The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-26 00:00:00

THE WAR

Europe, and to engender a delusive faith in negotiations
which are at this time impossible. While negotiations
were pending and any hope of peace remained, this jour-
nal persevered in a course of great forbearance and mode-
ration, which our adversaries attempted to misrepresent
to our disadvantage ; but, as we replied at the time,
although we were the last to urge this country into hos-
tilities, we shall also be the last to withdraw from those
hostilities until we have obtained complete satisfaction
of our just demands. The only road to peace now is
the energetic and triumphant prosecution of the war.
There may be an infinite variety of reasons for not going
to war at all, and for avoiding altogether, if possible, a
a contest so onerous while it lasts, and so hazardous in
its effects upon the political relations of the world. But
no reasons are of, avail to show that, once engaged in
war, we are not to carry it on to the extremity of suc-
cess by wresting from the enemy the means of renewing
such a quarrel. After what has happened, the existence
of the Ottoman empire and the independence of the East
require a total revision of the former treaties between
Russia and the Porte, under the control of the other
Powers of Europe, the free navigation of the Danube,
with security for the clearance of the bar or the con-
struction of a ship canal across the Dobrudscha, the de-
struction of the exclusive naval ascendancy of Russia in
the Black Sea, and the independence, which we have
now recognised, of the Circassian coast. In comparison
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mere evacuation of the Principalities is a temporary
question, which may be left to the German Powers, who
cannot allow the Danube and its tributaries to be incor-
porated in the Russian empire. But to exact from Russia
the four articles we have just mentioned is to diminish
on four important points the position she occupied before
the war, and no one can anticipate that she will give
way on these pints except upon compulsion.
We speak thus clearly on this matter because we have
observed that idle reports are afloat on the subjectiof
negotiations, of a congress to be held at Vienna, of the
mediation of the German Powers, and of the restoration
of peace on the status quo ante bellunt. It is not to be
supposed that Lord Aberdeen, with his long experi-
ence of public affairs, and with the knowledge of the
present state of Europe, which the Government
alone completely possesses, can be deceived by
these insinuations, or that he can commit the
error of mistaking the commencement of a war for
the end of it. But, even if we could imagine that some
scheme for the renewal of negotiations on the present
basis lurked in the sanguine mind of the Prime Minister,
it is evident that no such hopes or intentions are shared
by any of his colleagues. All the speeches recently made
by Lord Clarendon, by the Duke of Newcastle, and by
Lord John Russell, demonstrate that, if such views ex-
ist at all, or in any quarter, they are not the views on
which the Government is prepared to act. But it is due
to the House of Commons and to the nation that no
shadow of uncertainty should rest on a point of such
vital consequence to the issue of the struggle in which
we are engaged. It is alike inconsistent with the cha-
racter of a Minister and with the honour Of the country
that any doubt should exist as to the energy and ear-
nestness of the statesmen on whom the conduct of the
war devolves. To direct the forces of a great nation, to
put forth the resources of the country, to combine the
efforts of military strength with the objects of political
foresight, to provide against reverses, and to use success
with decisive effect until it enables us to dictate an hon-
ourable peace, are the most arduous and glorious achieve-
ments of statesmanship. Never was a British Minister
more nobly supported by the liberality of Parliament, by
the spirit and union of the people, and by the resolution of
the country to carry on this war to a successful termi-
nation. But, since these sacrifices have been cheerfully
made for a great public object, the country expects that
they shall not be made in vain. In comparison with
the one paramount object--sthe successful prosecution of
the wain, in which our honour and our interests are so
deeply engaged—all personal pretensions and party dis-
tinctions subside into indifference. For such a purpose
we have not more choice as to the other qualifications of
a Minister than we have in the selection of an officer to
command her Majesty's troops in the field. Experience
of military administration, judgment, and decision are
the qualities most indispensable to a War Minister; and
wherever they are found in the highest degree the coun-
try will he best served. If those faculties are wanting,
or if the high duties of the Ministers of this country are
lowered to the selfish intrigues the effects of which we
have recently witnessed, the war will be prolonged, and
all the evils it inflicts on humanity will be increased.
Every e ror of judgment, every opportunity neglected,
may cost thousands of lives and affect the best interests
of the country ; but the first condition of success is to
inspire the people of England and our allies with un-
shaken confidence in the energy of the Government, and
to convince our adversaries that they have to deal with
men who will not stop short in the course of action in
which they aro engaged.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.
We learn by letters dated as late as the 16th inst.
that Admiral Plumridge's detached flying squadron of
paddle steamers, consisting of the Leopard, 18 (flag),
the Vulture, 6, the Odin, 16, and the Valorous, 16,
since it has been up the Gulf of Bothnia, has encountered
some very severe work, what with ire and shoals, which
has damaged their paddlewheels a good deal. They have
destroyed on the coast of Finland 45 vessels, of from
1,200 tons to 100 tons, and, by the lowest estimate that
has been made, 300 0001. worth of property, consisting
of tar, timber, a little saltpetre, and tallow. The dis-
aster at Gamla-Karleby is thus described :—On the 7tinst. the Vulture and Odin were sent into Garcia-
Karleby, 64 deg. 50 min. north, where they Lad to an-
chor five miles from the town. Their boats were sent
in under the command of the First Lieutenant (Mr.
Charles Wise) of the Vulture, who was surprised by a
large force of regular troops, armed with rifles and field-
guns, who were wholly concealed and protected by
strong wood stores, so that not a man was seen. The
consequence was a murderous onslaught. The loss from
the Vulture was one man killed, and one wounded, and
a paddle box boat, with one mate(Mr.Morphy), 27 men
and the boat's 24-pounder carronade, "missing, cap•
tured, or sunk." The loss from the 0 !in was three
officers killed—Lieutenant Carrington ; Mr. Montague,
mate ; Mr. Athorpe, midshipman ; and three men—
Thomas Tatman, captain of the maintop ; John Rey-
nolds, Royal Marine Artillery ; and James Sirman,
Royal Marine. First-Lieutenant Lewis, R.M., Mr.
Magrath, midshipman, and 15 men were wounded. The
wounded were all out of danger when our letters left.
By a letter from Memel. dated the 20th inst., the Holy-
rood, hired steam transport, Commander Lovett, from
Copenhagen to Faro in 37 hours, was expected to reach
the fleet yesterday. The Archer, 14, screw steamship,
Captain Edmond Heathcote, had left Faro for Memel.
Captain Astley C. Key is senior officer on the Coin-land
Coast, and has with him the Archer, Conflict, and
Cruiser, under his orders. The Amphion, on the 20th
instant, took on board 30 head of cattle, and proceeded
with them for Sir Charles Napier's fleet, then off Dago.
The hired contract steam transport Captain W. H.
Franklin embarked on Saturday at Portsmouth 23 of
the 6th Enniskillen Dragoons to take the place of those
lost in the Europa, 17 of the 17th Lancers, 150 of the
Ist Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, 40 officers, and 60
horses, for conveyance to Varna, for which place she left
Portsmouth Harbour at 9 o'clock yesterday morning.
She will touch at Gibraltar and embark those officers
and men of the 6th Dragoons saved from the Europa,
and carry them on to the seat of war. She also takes
out a large quantity of cavalry forage, about 200 cases
of horseshoes, 50 cases of swords, &c.
The Algiers, 91, Captain the Hon. Charles Talbot,
steamed from Hamoaze into the Sound on Saturday
afternoon, with royal yards across. It is expected that
she will leave the port on Thursday next.
A telegraphic message from the Admiralty is said to
have been received at Plymouth, announcing that eight
of the prisoners taken from the Tiger near Odessa are
exchanged for a similar number of Russian prisoners,
and that Surgeon Domville is one of the officers so
exchanged.
His Netherland Majesty's instruction brig Zeehond,
Commander Escher, from Holland, entered Plymouth
Sound yesterday morning, under a Royal salute from the
batteries in the citadel, which was acknowledged by her.
She is on a cruise for the purpose of exercising cadets
and young seamen.
The newly-built screw-sloop Swallow, lately launched
at Pembroke, arrived at Portsmouth yesterday morn-
ing, in charge of Mr. King, master of the St. Vincent,
and a navigating party sent from that ship to take her
to Portsmouth, where she is ordered to be immediately
supplied with her engines and equipped fur service. She
is a handsome-looking vessel.
On Saturday another Russian prize, a barque, over
500 tons, called the Augusta, cut out of Ekness by her
Majesty's ships Heels and Arrogant, arrived at Orford-
ness' Hango Bay, in charge of a prize crew. She will
be brought to the port of London for condemnation.
The Augusta is said to be one of the most valuable prizes
yet made, she and her cargo being estimated at 70,0001.
On the 22d inst. the ward-room officers of the Water-
loo, 120, entertained at dinner Vice-Admiral the Hon.
Joceline Percy, C. 8., as a mark of respect previous to
'his hauling down his flag on the Ist of next month.
Captain Lord Frederick Kerr and Arthur Price, Se-
cretary, will remain under the next flag.
A draught of able seamen, also 78 ordinaries and
second-class ordinary seamen, who have been under in-
struction in this ship, have been draughted to the Han-
nibal, 90 guns, screw steam-ship.
The Hannibal completed her coaling on Saturday
evening last, and to-day commences to swing ship for
the adjustment of her compasses. She is still in want of
able seamen to make up her compliment of 750.
The Royal Albert, 131 guns, new screw steamship, is
masted complete, and only waiting the rise of these
spring tides to be docked. The pendent has not yet
been hoisted up to this time, 8 p.m.
The Wolverine, 12 gun-sloop, Commander John Cor-
bett, arrived here from Chatham this day, towed down
by the steam-vessel Adder, Mr. Muncheon, second mas-
ter in command, and under pilot charge of Thomas Craf-
ter, Queen's pilot at Chatham.
Commander John B. Marsh, now serving in the Wa-
terloo, it is reported will take the command of the Star;
if so, the crew of the Star may consider themselves go-
verned by a lucky planet. Commander Marsh is too
well known to the old tars serving in the navy, and also
to some thousands of new early raised men and boys
who have been instructed in their duties under his im-
mediate inspection, on board the Waterloo and other
ships he has served in, to require anything sail of him
to induce seamen to follow him, whichever be his ship,
be it the little Star or the noble Royal Albert.
The mail for the Baltic fleet, via Belgium to Dantsic,
whence it will be carried on to the fleet by a war steamer,
will be made up to-morrow evening.
On Friday a number of officers and privates of the 11th
Regiment, together with 96 of the 31st Foot, proceeded
through Bristol en route for Winchester and the Isle of
Wight, they having volunteered into the 33d, 38th 44th,
77th, and 79th regiments, now on service in Turkey.
The circumstances under which they volunteered afford
a striking, proof of the military enthusiasm of our soldiers
with respect to the present war. It seems that on
Thursday the colonel commanding the South Wales dis-
trict went to Brecon for thepurpose of seeing how many
of the depot of the 11th Regiment, there stationed, would
volunteer for the war in the East of Europe. The num-
ber of men in the depot did not exceed 200, and the
appeal of the gallant commander was responded to by no
less than 157 brave fellows, who at once stepped forward
and proffered their services to their country.