The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-20 00:00:00

TURKEY.

• The following important intelligence has been re-
ceived in PariS
A . telegrttphic dispatch, dated Constantinople,
the 10th June, states that, on the previous day,
the courier 'bearing the demand of Russia for the
acceptance of Prince Menschikoff's last proposal
had arrived. This produced a great sensation.
Within a few hours of this a messenger arrived,
bringing news of the approach of the English and
French fleets. This also created a great stir.
Warlike preparations were being earned on with
great rapidity and energy. Admiral Slade declared
that the fleet was in excellent condition.
Dispatches from St. Petersburgh state that
Prince Gortchakoff, the same who was sent to the
Duke of Wellington's funeral, had left St. Peters-
burgh on the 11th, to assume the command of the
army which is destined to invade Moldavia. His
instructions are, to await at head-quarters the re-
turn of the courier who was sent with the 'ultimatum
to St. Petersburgh, and in the event of his bringing
news of its rejection, to proceed at once, without
waiting for further orders, to cross the Pruth and
occupy the Principalities. The language of the
Emperor is still full of menaces.
Dispatches from Vienna state that Austria had
again offered her good offices, but, it is added, with
but little hope of their acceptance.
The following summary of the Turkish news is
from the Constitulionnel :
" Our correspondent writes us word that the Porte
was making unheard-of efforts to place itself in a state
of defence. It was continuing with as much activity
as intelligence its preparations on various points
at the same time, and neglected no means of protect-
ing the country from the oppression which seemed
to menace it. The Porte was seconded in its efforts
by the patriotism of the nation which in every class
appeared greatly exasperated at the demands of Russia.
The entrance of the Bosphorus was already suitably
protected by the presence of the whole of the Ottoman
fleet, which was expected to be reinforced in a few days by
the vessels from Egypt. The forts which commanded
the passage were being armed, and it was in contempla-
tion to establish a camp on the heights of the village of
Buyukdere. Another camp was also to be formed,
composed of the regiments of the guard, in the plain
of Haidar-Pacha, near Scutari, in Asia. On the other
hand, letters from Odessa stated that the Russian
armaments are going on without interruption in
Bessarabia and in the Crimea ; and intelligence
from Bucharest mentioned that from the date of the
24th of May, indications were perceptible amongst
the Russian troops of movements preparatory to
entering on a campaign. Lord Stratford de Redcliffe,
it appears, had informed the Porte, in a non-official
manner that he expected to receive, in a very few days,
instructions which would permit him to give him an
official assurance that his Government would consider
an attack on the part of Russia as a violation of the
treaty of 1841, and that, should such a case occur, it
"would intervene efficaciously in favour of Turkey. This
communication had produced a great effect amongst the
Turks, and it was thought probable that the French
ambassador would make a similar declaration.
"The Sultan was about to take up his residence near
the village of Therapis, not far from Buyukd6re", to pass
part of the fine season. This palace, situated about
three leagues from the entrance of the Bosphorus, was
also inhabited by the Sultan Mahmoud at the period of
the war with Russia in 1826 and 1827. The departure
of the Sultan was regarded at Constantinople as a
certain mark of his determination to repel ener-
getically the attacks of Russia. As he thus places
himself in the midst of all the military move-
ments, he has excited a great enthusiasm amongst
the people. As the French and English ambassadors
have summer residences at Therapis, ii was thought. by
many that that circumstance might have had some effect
in leading to the Sultan's determination. This year the
importance of events caused the approach of the Rama-
zan (which commenced on the Bth) to be almost un-
heeded, and the Council continues to meet every day."
" Thus," continues the Constitutionnel, "it will
be seen that the present mail adds but little of real
importance to what we have already received."
The Constantinople Journal of the 4th June
publishes, under the head of " Communication,"
the following document
" As the two parties have not been able to come to an
understanding on all the questions which his Highness
Prince Menschikoff, who arrived lately at Constantinople
with the character of ambassador extraordinary of the
illustrious Court of Russia, has in conformity with the
mission with which he was charged, put forward, his
highness has broken the diplomatic relations with the
Sublime Porte, put an end to his embassy, and left Con-
stantinople.
" Although these facts, which have occurred at
a time when the Sublime Porte was taking every
pains to preserve and maintain its amicable relations
with the Court of Russia, could not do other-
wise than give pain to the Government of his Ma-
jesty the Sultan, it is nevertheless hoped that a just
appreciation of his loyal and pacific intentions on the
part of the Court of Russia, and a manifestation on the
part of the latter of analogous and pacific intentions,
will soon re-establish the good relations of the two
Powers on the same footing as formerly, and the idea,
besides, that Russia will not undertake a war for which
there is no good motive, gives ground for hope that
peace will not be disturbed.

" Whatever may be the case, as the rupture of the
official relations and the departure of the Prince are
facts, which from the time of the departure of that am-
bassador have remained without the assurance that
there would mot be any war, and as Russia finds herself
in the position of having made great preparations for
war by sea and land, the Sublime Powers at the same
time that she has declared to the high Porte that she
did not entertain the slightest hostile intention, finds
herself under the painful necessity of adopting, as a
matter of pure precaution, and simply in order to placet
herself in state of defence, some measures, consisting in
movements of troops and in fortifications ; in conse-
quence of which it has undertaken to put in a good state
of defence, by the employment of troops and by other
means, the imperial fortresses which are beyond the
Balkan, and on the banks of the Danube, as well as in
other essential places, and the straits of the Black Sea.
The sending to that strait of the ships of war which
were lying before Behicklasch makes a part of the mea-
sures of precaution in question.
"As the employes of the Russian Commercial Chan-
cellery at Constantinople and the Russian consuls re-
main at their posts, and as the mercantile operations of
Russian merchants and subjects continue to be carried
on as in time past, the Sublime Porte, in order to give a
new proof of its good feeling towards the Court of
Russia, has sent orders everywhere necessary to the
effect of giving to the merchants and subjects of that
nation still more facilities, and to treat all Russian em-
ployes with proper respect. On this point the Govern.
ment of his Imperial Majesty the Sultan is very
anxious."

The Porte having thought it advisable to con-
sult those diplomatists on the subject of a project
of a note presented to Prince Menschikoff after
that of the 18th May, announcing the rupture,
they met on the' 21st, at Lord Redcliffe's, their
senior, and, after a long discussion, the following
reply was drawn up before they parted, to be
transmitted verbally to the Minister of Foreign
Affairs :

" The representatives of England, France, Prussia,
and Austria, in reply to the desire expressed by his
Highness Rescind Pacha, to know their opinion on a
projected note communicated privately by Prince Men-
schikoff, are of the opinion that on a question which
so nearly concerns the liberty of action and the sove-
reignty of his Majesty the Sultan, his Highness Res-
chid Pacha is the best judge of the line of action that
ought to be taken, and they do not consider them-
selves authorised, under the actual circumstances, to
express an opinion on the subject."

It is said that in a few days a firman will be
issued, conceding additional privileges to the
Christians, Ottoman subjects
Lord Redcliife had been thrown from his horse,
but happily received no injury.
The Turks are preparing to enter the month of
the Ramazan. The bureaux of the Porte will be
closed on the occasion.

The Emperor Nicholas is expected daily in
Odessa.