The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-16 00:00:00

DEFEAT OF THE RUSSIANS BY

SCHAMYL.

Our columns this morning contain the most satisfac-
tory intelligence which has yet been received from the
seat of war in Asia. After the intrigues and imbecility
which have hitherto characterised the proceedings of the
Turkish army in Armenia, it is refreshing to turn to the
vigorous inroad of Schamyl and his Circassian followers
into the very heart of Georgia, and to calculate the
amount of injury which he has inflicted on the common
enemy. In a great battle near Tiflis the Russians were
utterly defeated by their old and implacable foe. They
lost, we are informed, "many men, seven guns, 3,000
tents, and all their baggage," and, in addition, " all the
provisions and ammunition of the Russians fell into the
hands of the victors." It is by exploits such as these—
by hard and frequent blows on well.fought fields, and
not by diplomatic negotiations or by naval elemonstra-
tions, which lead to nothing—that the Emperor Nicholas
will be brought to feel the hopeless nature of the struggle
into which he has rushed, and that peace will be restored
to the world. No wonder, then, that after such a signal
overthrow, the Russian power in Georgia should totter
to its fall, and that Prince Bebutoff shOuld be summoned
from Armenia to restore, if possible, the fallen fortunes
of his Imperial master.
_ -

Simultaneously with the news of Schamyl's victory
came the intelligence that the rupture between Persia
and the Porte was complete. We hope that none of our
readers will be weak enough to imagine that the conduct
of Persia has anything to do with the issue of the struggle
between Russia and Turkey. Persia is the Prussia of the
East, and the policy of the Court of Teheran has been as
vacillating as that of Berlin. When the Turks gain a
victory the Russian Envoy is dismissed, and when the
Russian fortunes are uppermost the Turkish Mi-
nister is suddenly requested to leave the country.
Despised or detested by all Powers alike, the Shah
of Persia owes his political existence to the long suffer-
ance of England, for, if it suited us to take any notice
of his misconduct, the appearance of a few vessels in the
Persian Gulf, barrying a very small portion of onr Bom-
bay army to the port of Bushire, would soon bring out
that double-faced Potentate on his knees. On such a
Sovereign, to-day Turk and to-morrow Russian, but who
is really at the mercy of England, the influence of a
British Envoy ought to be supreme ; and for this rea-
son, without wishinc, at all to disparage the exertions of
those diplomatists whob have lately represented this coun-
try, at the Court of the Shah, we are glad to see from
an announcement in the last night's Gazette, that British
interests are about to be cared for at Teheran, and that
Mr. Murray, formerly Consul-General in Egypt, and
lately British Minister at Berne, is to proceed as Pleni-
potentiary to Persia. A better appointment could
not have been made, and we have little doubt that the
energy and ability of Mr. Murray will exercise the most
salutary influence on the policy of the Shah.—Times.

THE POLICY OF TEE PRUSSIAN COURT.

_____...______.
The policy of the Prussian Government at this crisis
of the affairs of Europe is not to be disguised by any
subtleties of diplomatic language, or any affectation of
impartial motives. The truth is plainly discernible
through all the veils with which it is hoped to disguise
it, and every observer of European politics is perfectly
aware that Prussia has not only been false to the cause
which she herself approved, but is doing all that lies
in her power to frustrate the snore generous exer-
tions of others. No sophistry of explanation
or argument can affect the simple facts of the case
before the public. A serious dispute exists between
Ruisia and Europe, originating in an aggression of the
former power upon a neighbouring State, which was
held to be a violation of European law, and, as such,
calling for European intervention. In the exercise of
this intervention, and for the enforcement of those
ss i 8 p
prin-
ciples by which the peace of Europe, like the internal
ia to the abandonment of
h
peaceendeavouring
ne rd e
on ffvooef
un
rsiianynveg
tclaims, particular
ai compel
s ,
and State,
to the Observance of pub-
lie u
France have resorted to arms, anudaheld
are at Elathnigsnd and
moment
lie law. Now, it would bo competent to Prussia, or
to any other Government, either to take a different
view of the original quarrel and to pronounce Rus-
sia in the right, or to maintain
pose to her as conditi of eace were oppressive
that, though Rus-
sia might have been wrong, the terms now pro-
andd severe. But neitherons of these positions has been
token by the Prussian court. That court has expressly
acknowledged—first, that the view taken by the Western
ic neet ofhta hveese beena admissions
unceasingly
ducted the
Powers of Russia's conduct was entirely justifiable ; and
next, that the terms of peace which these Governments
have offered were such as ought to have been accepted.
, but does all in
defiance
of Russia and the em-
barrassment i
effortsreevcetret
dhoefl
towards
thess , i n direct
Prussianprotection
barrassment of her assailants. Prussia not only refuses
herer
Russian aidp
power
w inesrucbtaotrersrycf iurne,geen,the
nh :alai
palliator
intoffesene
dv
eeerrx.ye execution,
supports every
Russian
a n 0
ff e n c e
and
is unremitting in her endeavours to prevent Austria, from
co-operating actively with France and England. Con-
scious of the blame which such conduct must incur, she
has now attempted to vindicate her policy by a reference
to the particular interests which she was bound to con-
_ -
sult, and as if they supplied no incitement to active in-
tervention.

/
We think it would not be difficult to show that, as far ',
as any such distinction of interests can be drawn, those
of Germany are certainly more nearly involved in the
pending quarrel than those of France or England. It
surely concerns Germany more than any other nation
that the navigation of the Danube should be free, nor could
any Governments be more interested than the German
Governments in the maintenance of the principles which
secure a weak State from the aggressions of a strong one.
The first glance at a map of Europe will show that Eng-
land and France would be the last to he devoured in the
case of a Russian advance upon the Wrest, nor has it
ever been pretended that these Powers are promoting 1
any interests of their own in the war they have under-
taken. Ou the contrary, it has been explicity declared
in the State papers of the two Governments, that they
look for no territorial acquisitions, or other similar ad-
vantages, but are actuated solely by the desire of re-
dressing the grievance presently suffered by the Otto-
man empire, and of preventing the recurrence of any such
disturbances in future. The obligations incumbent upon
the Western Powers in this respect were simply identi•
cal with those incumbent upon the. Governments of
Germany, for they consisted merely in the common duty
of upholding public law, and to this duty one State can
be no more bound than another. To assert that German
interests are not involved in the decision of the dispute

As it happens, this conduct is not likely to have
much influence on the eventual result of the con-
test. A more honest course of policy might indeed
have brought the war to a more speedy termination ;
but the forces of France and England will, it may be
reasonably assumed, prove quite sufficient for effecting
the purposes in view, and Prussia will be left in the posi-
tion to which such proceedings must consign her. We
cannot, however, omit to point out a moral which a cer-
tain class of politicians among ourselves may draw from
these events, and which must prove, we should think,
immediately fatal to the theory of international " arbi-
tration." Who, in European differences, could be arbi-
trators except the representatives of the controlling
Powers of Europe ; and how could an impartial arbitra-
tion be anticipated from umpires, some of whom, as is
now shown, do not hesitate to consider the interests of a
political party as superior even to the requirements of
justice put on record by themselves The operations of
the allied forces will soon, we trust, enable Europe to
look with profound indifference on the politics of Prus-
sia ; but this conduct of a Power pretending to no in-
considerable weight in the affairs of the world should not
be lost sight of in future times.—Times.

OUR TRADE AND COMMERCE IN TIIE

PACIFIC.

A considerable degree of apathy and indifference still
prevails respecting the extension of our commercial re-
lations with the islands and States situate in the Pacific
Ocean. This can scarcely result in the present day,
from inadequate knowledge of their position and re-
sources, but most probably arises from a concentration
of attention on other points, to which the tide of com-
merce has been more directly turned. Still it cannot be
denied that we aro too ready to abandon all the most
prosperous and lucrative sources of trade in that quarter
to American enterprise ; and even the French are
stealing a march on us in commercial transactions among
the equatorial island groups to the Pacific.

The whole of the Pacific Ocean is studded with islands
abounding in every species of tropical production, whose
riches are, to a great extent, at present unknown and un-
sought. In those islands are to be procured trepang,
or bdch4-de-mer, arrowroot, cocoa-nut oil, tortoiseshell,
timber of various descriptions, sponge, matting, fibres, and
coarse rope, together with various fruits. There also is
a soil capable of growing all tropical produce, if encou-
ragement were but given to the natives to cultivate it.
The Pacific Islands were long since called " the West
Indies of the Southern Hemisphere." The internal
traffic of the Pacific has scarcely yet commenced. ; that
traffic of the Pacific depends on a natural law—the bene-
ficial exchange of the productions of one climate for those
of another.

The American coast west Of the Rocky Mountains is
now peopled by a hardy, enterprising, and persevering
race of men, who are destined to become the lords of the
Pacific Ocean. Already, within the short space of four
or five years, half a million of people have settled in the
New States, in the far north-west, and, under their in-
fluence, the waters between Asia and America will be-
come—what the waters of the Western Hemisphere
have long been—the high road to commerce. Although
the 'Pacific trade is yet in. its infancy, the op-
portunities and channels for its expansion are im-
mense. Three years ago the British trade with
the South Seas and the Pacific) amounted in value
to 3,000,0001., and oar trade with the South
American States on the Pacific to 2,250,0001. more ;
whilst the value of the United States' exports, in 1851,
to the South American States on the Pacific and the
Islands, was but half-a-million sterling. Since then.
American commerce in that quarter has received an im-
mense impetus, and the merchants of California are
striking out energetically, in all directions, in those seas.
The North Pacific is now traversed in various quarters
by an immense fleet of American whaling vessels,
giving employment to nearly 20,000 seamen, and the
principal place of resort for these vessels is the Sand-
wich Islands. Besides the direct trade between Cali-
fornia and the Isthmus, in passengers, light goods, and
specie, steam communication has recently been com-
menced by American enterprise between the ports of
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Pa-
nama. The scope of country thus opened to commerce
is one of the richest in aatural production on the Conti-
nent, whilst its virgin wealth has been comparatively ,
untouched. Guatemala, the most northern of the Cen-
tral
American States, With its population of 500, 000 souls,
is rich in all the minerals and precious metals, and
the soil, being extremely fertile, produces sarsaparilla,
cocoa, corn, and fruits in the greatest variety, besides
cochineal. The value of the British trade is about
500,0001. San Salvador is smaller than G uatemala, hav-
ing a population of about 300,000; but produces in
luxuriance, indigo, dyewoods, rice, sugar, and fruits.
Honduras, having a limited extent of coast on the Pacific,
also abounds in minerals and dyewoods, but is principally
a grazing country. Nicaragua, with her 350,000 in-
habitants, is one of the richest producing States in
America. Costa Rica is becoming one of the most im-
portant republics in that region, and is particularly
noted for her fine copper. Next comes New Granada,
a State of similar character, with which the United
States already carry on an import and export trade
of the value of 400,0001. to 500,0001. per an-
num. To the southward, some 300 miles from Panama,
is San Buena Ventura, one of the greatest avenues of
wealth on the western coast of America, not only on ac-
count of its mineral and agricultural productions, but
by reason of its geographical position and proximity to
the valley of the Amazon, and from thence large quan-
tities of gold dust are sent monthly to Panama and
Lima. The imports into the Central American States
amount to about 1,400,000/. annually. The exports
for 1852 reached the sum of 2,100,0001. But correct
statistical returns relative to the Central American Re-
publics are difficult to obtain, as very few are kept ; and
civil dissensions occasionally interrupt them where they
are oven kept with anything like system.
.... .._

Hitherto the Pacific has been- a field of adventure
rather than of regular commerce. Till recently it has
been cut off from all direct communication with the
trade and civilisation of Europe and America. No
maritime nations of importance have occupied any part
of the extensive line of coast by which it is circum-
scribed, and within which it has lain in silent repose,
rather like a secluded lake than a mighty peopled
ocean. But a new destiny is beginning to dawn
upon it. The Pacific is casting its hitherto dormant
wealth into the lap of those whose perseverance, skill,
and daring enterprise have called it into life • and the
forests and prairies of its shores are being re-
duced to the service of man. The sound of
the ocean's waves are no longer echoed by the
silent rocks, but are repeated by the busy murmur-
ings of human life. The steam-vessel foams along the
coasts and rivers on the western shores of America,
where the canoe once glided, and the wharf and the palace
have supplanted the wigwam and the pine-tree. Barren
and untenanted islands have yielded up treasures to com-
merce which have enriched states and individuals, and,
by fertilising distant lands, have proved a blessing to
thousands. If we look still further westward the vista
is equally interesting. A British surveying expedition
in the Pacific seas is accomplishing results which will
prove highly beneficial to Australian mariners, and a
similar expedition sent out by the American Govern-
ment, under Commodore Ringgold, is destined to open
to eastern commerce certain accessible routes and chan-
nels of approach from the Australian ports to China, to
the east of New Holland, and perhaps through some of
the various groups of islands known as the New Hebrides,
New Britannia, New Guinea, thence up by the Caro-
line, Pellew, and Philippine Islands to Canton. The
examinations and surveys of Commodores Perry and
Ringgold, of the American navy, of the French squadron
in the Pacific, and of the Commanders of her Majesty's
ships Herald, Torch, and Pandora, will accomplish much
in the surveys of the coasts and harbours of New Zealand,
New Caledonia, New Guinea, and the Feegees, of the
islands of Japan, and of the two or three routes formed
by the great chain of islands lying between the meridi-
ans of 150 degrees and 170 degrees east longitude.
" The prospect of trade opened up (observes an Austra-
lian contemporary) is dazzling in the extreme. America,
Australia, Japan, China, India, and the isles,' are the
countries that will furnish the elements of this new

111. All local authorities and persons whatsoever to
exert all the powers vested in them by law for the removal
of nuisances.

IV. All relations of, or others in charge of the bodies of,
pergons who have died of cholera or other epidemic disease,
to obey the directions of the medical officers of the guar-
dians, as to the speedy interment of the dead.
In these directions and regulations, the word "Guar-
dians" means the guardians, directors, wardens, governors,
parochial board, or other like officers having the manage-
ment of the poor of any union, parish, combination, or
place, where the matter requiring the cognisance of any
such officers arises, and the expression " Local Authority"
means the town council, local board of health, or any
trustees or commissioners for the draining, paving, light-
ing, cleansing, managing, or directing the police of any
town, borough, or place, highway board, or any other
body of a like nature, or any commissioners of sewers, or
any body, excepting boards of guardians and overseers,
having by law powers for the removal of nuisances.
Given under my hand and under the seal of the General
Board of Health, this fourteenth day of September,
one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
(Signed) B. HALL.

ST. DUNSTAN'S, STlZPNET.—Yesterday forenoon Mr.
William Baker, the coroner, held an inquest at the
Crown and Anchor, Storer-street, St. Dunstan's, Step-
ney, on view of the body of Janet Dean, aged 72 years,
who died very suddenly from choleraic diarrhcea, at No.
1, Great Turner-street, Commercial-road, East. It
appeared from the evidence that the deceased was the
wife of a commercial clerk-, and generally enjoyed a
good state of health ; but on Tuesday morning last she
was seized with diarrhcea and sickness. Deceased had
suffered very severely from neglected diarrhcea, which
produced prostration and general exhaustion. Verdict,
" natural death from choleraic diarrhcea." There have
been no fewer than twenty-five deaths in the anion,
which includes Mile End Old Town ; St. Paul's, Shad.-
well ; St. John's, Wapping ; the hamlet of Ratcliff,
and St. Anne's, Limebouse, during the last three days.
A seaman was removed from a barge yesterday, which
was lying in the eastern basin of the Regent's Canal
Dock, Ratcliff. He was suffering from a severe attack
of the disease, and after being seen by Mr. Cleland, one
of the medical officers of the union, he was conveyed to
the cholera ward of the London Hospital, where he ex-
pired last evening.
THE PRECINCT AND LIBERTY OF THE TOWEL—Late
on Thursday evening, Mr. Baker, the coroner for the
liberty of the Tower, held a long inquiry at the Old '
George Tavern, Trinity-square, Tower-hill, on view of
the body of a respectable man, unknown, who died sud-
denly from a severe attack of Asiatic cholera, while sit-
ting on a form on Tower-hill. In the deceased's hat
were some bread and meat. On one piece of paper was
written the following :—" William Keates will thank
any person who may think him worthy of their employ.
ment. I am one of the unfortunate, and am afflicted
with deficient speech. lam not particular what it may
be, so that I can occupy my time with credit to myself
and to the benefit of my employer. I have a little sup-
port from the interest of 3001. in the Three-and-a-Half
per Cent. Stock. I can give respectable references as to
character in London and Bath." Other evidence having
been adduced, the jury returned a verdict of "Died of
Asiatic cholera." Another death took place in the
Tower from cholera on Thursday, after a brief attack,
and the epidemic is far from subsiding. The rate-
payers are about to hold a general meeting in the
liberty of the Tower and its precincts, for the purpose
of making additional arrangements for the medical re-
lief of the poor of the Tower district.
ST. GEORGE-IN-THE-EAST.—Yesterday afternoon, at
three o'clock, Mr. B. Baker, the coroner, held an in-
quest at the Ship Tavern, Chapel-street, Back-road, St.
George-in-the-East, respecting the death of Joseph Brad-
ford, aged 11 years, who died from the effects of foul
drainage. The jury returned the following verdict :
" That the deceased died from malignant fever, occa-
sioned by certain nuisances on the premises where
the deceased had been residing, and the coroner is
earnestly requested to write to the board of guardians
and the landlord of the premises, relative to the nuis-
ances complained of, for the purpose of having the house
placed in a proper condition."

. -
ST. MATTHEW, BETHNAL GREEN.—Last evening an-
other inquest was taken by Mr. W. Baker al, the Butler's
Head, Butler-street, Bethnal-green, on the body of Mar-
garet Sophia Gilderstive, aged 49 years, the wife of a
weaver, carrying on business as a herbalist and agent to
Dr. Coffin, at No. 6, Gretton-terrace, Green-street, where
the deceased died from an attack ofAsiatic cholera caused
by the effect of quack medicine administered by the hus-
band. The evidence proved that the deceased had been
in good health until Monday last, when she was seized
with violent purging and vomiting. Mr. Stephens, the
agent of Dr. Coffin, visited the deceased, but did not
administer any of the nostrums. The usual cholera pow-
der was given to her, but she gradually grew worse and
died on the same day. The jury, after a long and de-
sultory conversation, returned a verdict :—" That the
deceased died from the effects of Asiatic, cholera, and
that the husband was guilty of great misconduct in not
calling in a proper medical practitioner previous to the
deceased's death." Mr. Moore stated, in answer to the
coroner, that there were a great number of oases of cho-
lera in the district of Bethnal-green, but the epidemic
was not on the increase.

THE WEST LONDON UNlON.—Yesterday morning, in
consequence of the increase of the epidemic among the
poor in the West London Union, the board of guardians
issued a notice among the inhabitants :—"Medicines are
kept at the houses of the medical officers of the union
for the gratuitous relief of the afflicted poor who may
be seized with diarrhoea or any of the symptoms of the
epidemic. The various dispensaries in the union are
also open day and night, where assistance will be ren-
dered without an order from the relieving officers or
guardians." Several cases of Asiatic cholera were re-
ported yesterday, but the disease is not on the increase at
present. The pauper inmates at the workhouse, West-
street, Smithfield, are generally in a healthy condition.
ST. LUKE'S, MIDDLESEX.-At an inquest held yester-
day afternoon, at the Crown public-house, Whitecross-
street, St. Luke's, the registrar of the district stated, in
answer to Mr. Baker, the coroner, that there were very
few fatal cases of Asiatic cholera in that densely popu-
lated parish, and in the crowded parts the poor were
somewhat free from the disease, although many were
suffering from diarrhoea. There had only been three
deaths in the vicinity of Whitecross-street during the
present week.