The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-02 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 2, 1853.

the Ottoman Empire the perils of a disastrous
dismemberment.

Reducing all these fine phrases to mere matter-
of-fact, it signifies that France and England are
eager to prevent the necessity of war, if they can
only contrive without bloodshed to vindicate the
outraged integrity of the Turkish sovereignty.
But--How in the name of common sense can any
such hopes be, now at this the eleventh hour, de-
liberately and seriously entertained ? Have not
France and England striven already by every con-
ceivable device, by every conceivable delay, by
every conceivable concession, to bring about
this most desirably pacific solution ? Have they
not ? And have they not failed utterly, and egregi-
ously failed, one after another, in their ultra-
humane endeavours ? With these hopes, were not
the insolent demands of Prince MENSCHIKOFF tole-
rated, and the lawless passage of the Pruth, and
the flagitious occupation of Moldo-Wallachia, and
the arrogant subjection of the Hospodars to unjus-
tifiable acts of obedience to the Russian AUTO-
CRAT, instead of, as of old, to their liege Suzerain
at Constantinople ? To the end that war might
be avoided and the continuance of peace secured—
was not that Conference brought about at Vienna,
which ended in a blundering proposition necessi-
tating a key to the mystery of its meaning in the
shape of a series of sagacious, but, under the cir-
cumstances, utterly impracticable modifications ?
Yes, the truth in this matter is notorious from
one end of Christendom to the other, and yet the
people of the West are still to be amused with
the " damnable iteration" of this empty and fri-
volous phraseology ! Public opinion, forsooth, is
still to be irritated by the assurance, repeated
again for the nine hundred and ninety-ninth time,
that France and England are favourable to peace,
but fully securing the cause of Turkish indepen-
dence. Why, everybody knows perfectly well by
this time that the two things are wholly and abso-
lutely incompatible—Peace with Russia and the
preservation of Independence to Turkey ! Peace !
Now, indeed, if ever, the Divine utterance of Holy
Writ is being verified—now, when they are talking
of Peace when there is no Peace. England and
France indeed—actuated by pacific intentions,
providing they can without bloodshed se-
cure the integrity of the Ottoman dominions—
meaning, of course, in other words, providing
they can induce Russia otherwise than at the
point of the bayonet, and at the mouth of the
howitzer, to withdraw her forces from the country
lying between the Pruth and the Danube, and
thereupon to retract all her insolent demands
upon the insulted and outraged Government of
Constantinople ! Is this, let us ask plainly, in
any degree probable—under existing circum-
stances ? With the seeds of revolt and evil pas-
sion sown broadcast over Servia and the adjacent
provinces by the intrigues of the autocratic coun-
cils of St. Petersburg ! with the Montenegrins
secretly goaded into open antagonism against the
Musselmen ! with the main body of the Turks
strongly encamped at Ka.lafat ! with the Russian
army under GORTZCHAKOFF, in the vicinity of
Bucharest ! with OSTEN-SACHEN marching with
powerful reinforcements from the direction of
Moldavia ! with the CZAR goaded to the
vindication of the prowess of his troops and
of the skill of his generals by the pain-
ful and infuriating remembrance of Oltenitza !
Talk, with these facts before us, talk, forsooth, of a
pacific arrangement securing from the inflamed
ambition of Russia the jeopardised. independence
of Turkey ! Talk of soothing a madman into
tranquillity after having _ goaded him into a
paroxysm of fury by every exquisite ingenuity of
mingled decoy and irritation ! Talk of calming
him with the wave of a feather (the pen of an
effete diplomacy)—with his foe at his foot, and a
drawn sword in his hand, and the consciousness
of having, already, himself, been wounded! Never-
theless such are still actually the designs enun-
ciated by the statesmen of Western Europe as the
objects of the twin-policy of France and England
the mysterious aim of their allied Governments.

There is scarcely a subject on which a greater
degree of misapprehension is subsisting than that
of railway extensions. It is unquestionably right,
under existing circumstances, that new projects
should be received with salutary caution—that
the arguments for and against should be ma-
turely considered and accurately weighed before
a decision be arrived at. But nothing can be
more absurd than the panic that has been ex-
cited on the subject, and which would lead to the un-
equivocal condemnation of every plan however au-
spicious, and would establish the principle of "fina-
lity," which should not be disturbed or interfered
with on any account. In some quarters, " exten-
sions" have been held forth as the unnatural pro-
geny who were to devour the produce of the
parent line—as schemes brought forward by a
combination of directors, landowners, bankers,
engineers, and lawyers, for their own selfish pur-
poses, and without any regard to the interests of
the general body of proprietors, in the conception
and carrying out whereof there must necessarily
be something of such a character as to induce
every independent shareholder to set his face
against the transactions, and use every exertion to
prevent their success.
The time has passed away when the danger
came from this direction. Considering the preva-
lent feeling, there is far greater probability of
useful undertakings being suppressed or negatived
than of needless ones being brought forward.
Directors have learned that every proposition
occasioning a further outlay will be strictly scru-
tinised ; and however favourable, indeed, if
absolutely indispensable to the safety of the
concern, will be used as an instrument by
malcontents, and such are to be found in
almost every company, as an instrument to excite
disturbance, and to create a prejudice against the
managers. They are, therefore, for their own
sakes, more likely to fall into sins of omißsion than
of commission ; and, when actuated by a sense of
their duty, they have the manliness to brave the
existing prejudice, they add to their claims on
the gratitude of the shareholders, and entitle
themselves to, at least, a patient and favourable
consideration on the part of the shareholders.
We do not assert that every plan approved of by
directors, and brought under the notice of a special
general meeting, should necessarily be sanctioned. I
Far from it. It is the privilege of shareholders
to judge for themselves on such matters, and
same
dtlimeye
ought to exercise the right. But, at
time, a project that has received the fiat of the
managing body, should not be rejected on trivial
or insufficient grounds ; nor should it be made a
ground of factious opposition by interested agi-
tators. The directors may have weighty reasons
for their decision, other than those relating
merely to £ s. d., all of which cannot ju-
diciously be brought under the considera-
tion of the general body. They may see
that the undertaking is indispensable to the main-
tenance of their property, and to prevent an in-
trusion into their district that might subsequently
prove exceedingly prejudicial, and render a far
greater expenditure essential. When there is a
strong and increasing demand for railway
accommodation in a rising locality, they
may feel
sfietel certain that, if they do not pro-
vide for the want, others will do so. Very
serious competition tinonecesmsaaryy a
ft
theur thus a
rbdes occasionedt o
buy e
off
at a high price,
therefore, be Som© degree of credit must,
given to Directors, some reliance
placed on the judgment and integrity of those
whose former conduct has merited confidence, and
who have exhibited high qualifications for their
office during the trying times that have been ex-
perienced by the railway interest.
The Directors' of the South-Eastern Railway

have just issued a circular to their constituents
(which will be found in another part of this day's
impression), bringing under their notice " a list
of the schemes advertised in the public papers
as about to be submitted to the consideration of
Parliament in the ensuing Session, and which, if
carried into effect, may, in one way or another,
affect the interests of the Company which they
represent ; with respect thereto they judiciously
abstain from comment for the present on the
several lines, allowing the proprietors to judge
for themselves how far the contingencies of the
money market, or the probable course of legis-
lation, will affect these and similar undertakings.
They add—
" The spirit of adventure is obviously rife. And such
a group of schemes about us might excite apprehension,
if the resolutions adopted in the last session of Parlia-
ment, on the recommendation of Mr. Cardwell's Com-
mittee, did not induce the confident belief that the Le-
gislature will hereafter so direct all further outlay in
railway construction as to maintain a due regard to
existing railway interests in connexion with the conve-
nience of districts hitherto imperfectly supplied with
railway accommodation. It may, however be the duty
of the directors to enter more fully upon this subject as
the Session approaches.
" Whilst exnerience suggests extreme caution against
encumbering the company with unremunerating branch
lines, yet it becomes most important to discriminate
what is eligible to protect and advance its interests. A
general refusal to do anything would reject the considera-
tion of what in the end might prove to be highly conducive
to the company's welfare and intimately connected with
the maintenance of its property. The exercise of such
discrimination and judgment is at this moment matter
for the utmost care."

raise.

The Directors have here placed the question
on the true foundation, and have thereby largely
increased the strong claims they already possessed
on the confidence of the proprietors, whose
interests they _ have so judiciously managed for
many years. Mr. MACGREGOR. has, indeed,
proved himself, by unanswerable testimony, to
be the vigilant and trustworthy guardian of their
rights, the prudent and efficient controller of
their affairs. He has been ably supported by his
brother directors and the officials of the Company,
and by none more so than by Mr. G. S. HERBERT,
the energetic and experienced Secretary, who has
seen that the decisions of the Board have been
carried into practical operation. We have seen
the ability, integrity, and zeal displayed on many
occasions by the gentlemen whose services the
Shareholders have been so fortunate as to
obtain, and we trust that these services may be
long available for their benefit. The list of
projects given show that the Directors have not
been too ready to accept new schemes on the part
of the company. What they do recommend so
strongly and unequivocally should, therefore,
receive the most favourable consideration. The
true principle has been laid down in reference to
new constructions ; it is one that should be borne
in mind by every one in any degree interested in
such matters, viz., " THAT THE OMISSION TO TAKE
AT THE RIGHT MOMENT THE STEP NECESSARY TO

MAINTAIN THEIR INTEREST WOULD BE AS UNWISE

AS IT WOULD BE TO CONSTRUCT INJUDICIOUS EX-
TENSIONS." Guided by this golden rule, the pro-
prietors cannot fail to arrive at a just conclusion
in reference to the important question awaiting
their decision.

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

It was stated in Paris, on Wednesday, upon
good authority, the French Government had re-
ceived the answer of the Emperor Nicholas to the
last of the pacific propositions which have emanated
from Austria. ,In that answer the Czar declares
that he cannot accept of any project of arrange-
ment that does not issue direct from Turkey, and
that henceforth the fate of arms must decide the
question.

_
Private letters from St. Petersburg announce
that the late events in the East have greatly
irritated the Emperor Nicholas, and that those
who are best acquainted with his intentions do
not think that he will now enter into any nego-
tiations, or listen to any propositions for a compro-

By electric telegraph, under date of Vienna, yes-
terday, we have advices from Bucharest, of the
28th November, which state that on the 26th the
Turks threw a bridge across from the right bank of
the Danube to the Island of Mokanou.
A telegraphic despatch from Kalisch states that
the Russian troops in Poland received marching
orders on the 24th. General Adlersberg had
established marching commissaries at Kalisch.
Regiments from the north replace the troops leaving
Poland.
It is also stated that the Russian war-steamer
Wladimir, on a cruise in the Black Sea, had re-
turned to Sebastopol with two prizes—a Turkish
passenger steamer, with a cargo of pepper, and the
Egyptian 10-gun steamer Pervazy-Bahri. The
latter offered a desperate resistance. The Russians
had two killed and two wounded. This news is
believed to be authentic.
From despatches from Constantinople, however,
we learn that the Russian steam-frigate Wladimir
has been taken by an Egyptain war steamer.
It is said the Bessabaria has taken a Turkish
steamer.
The Administrative Council has entered a pro-
test against the incorporation of the Wallachian
militia with the Russian regiments.
Political discussions are strictly prohibited.
One of the Boyards who were lately arrested has
been sent to the fortress of Bender.
The Turks have for some time past been bom-
barding the Russian position at Giurgevo. They
occupied the island of Moknan, but were dislodged
by the artillery, under General Formosoff.
The Turks, however, resisted all the efforts of
the Russians to expel them from their position
below Hirsova, at the confluence of the Taloni tza
and the Danube. Letters from Galatz state that the
4th and. sth Russian reserve corps are in move-
ment. They had left Bessarabia, and were about
to enter Wallachia.
The Hamburg News contains a letter from St.
Petersburg of the 20th ult., which says—" Orders
have been sent from this place to Prince Gortscha-
koff to assume the offensive, it is said, against the
Turks on the left bank of the Danube. It is stated
that the governments of France and England. have
given explanations to the cabinet of St. Petersburg
respecting the probable entrance of the French and
English fleets into the Black Sea."
A letter from Bucharest of the 19th ult., in the
Post Anrpt Gazette, says—" Doubts are beginning
to be felt here of the sincerity of the Russian bulle-
tins ; lately, one of them declared. that a single
soldier had been wounded in an affair. The Turks
maintain themselves, notwithstanding the efforts
of the Russians, near Piva-Petro, at the spot
where the Jolomnitza falls into the Danube.
There is no longer anything heard of the march of
the corps of Osten Sacken into Wallachia, but intel-
ligence has been received from Galatz that the 4th
and sth corps of the reserve have quitted. Bessarabia
to enter our Principality. Karazian, one of the
two Boyards who were arrested, has been exiled.
by the Russians to Bender." The Prussian
Correspondence contains a letter from Bucha-
rest of the 19th ult., which says :—" For the
last fortnight the position of the troops in Lesser
Wallachia has not changed. The 25,000 Turks
entrenched near Kalafat make no movement.
General Fischbach is also quiet. The Turks con-
tinue to bombard Giurgevo. In the night the
Turks occupy the isle of Mocan,
.bat when. day-
break appears, and General Formosoff opens his
fire, they withdraw. The Council of Administra-
tion of Wallachia opposes energeticially the incor-
poration of the Wallachian militia with the Russian
army, on the ground that such a step would break
the neutrality of the country."
The New Prussian, Gazette contains the fol-
lowing from Vienna, dated the 26th ult. :
" The opinion here is still that the Russo-
Turkish difference will be terminated. by a
pacific arrangement. The news of the formation
of a corps of observation has been contradicted.
It is certain that the Rosbach regiment, which
had received orders to march, has been counter-
manded. The officers allowed to go on leave as
usual. The news of an armistice having been con-
cluded between the Turks and. Russians is becom-
ing confimred ; but it is to be not for three months,
but for three weeks."
A letter from Trieste of the 21st ult., in the
New Munich Gazette, says :—" For some days
past three Russian vessels of war have been here,
consisting of a corvette and two brigs. This little
squadron was cruising in the Levant, and being
quite ignorant of what had taken place in Turkey,
found the Dardanelles closed. against it. The offi-
cer in command took refuge in a friendly port, in
order not to expose himself to an attack. The cap-
tain in command and part of the officers have gone
to Vienna to ask for leave to winter their vessels
at Trieste, so as to return by land. with their men
to Russia. This permission has been granted
them."
Letters from i Trebizond confirm the accounts
already given of the events which have taken
place at Tchuruk and. Shefkatil. These letters
affirm that the Russian troops were three times
more numerous than the Turkish. The son of
Prince Gouriel, who has fallen into the hands of the
Turks, is called. the Prince of Malachia. Three bat-
talions of the infantry of the guard had arrived at
Trebizond,and had proceeded. towards Tchuruk and
Shefkatil. The Turkish forces on that point amount
to 25,000 men. Two orderly officers of Mehemet
Ali Pacha, the Minister of War, had arrived with
injunctions to Selim Pacha and Abdi Pacha to urge
on hostilities vigorously. A special transmission of
gunpowder and other military stores had taken
place for Schamyl and Daniel Bey. The news of
the encounter of the Russians and Circassians near
Kekhetie is confirmed, and the position of the for-
mer at Tiflis and in Georgia is considered preca-
rious, on account of the decided check which
Schamyl gave them at the pass of Daniel, on the
road from Mosdock to Tiflis. It is said that the
Circassians had on that occasion 20,000 men and
60 pieces of cannon, whilst Prince Woronzoff had
only 15,000 men. The Russians, who were at first
worsted, were able afterwards to act on the offen-
sive, in consequence 'of receiving reinforcements
from General Nesteroff and. General Bariatinski,
and Schamyl was obliged to withdraw to the moun-
tains. The loss of the Circassians was about 2,000
men, and that of the Russians is estimated at not
less than 5,000.
The correspondent of the Trieste Observer states
that Fuad Effendi, who is with Omer Pacha as
civil commissioner, has authority to grant decora-
tions and promotions to those officers and soldiers
who distinguish themselves in the field.
The Lloyd of Vienna of the 27th says :—" A
French agent is at present going through Monte-
negro, for the purpose of establishing a French
consulate in that country."
The Cologne Gazette has the following from Ber-
lin, dated the 26th :—" In the negotiations con-
cerning the arrangement of the difference between
Russia and Turkey, there was a proposition from
M. Buol Schauenstein, on the part of Austria, that
the arrangement should he left exclusively to the
belligerent parties, and this proposition is said to
have obtained the assent of the cabinet of St.
Petersburgh, and has been communicated to the
other powers." Up to this moment the answer of
Austria has been that she would. pledge herself to
nothing but to a neutrality, from which she will
not depart so long as her own interests are not
directly affected. The neutrality of a power which
never presents itself but as a Russian catspaw may
well be suspected.
After the battle of Oltenitza, says a letter from
Constantinople, the Sultan sent an autograph letter
to Omer Pacha, expressive of his satisfaction, and
a, fine horse richly caparisoned as a present.
The Wanderer of Vienna speaks of a combat be-
tween a Russian frigate and a Turkish frigate,
near Kule, on the coast of Anatolia, and states,
but without giving any details, that the advantage
remained with the Turkish frigate.
According to a Paris letter in the Independance
of Brussels, " The English have had. their full
share of accident in the passage of the combined
fleets towards Constantinople. The Fury steamer,
on board which was Admiral Dundas, ran violently
on a bank, not indicated on the charts ' • and. the
old Admiral received such a shock that he struck
his head violently against the wainscot of his cabin.
This accident fortunately had no ill consequences ;

but it gave to the two squadrons the opportunity
of testifying all their solicitude for the noble old
man, who so worthily discharges all his duties."

It is not known -what resolution the Ottc,man
Government has formed, in consequence of the
reply of the Prince of Servia. It is probable,
however, that it will be contented if Servia will
act sincerely upon its professions, and, observing
a strict neutrality itself, preserve its territory in-
violate.
It it said that Servia has demanded of the Porte
the return of the Russian Consul-General, and that
his exequatur shall be granted to him.
It is said that as soon as the Emperor of Russia
heard of the passage of the Turks at Oltenitza, and
of the defeat of his forces, he gave orders for the
whole of the Army of Poland to march for the
Principalities, and determined on sending his
Guards and the invalids who garrison the Russian
fortresses, to supply the place of the troops so
moved from Poland. If this be true, it shows a
determination on the part of the Emperor Nicholas
to push the war with the utmost vigour, and it at
the same time proves that the troops which were
to have reinforced Prince Gortschakoff's array
have been otherwise disposed of. After what has
transpired as to the war now raging in the Cau-
casus, there can be little doubt as to where those
troops have been sent.
A Vienna journal states that M. de Ficquelmont
is about to leave that capital for St. Petersburg on
a private mission.
The Patrie, in alluding to a statement in an
English journal, of a conflict between the Turks
and the Servians, says it has reason to believe,
from the last accounts, that the statement is un-
founded.

The Patric says :—" The last accounts from the
Danube announce that a body of Cossacks, having
passed the river during the night above Turtukai
for a reconnaissance, had been surprised by the
Turks, and entirely destroyed."
Intelligence has been received from Smyrna to
the 20th ult. The Serieuse had just arrived there
from Europe with despatzhesfor the French consul.
There were also in the port two Austrian frigates, a
Prussian brig, a Sardinian corvette, and an Ameri-
can corvette. The late military events in Asia had
excited the greatest enthusiasm amongst the popu-
lation.

SWEDEN.
THE SWEDISH DIET.

By Electric Telegraph this morning from Berlin,
the following important intelligence has been
received relative to the speech of the King of
Sweden. It shows that the concentration of troops
in Russian Finland and the naval squadron sta-

tioned at Helsingfors have excited the anxiety and
apprehension of the Swedes :
STOCKHOLM, Nov. 24.

The King opened the Diet to-day in person.
His Majesty's speech contained the following
passage :—" Agreeably to the demands of my Royal
duty and the present political position of Europe,
I will cause to be laid before you a statement of a
complete system of defence. Such a system is im-
peratively called for, in order to place the country
in a position to preserve its independence."