwegian ports
of the men-of-war and merchantmen of those same belli-
gerent parties, each of the two Governments reserving
to itself, however, the right of prohibiting the entrance
of the said vessels into certain ports, or into certain
basins of those ports, an interdiction which will naturally
be extended to the vessels of all the belligerent parties.
Permission to said vessels to provide themselves at
the ports of the two monarchies with all goods and
merchandise they might stand in need of, with the ex-
ception of articles regarded as contraband of war.
Exclusion from the entrance and from the sale, in the
said ports, of war prizes, &c.
Such are the principal points of the neutrality
declared in this Note. The Sovereigns of Denmark
and Sweden and Norway, on the other hand,
claim for the vessels of their respective States the
right of the continuance of enjoying safety and
every facility in their commercial relations with the
belligerent Powers, under the obligation of sub-
mitting to the rules of the law of nations in special
cases of blockade, &-c.