The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-29 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH• 29, 1854

into execution very soon afterwards how
the Four Powers, England, France, Austria,
and Prussia, interposed between the belligerents
negotiation after negotiation—how the failure of
these diplomatic endeavours to bring about a
pacification has conducted us at last to the neces-
sity of proclaiming war against the marauding
AUTOCRAT as the violater of the peace of Christen-
dom—how all this has been accomplished is at
length recounted, calmly, truthfully, and tem-
perately, in the Royal Declaration. That Decla-
ration, indeed, is altogether so calm, so truthful,
and so temperate, that it is worthy at once of the
age, of the cause, and of the SOVEREIGN.

It recapitulates facts, of course, which have
long since become familiar to the whole of Chris-
tendom. It states the cause of dissension from
the commencement. It indulges in no violence
of language. It profanes no text of Scripture.
Its force is truth, and not blustering. England
will be satisfied to the full, with this last
of those State papers which, in regard to
the contest between Russia and Turkey, have
emanated from time to time from the British
Government. It is no longer a contest
between Russia and Turkey, but between
Russia on the one side, and on the other
Turkey, *supported by the two most powerful
rams in Christendom—the greatest military and
the greatest maritime power on the globe—the
recognised and accepted champions of civilisation.
Especially, let the closing sentence of this memo-
rable Declaration of War be remarked—" Her
MAJESTY humbly trusts that her efforts may be
successful, and that, by the blessing of PROVIDENCE,
peace may be established on safe and solid foun-
dations." That, indeed, is the great object of all
wars, but peculiarly of this war—Peace. A peace,
moreover, as here intimated, re-established on safe
and solid foundations. Nevertheless, before this
glorious and desirable end can be attained, what
difficulties have to be overcome, what perils have
to be gone through, perils extending before our
forces at this moment in grim and awful perspec-
tive ! The responsibility of all this, however,
belongs not to us, appertains neither to England
nor to France, nor yet even to Turkey, but de-
volves entirely and exclusively upon one man,
the despotic chief of the Russian Government.
Intelligence has come to us of the continued
advance of the troops of the CZAR upon the soil of
the Danubian Principalities—no longer to the
right of the Pruth, but at last even to the right
of the Danube—no longer in Moldavia and Wal-
lachia alone, but within the limit of the
Bulgarian boundaries. War actually declared,
our fleets already in the Black Sea and
in the Baltic, our military forces far on their
way towards Constantinople—the time has now
arrived for prompt and energetic action by flood
and field, against the Cossack hordes poured
down from the north by the Russian AITTOCRA T along
the frontiers of European civilisation. The hour
has at last struck for the commencement of those
great victories of which England and France, un-
der the aid of GOD, rest confident—the victories
won not for conquest, but for right, by the heroic
descendants of the Gaul and the Briton, fighting
side by side under the union jack and the tri-
colour--,-bearing triumphantly through the scat-
tered ranks of the Russians the standards of
VI CTORIA. and the eagles of NAPOLEON.

The champions of freedom and of civilisation
are setting a memorable example, a glorious
precedent, which we trust will be permanently
recognised. They are showing that although war
may be inevitable, nay, more, though it should
actually have commenced, there is no imperative
necessity for depriving innocent parties of their
privileges, or increasing the inevitable evils of
such a state of affai►:s. hence some of the most
flagrant grievances incidental to warfare have, for
the present, been averted—grievances that affect
our own fellow-subjects, our allies, and also all
neutrals.

The abuses most worthy of notice, which have,
`for the present," been avoided, are :-
Ist. The cruel and oppressive system of im-

pressment.

2dly. The atrocious and utterly indefensible
practice of privateering.
3dly. The undue obstruction of trade and com-
merce by unnecessary interference with vessels
sailing under a neutral flag.
It is needless to say that the regulations adopted

are merely temporary—that the right, or alleged
right, of the nation has been merely suspended,
not definitively abandoned ; and that we must
patiently await the course of events before we
finally decide on the reform of international law,
to which the regulations alluded to may be re-
garded as the fitting precursors.
The power of impressment, although it may
not be altogether dispensed with, should obviously

be seldom, if ever, resorted to. A nation has, to

a certain extent, a right to the services of
its citizens for the maintenance of its honour
or security. We may call on every person
capable of bearing arms to join the national
standard, and, if necessary, to fight d l'outrance in
_ _

defence of his fatherland. But, it is equally cer-
tain that this should be the last resource, and
that every other means should be exhausted before

we endeavour to enforce compulsory service, unless
it be universal and without exception. Why,
should we make seamen more liable to be de-
prived of their freedom than any other class in
the community ? They may unquestionably be
more efficient than others ; but that is no suffi-
cient reason why the whole burden should be cast
upon their shoulders while others are altogether
exempted. We must, before we become " men-
stealers," try the effect of fair remuneration for
the services which we require. We should
not consider ourselves justified in seizing
the bullion in the coffers of the Bank, or

the hemp, tallow, bristles, and other Russian pro-
ducts, without paying their fair market value.
Why, then, 'should we have any better right

;o seize on the " thews and sinews" of a certain
)ody without also paying the fair market value

lingly captured and destroyed, if a favourable op-
portunity occurred. There are so many instances
in which such transactions have occurred, that it
would be superfluous to show that similar matters
might again take place. The line of demarcation
between " privateering" and " piracy" is so very
slight, and so frequently disregarded, that civi-
lisation and humanity alike demand that every
distinction should be abolished, and both placed
in the same category, of course. We only go to
this extent with respect to strangers interfering.
It is, however, almost equally desirable that the
entire system should be abolished, and that the
subjects of one of the belligerent states should be
compelled to fight, if at all, under the shelter of
their national standard.

The third point, as to the prevention of all un-
necessary obstruction of the commerce of neutrals,
is a most praiseworthy experiment—one, how-
ever, that involves many considerations before
we can finally decide on its policy. How far it

is expedient to allow strangers to do that which
we forbid to our own fellow-subjects, is a matter
that cannot, at once, be determined. We can,
however, justly praise the laudable anxiety of her
MAJESTY'S Government to free warfare of one of
its many horrors—and, even if they fail, we are
bound to give them credit for the good intentions
by which they have been actuated.

We invite the serious attention of the Horse
Guards to a letter in another part of The Sun
on the use of the Lance. It is from a prac-
tic%l man, who has served three campaigns in
Spain, during the Civil War, and afterwards for
several years in one of her MAJESTY'S Regiments
of Light Dragoons.

DEATH OF THE DUKE OF

PARMA.

A telegraphic despatch from Paris announces that the
Duke of Parma died on Monday night.

The assassin had not been discovered.

The Duchess of Parma had proclaimed her son Duke.
He is still in his minority, being born on the 9th July,
1848.

The Duchess will be Regent during his minority.
The young prince, whose melancholy death we record,
was born on the 24th of January, 1823, succeeded his
father, Duke Charles 11., by virtue of the Act of Abdi-
cation by the latter, dated the 14th of March, 1849, and
formally assumed the reins of Government, by procla-
mation, on the 27th of August of the same year.
His late Royal Highness Ferdinand Charles (III.)
Joseph Maria Vittorio Balthasar de Bourbon, Infante
of Spain, Duke of Parma, Piacenza, and the annexed
States, was married, on the 10th of November, 1845, to
the Princess Louise Marie Therse de Bourbon, daugh-
ter of the late Prince Ferdinand d'Artois, Duc de Berri
in France, and leaves four children :

1. Margudrite Marie Therse Henriette, born Ist Jan.,
1847 ;
2. Robert, Prince of Piacenza, Hereditary Prince, born
9th July, 1848 ;
3. Alix Marie Caroline Ferdinande Rachel Jeanne Phi-
lomene, born 27th December, 1849 ; and
4. Henri Charles Louis George Abraham Paul, Comte
de Bardi, born 12th February, ISSI.
The Ministry of Parma is dissolved, and Baron Ward
h as received orders to quit the country, and never to re-
turn to it. This order has given great satisfaction.

AMERICA.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
ARRIVAL OF THE ANDES.
LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY MORNING.

The steamer Andes arrived at an early hour this
morning. She has brought no later papers than the
Nashville, but telegraphic accounts from New York to
the IGth have been received viet Halifax. She brought
$209,531 in specie on freight.

WAR WITH RUSSIA.

On the 24th the Andes passed the barque Huron,
timber laden and abandoned, in lat. 49, long. 31.50 ; on
the 28th passed the ship Montreal and steamer City of
Manchester, both bound west ; and on the 27th passed
the barque Buenos Ayrean, inward bound.
NEW YORK, THURSDAY EVENING, 16th.
President Pierce sent a message to Congress yester
day on the Black Warrior affair. The President inti-
mates that the outrage is so clear that he shall expect
full indemnity as soon as the matter shall be made known
to her Catholic Majesty's Government, although similar
expectations in other cases have not been realised.
The President states further, that he has already
taken measures to present the matter to the Spanish
Government, and to demand an immediate in-
demnity for this wanton outrage. In case the mea-
sures taken for an amicable adjustment with Spain
should unfortunately prove unsuccessful, the President
will not fail to use the authority and means at
his disposal to insure the observance of just rights,
to obtain redress, and to vindicate the honour of the
American flag. In anticipation of contingencies he sug-
gests to Congress the propriety of adopting such provi-
sional measures as the exigency may seem to demand.
The above message was received by Congress with
great satisfaction by all parties. It was reported that a
Government steamer would be despatched to Cadiz im-
mediately. The message has also given satisfaction to
the people and press. The navy department is making
efforts to increase the force on the West India station.

On the 16th Mr. Giddings, in the HouseOißepresen-
tatives, condemned the course taken by the President,
and defended the Cuban authorities.

Lieut. Bodisco, nephew of the late Russian Minister
at Washington, is ordered home by his Government.
The steamer Reindeer exploded on the Ohio river,
killing 50 passengers.

The steamer Caroline was burned on Tennessee river,
40 persons burned and drowned.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

NEW YORK, MARCH 16.—Money is easier. Stock-
Market firm. Sterling 109.
The Arabia's news was published at New York this
morning.
Prices of flour are considerably lower —declined 3s.
York wheat declined 8 cents to 10 cents. Corn de-
clined 6 cents. Provisions steady.

ROYAL DECLARATION,
(From a Supplement to last night's Gazette.)

DECLARATION.
It is with deep regret that her Majesty announces
the failure of her anxious and protracted endea-
vours to preserve for her people and for Europe
the blessings of peace.
The unprovoked aggression of the Emperor of
Russia against the Sublime Porte has been per-
sisted in with such disregard of consequences, that
after the rejection by the Emperor of Russia of
terms which the Emperor of Austria, the Emperor
of the French, and the King of Prussia, as
well as her Majesty, considered just and equi-
table, her Majesty is compelled by a sense of what
is due to the honour of her crown, to the
interests of her people, and to the independence of
the states of Europe, to come forward in defence of
an ally whose territory is invaded, and whose dig-
nity and independence are assailed.
Her Majesty, in justification of the course she is
about to pursue, refers to the transactions in which
her Majesty has been engaged.
The Emperor of Russia had some cause of com-
plaint against the Sultan with reference to the
settlement, which his Highness had sanctioned, of
the conflicting claims of the Greek and Latin
Churches to a portion of the Holy Places of Jeru-
salem and its neighbourhood. To the complaint of
the Emperor of Russia on this bead justice was
done ; and her Majesty's Ambassador at Constan-
tinople had the satisfaction of promoting =arrange-
ment to which no exception was taken by the
Russian Government.
But while the Russian Government repeatedly
assured the Government of her Majesty that the
mission of Prince Menchikoff to Constantinople was
exclusively directed to the settlement of the ques-
tion of the Holy Places at Jerusalem, Prince
Menchikoff himself pressed upon the Porte other
demands of a far more serious and important elm-
racter, the nature of which he in the first instance
endeavoured, as far as possible, to conceal from her
Majesty's Ambassado:.. And these demands, thus
studiously concealed, affected not the privileges of
the Greek Church at Jerusalem, but the position of
many millions of Turkish subjects in their relations
to their Sovereign the Sultan.
These demands were rejected by the spontaneous
decision of the Sublime Porte.
Two assurances had been given to her Majesty
—one that the mission of Prince Menchikoff only
regarded the Holy Places ; the other that his mis-
sion would be of a conciliatory character.
In both respects her Majesty's just expectations
were disappointed.
Demands were made which, in the opinion of
the Sultan, extended to the substitution of the
Emperor of Russia's authority for his own over a
large portion of his subjects, and those demands were
enforced by a threat; and when her Majesty learnt
that, on announcing the termination of his mission,
Prince Menchikoff declared that the refusal of his
demands would impose upon the Imperial Govern-
ment the necessity of seeking a guarantee by its own
power, her Majesty thought proper that her fleet
should leave Malta, and, in co-operation with that
of his Majesty the Emperor of the French, take up
its station in the neighbourhood of the Darda-
nelles.

So long as the negotiation bore an amicable
character, her Majesty refrained from any demon-
stration of force. But when, in addition to the
assemblage of large military forces on the frontier
of Turkey, the ambassador of Russia intimated
that serious consequences would ensue from the
refusal of the Sultan to comply with unwarrantable
demands, her Majesty deemed it right, in con-
junction with the Emperor of the French, to give
an unquestionable proof of her determination to
support the sovereign rights of the Sultan.
The Russian Government has maintained that
the determination of the Emperor to occupy the
Principalities was taken in consequence of the
advance of the Fleets of England and France.
But the menace of invasion of the Turkish terri:-
tory was conveyed in Count Nessylrode's Note to
Reschid Paella, of the 19th (31st) May, and re-
stated in his despatch to Baron Brunnow, of the
20th May (June 1), which announced the deter-
mination of the Emperor of Russia to order his
troops to occupy the Principalities, if the Porte
did not within a week comply with the demands of
Russia.
The despatch to her Majesty's Ambassador at
Constantinople, authorising him in certain speci-
fied contingencies to send for the British fleet, was
dated the 31st May, and the order sent direct from
England to her Majesty's Admiral to proceed to
the neighbourhood of the Dardanelles was dated
the 2nd of June.
The determination to occupy the Principalities
was therefore taken before the orders for the advance
of the combined squadrons were given.
The Sultan's Minister was informed that unless
he signed within a week, and without the change
of a word, the note proposed to the Porte by Prince
Menchikoff, on the eve of his departure from Con-
stantinople, the Principalities of Moldavia and
Wallachia would be occupied by Russian troops.
The Sultan could not accede to so insulting a
demand ; but when the actual occupation of the
Principalities took place, the Sultan did not, as he
might have done in the exercise of his undoubted
right, declare war, but addressed a protest to his
allies.

thereof ? The defence and safety of our " altars
and hearths" are equally incumbent on all, and
each man must contribute thereto, either in purse
or in person. When we offer ample equivalents,
and see that there is an unreasonable holding back
from craven fears or unreasonable cupidity—then,
but not till then, may we resort to violence and
robbery (for impressment savours but too strongly
of both) to supply the exigencies of the public
tervice. Before we do so, however, we must
hold out greater inducements than are offered by
the mercantile service. We cannot expect to ob-
tain able seamen for 2/. is. 4d. per month, when
the same persons may receive nearly double the
amount from English or American shipowners.
" Impressment," then, is suspended, but not
finally abandoned. We are greatly mistaken,

Her Majesty, in conjunction with the Sovereigns
of Austria, France, and Prussia, has made various
attempts to meet any just demands of the Emperor
of Russia without affecting the dignity and inde-
pendence of the Sultan ; and had it been the sole
object of Russia to obtain security for the enjoy-
ment by the Christian subjects of the Porte of their
privileges and immunities, she would have found it
in the offers that have been made by the Sultan;
but as that security was not offered in the shape of
a special and separate stipulation with Russia, it
was rejected. Twice has this offer been made by
the Sultan, and recommended by the Four Powers
once by a note originally prepared at Vienna, and
subsequently modified by the Porte, once by the
proposal of bases of negotiation agreed upon at
Constantinople on the 31st of December, and
approved at Vienna on the 13th of January, as
offering to the two parties the means of arriving at
au understanding in a becoming and honourable

manner.
It is thus manifest that a right for Russia to in-
terfere in the ordinary relations of Turkish subjects
to their Sovereign, and not the happiness of Chris-
tian communities in Turkey, was the object sought
for by the Russian Government ; to such a demand
the Sultan would not submit, and his Highness in
self-defence declared wb.-r upon Russia, but her Ma-
jesty, nevertheless, in conjunction with her allies,
has not ceased her endeavours to restore peace be-
tween the contending parties.
The time has, however, now arrived when the
advice and remonstrances of the Four Powers
having proved wholly ineffectual, and the military
preparations of Russia becoming daily more ex-
tended, it is but too obvious that the Emperor of
Russia has entered upon a course of policy which,
if unchecked, must lead to the destruction of the
Ottoman Empire.
In this conjuncture her Majesty feels called upon
by regard for an ally, the integrity and independ-
ence of whose empire have been recognised as essen-
tial to the peace of Europe, by the sympathies of
her people with right against wrong, by a desire to
avert from her dominions most injurious conse-
quences, and to save Europe from the preponder-
ance of a Power which has violated the faith of
treaties, and defies the opinion of the civilised
world, to take up arms in conjunction with the
Emperor of the French for the defence of the
Sultan.

however, in the character of our mariners, if such
a state of affairs should occur as to render its
resumption imperative or even justifiable.
" Privateering," or legalised "piracy," however,
stands on very different grounds ; and we cannot
imagine any circumstances that could warrant the
resumption of that iniquitous system—a system,
too, of which the expediency is as questionable
as the morality. We have long since ascertained,
beyond the posssbility of doubt, that " privateer-
ing" (at least when carried on, not by the subjects
of the belligerent Powers, but by strangers) is
almost as injurious to the commerce of the nation
granting the "letters of marque" as to their op-
ponents. The ocean brigands—those who engage
merely for the sake of gain, and without any

Her Majesty is persuaded that in so acting she
will have the cordial support of her people ; and
that the pretext of zeal for the Christian religion
will be used in vain to cover an aggression under-
taken in disregard of its holy precepts, and of its
pure and beneficent spirit.
Her Majesty humbly trusts that her efforts may
be successful, and that, by the blessing of Provi.

higher motives—are but seldom troubled with
scruples of any kind. Plunder is their only ob-
ject, and they are but little solicitous as to the
mode in which it may be obtained. An English
or a French vessel would afford as rich a booty as
a Russian, and, therefore, would be just as wil-

I dente, peace may be re-established on safe and solid
foundations.

Westminster, March 28, 1 534.
.DECLARATION.

Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, having been com-
pelled to take up arms in support of an ally, is de-
sirous of rendering the war as little onerous as
possible to the Powers with whom she remains at
peace.

To preserve the commerce of neutrals from all
unnecessary obstruction, her Majesty is willing, for
the present, to waive a part of the belligerent rights
appertaining to her by the law of nations.

It is impossible for her Majesty to forego the
exercise of her right of seizing articles contraband
of war, and of preventing neutrals from bearing
the enemy's despatches, and she must maintain the
right of a belligerent to prevent neutrals from
breaking any effective blockade which may be
established with an adequate force against the
enemy's forts, harbours, or coasts.

But her Majesty will waive the right of seizing
enemy's property laden on board a neutral vessel,
unless it be contraband of war.

It is not her Majesty's intention to claim the
confiscation of neutral property, not being contra-
band of war, found on board enemy's ships ; and
her Majesty further declares, that being anxious to
lessen as much as possible the evils of war, and to
restrict its operations to the regularly organised
forces of the country, it is not her present inten-
tion to issue letters of marque for the commission-
ing of privateers.
Westminster, March 28, 1854.