The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-04 00:00:00

A- N FONEIGN EWS.

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

MANIFESTO OF THE EMPEROR
NICHOLAS.

At St. Petersburg, ou the 22d, the following
manifesto of the Emperor to his people, was pub-
lished :

" We, Nicholas 1., (to.,—
"We have already informed our beloved and
faithful subjects of the progress of our disagree-
ments with the Ottoman Porte.

" Since then, although hostilities have com-
menced, we have not ceased sincerely to wish, as
we still wish, the cessation of bloodshed. We enter-
tained
even the hope that reflection and time
would convince the Turkish Government of its mis-
conceptions engendered by treacherous instigations,
in which our just demands, founded on treaties, have
been represented as attempts at its independence
veiling intentions of aggrandisement. Vain, how-
ever, have been our expectations, so far.
" The English and French Governments have
sided with Turkey, and the appearance of the com-
bined fleets off Constantinople served as a further
incentive to its obstinacy ; and now both the
Western Powers, without previously declaring war,
have sent their fleets into the Black Sea, proclaim-
ing their intention to protect the Turks, and to
impede the free navigation of our vessels of war
for the defence of our coasts. After so unheard-of
a course of proceeding among civilised nations we
recalled our embassies from England and France,
and have broken off all political intercourse with
those Powers.

" Thus, England and France have sided with
the enemies of Christianity against Russia com-
bating for the orthodox faith.
" But Russia will not betray her holy calling ;
and, if enemies infringe her frontiers, we are ready
to meet them with the firmness bequeathed to us
by our forefathers. Are we not still the same Rus-
sian nation, of whose exploits the memorable events
of 1812 bear witness.

"May the Almighty assist us to prove this by
deeds. With this hope, combating for our perse-
cuted brethren, followers of the faith of Christ,
with one accord let all Russia exclaim—' 0 Lord,
our Redeemer I whom shall we fear ? May God be
glorified, and His enemies scattered.'
" St. Petersburg, 9 (21) Feb., 1854."

Letters from the Danubian Provinces assert very posi
tively that the Russian army is not at this moment in a
fit condition to assume the offensive, and the corps of
Osten-Sacken, in particular, is said to have lost nearly
half its number on the march from Bessarabia into Mol-
davia. Nevertheless, the intention is still attributed to
the Russians of making a desperate effort to dislodge the
Turks from Kalafat.
The Moniteur de la Flotte states that the instructions
sent by the Government of St. Petersburg to the Com-
mander of Sebastopol on the entry of the combined fleets
into the Black Sea commence by reminding him that the
maritime laws enacted by Peter the Great are still in
force, and that they are founded on the principle of not
risking the loss of ships of war for the empty glory ob-
tained in an unequal battle. It declares in consequence
that Russian admirals and captains ought not to take
the initiative in an action in which their forces are not
as three to two of the enemy. The instructions add that
the affair of Sinope was a meritorious action, because
the Russian Admiral had taken every precaution to at-
tain the object he had in view.
According to a letter from Hamburg, dated 28th ult.,
the Russian fleet is preparing to quit the port of Cron-
stadt, apparently in order to gain the sea before the
arrival of the combined fleets.

The negotiations between the Russian government
and that of Sweden are not yet terminated, and in the
present state of things apprehensions are entertained at
Stockholm that Russia, to give more weight to her de-
mands, will make a demonstration, and send her fleet
before that capital. But whatever Russia may do, the
Swedish government, it is said, cannot now abandon
the course which it has marked out.

The English steamer, the Hecla, on board of which
were several officers, charged to explore the coasts,
arrived at Copenhagen on the 25th. It was understood
that France and England have applied to have the com-
bined squadrons allowed to take up their stations in the
port of Kiel, which is both large and safe. This appli-
cation seemed to embarrass the Danish Government.
They had not given an answer to the demand on the

An order has been issued by the Danish Government
for all the soldiers of 1850, 1851, and 1852, who had
been discharged to rejoin their regiments on or before
the 11th of March.

We learn from Stockholm, 21st ult., that the Com-
mission of the State has approved of the proposition for
a credit of 2i millions of rix-dollars applied for by the
Government.

News from St. Petersburg of the 28th ult. state that
the Russian Government is greatly irritated against neu-
tral States, as it is convinced that they cannot maintain
their neutrality, and will join the Western Powers. It
was cone-idered certain that this would be done by Aus-
tria. As to Prussia, it was thought she would hesitate
to come to a determination unless forced to do so.
A letter from Berlin says the Russian army which is
to protect the coasts of the Baltic is to amount to 75,000
men. The Russian guards are to remain in Poland,
where they are to form a reserve. They are not to be
employed either on the Danube or on the Baltic.
A letter from Frankfort says it is affirmed that a corps
d'armee of 60,000 men is to be concentrated in the vici-
nity of that city. Coblentz and Rosbach are to be armed
and provisioned.

The Cologne Gazette contains a letter from Offenbach
of the 27th ult., which says :—" We can announce from
an authentic source that last Wednesday the Emperor
of Austria said to the Ambassadors of the Western
Powers, that, after the rejection of the last propositions
which he had made to the Cabinet of St. Petersburg, he
was ready to join in the alliance of the Western Powers,
and conjointly with them to summon Russia to evacuate
the Principalities, and in case of necessity to employ
force for that purpose. Count Buol Schauenstein has
confirmed that declaration in giving orders to reinforce
the corps of observation stationed in the Bannat by
25,000 men ; and he has, in addition, invited Prussia to
place on a war-footing two corps d'arm‘e to second the
operations of the Austrian forces. This energetic reso-
lution of Austria is easy to be conceived, if any one will
consider the dangers to which she would be exposed
should Russia establish herself in her vicinity."
The march of troops towards the south-eastern frontier
of Austria still continues. On the 25th two battalions
left Vienna, and another was to follow in a few days.
The Lloyd of Vienna has received another warning for
the insertion of articles offensive to Russia.

The Cassel Gazette, under date of Vienna 26th ult.,
says :—"The decree of the government prohibiting the
export of arms, ammunition, &0., was caused by the
Greek insurrection in the province of Arta. The export
to the other Turkish provinces is permitted. The rising
of the Christians in the Epirus is the more severely
blamed, as France, England, Prussia, and Austria, have
resolved to obtain equality of rights for the Christians,
and as this revolt can have no other result than to cause
a useless bloodshed. If the insurrection makes progress,
it may happen that in accord with Turkey, and for the
interest of her own safety, Austria will send troops into
the Turkish provinces adjoining her territory,"