The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-14 00:00:00

REPORTER ALMANAC.

This almanac, which forms the annual supplement of
the Reporter, a journal devoted to the discussion of
topics connected with assurance companies, land and
building societies, and savings' banks, will prove a very
useful, if not an almost necessary companion to all who
are interested in these valuable institutions, the rapid
increase of which constitutes one of the most important
features of our social progress. In addition to 40 large
pages of ordinary almanac information, there is a list of.
all the fire and life assurance offices both in London and
the provinces, with the names of the officers, and in
many instances the financial position of each ; a list of
every saving bank in tire kingdom, with similar details ;
an elaborate essay on assurance in all its branches ; and
an exposition of the advantages to be derived from the
different above-mentioned societies. The other contents
consist of a republication in extenso of the report of the
Parliamentary committee on assurance offices, and of
the Government Annuities Act of last session, and au
article by Mr. Tidd Pratt on the mode of keeping the
accounts of friendly societies. Altogether the almanac
is got up in a very creditable manner, and deserves the
support of the public.

RAPID TRANSMISSION OF THE INDIA MAIL.—In con
sequence of the Bengal and Colombo, two large screw
steamers, running in conjunction with the India and
China mail this month, it has just arrived in the quickest
time on record. The Colombo made a splendid out-
ward passage, having made the run to Alexandria in
ten and a half days, a distance of 2,951 miles, after
stopping at Gibraltar and Malta. She is expected at
Southampton on Sunday next, five days before her
contract time. In consequence of the rapid conveyance
of the India and China mail this time, we have received
telegraphic news from Hong Kong in 44 days, from
Calcutta in 37 days, and from Bombay in 27 days.
There are four mails expected at Southampton next
Sunday, viz., the Tay, from the Brazils ; the Iberia,
from the Peninsula ; the Colombo, from Egypt ; and
the Solent from the West Indies. The United States
mail steamers commence running between America and
England the latter end of this month. The Washington
leaves New York for Southampton on the 22d instant.

854,

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS,

RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

WAR ON THE DANUBE.-RENEWAL OF
THE FIGHTING AT KALAFAT.

The Moniteur of this day (Saturday) publishes
the following :
" A despatch from Vienna announces that on
the 6th January a Turkish division of 15,000 men,
with fifteen pieces of artillery, attacked the fortified
position of the Russians at Citale, near Kalafat,
and carried it ; causing a loss of 2,000 killed, to
the Russians. A reinforcement of 18,000 Russians,
from Krajowa, was compelled to retreat, with a
loss of 250 men.

"On the 7th the fighting was renewed with
vigour, without any decided advantage on either
side. On the Bth the combat recommenced."

Despatches from Orsova, of the 12th inst., an-
nounce that two battles had taken place near Citale,
with variable results.

By them it appears that on the 6th the Turks
had 400 killed, and lost six guns.
They add that on the Bth there was a heavy
loss on both sides.

The Russians lost four guns, and retreated to
Matzaczey, towards Krajowa.
The news is confirmed by despatches received by
the Austrian Government from Widdin.

A telegraphic despatch from Semlin, says the
contest on the 6th was fearful, and that nearly
2,500 Russians were left dead upon the field.
The Turkish basis of negotiation has arrived at
Vienna, and, after having been sanctioned collec-
tively by the representatives of the Four Powers,
has been forwarded to St. Petersburg with their

joint approval.
A letter from Krajova says that the engineers of
the country have received from the Russian Gene=
ral Aurep the most pressing instructions to render
passable for heaVy artillery the roads leading
through Slatin to Karakal. General Aurep has
just received the order to depart from Krajova with
a division of infantry and a brigade of cavalry to
invest Kalafat.

The troops of the corps of Osten-Sacken have
passed through Jassy towards Roman and thence
into Wallachia. The Moldavian cavalry has re-
ceived orders to hold themselves ready formarching.
Two private despatches from Constantinople of
the 31st—one from Marseilles by the Chaptal
steamer, the other by Trieste—mention that the
Prussian and Austrian Ambassadors at Constanti-
nople were " in a state of consternation" when the
orders were received for the combined fleets to en-
ter the Black Sea. The despatch from Trieste adds,
that both Ambassadors had protested against that
measure. It was rumoured in Paris on Thursday
that a communication was received from Vienna,
expressing the " surprise" occasioned by two
Powers taking it upon themselves to solve the
Eastern question by the orders given to the fleets,
when that question had been taken into considera-
tion by the four Powers, with a view to an arrange-
ment.

The Patric contains the following remarks on
the accounts lately received of the advantage ob-
tained by the Turks over the Russians in the
neighbourhood of Kalafat :
" A letter from Constantinople, of the Ist, gives us
some fresh details full of interest. The fact of an im-
portant advantage gained by the Ottoman army at Kala-
fat, had been officially announced to the representatives
of the Powers. Full details of the action were wanting ;
it was only known that Omar Pacha had attacked in de-
tail during several days the different Russian corps,
forming together
a force of 30,000 men ; that the Turkish
troopshadintentionally retired on their centre, and had
drawn the Russians as far as Kalafat, a position fortified
in a very formidable manner, but which at a distance
had the appearance of having been abandoned. The
Turkish batteries were suddenly unmasked, and caused
the Russians considerable loss, whilst the Ottoman re-
serve, which had passed the Danube in the night, and
were concealed behind a wood, took them in flank and
compelled them to retreat. It was also known that the
inhabitants of Lesser Wallachia, who had every day
shown themselves more and more favourable to the
Turks, had powerfully aided in the success of the Ottoman
army. The same letter gives us information relative to
the state of Affairs in Asia, the correctness of which we can
guarantee. The reverses of Akiska and Alexandropol are
far from having the importance which it has been sought to
give them ; and, moreover, since the nomination of a new
general-in-chief, and the adoption of another plan of
campaign by the Divan, the face of things had changed.
The Turks had obtained some successes, and they were
preparing for others. Two facts of great importance
had just occurred. A convoy carrying 15,000 men as
reinforcements for the army of Asia, was to leave
Batomn on the 3d, if the state of the weather. permitted.
This convoy had nothing to fear from the Russian ves-
sels, which were not in a condition to leave Sebastopol,
either to attack the Turks, or even to revictual their
army in Asia, which was in a very unsatisfactory condi-
tion. The second fact was the arrival at Constantinople
of an envoy sent by Schamyl, and bringing the most
positive assurances of devotedness to the Sultan and his
Government. That great warrior, who, with restricted
resources, had for so long kept Russia in check, had
been so much in want of stores that for several months
past he had given orders to his soldiers to husband their
ammunition, and only to fire on the officers. Ho has
lately received a supply which the Porte has sent him,
and he has just sent to thank the Sultan, and to say
that he might rely on his most energetic efforts on hi,
behalf. The assistance of Schamyl and his warriors is
worth a whole army. On the lit the weather was rather
better, and the wind began to veer round to the south-
ward. This explains why the combined squadrons were
able to enter the Black Sea on the 3d."
It was rumoured at Trebizond. that Prince Wor-

onzoff was seriously indisposed, ~ and, at all
events, even if he recovers his health, it is believed
that his great age will prevent him from continu-
ing his functions. It is not said by whom he will
be succeeded. Of the Russians it may be averred,

as of the Turks, that, if soldiers are in abundance,
there is a great want of generals. It is, in fact,
generally admitted that the Turkish army is sadly
deficient not merely in generals, but in staff and
regimental officers. It is believed, however, that
in case of the war extending, French generals
would take the command of some divisions, and
subaltern officers be employed to discipline the
regiments. Hitherto the Turkish Government—
to avoid giving offence to Austria—bas avoided as
much as possible employing Polish or Hungarian
officers ; but, in the emergency referred to, Turkey
would be justified in availing herself of all the re-
sources within her reach.
The audacity of the partisans of Russia but too
plainly proves that the forbearance displayed by
the western powers has been attributed to a wrong
cause. In spite of the unmistakeable language of
the French circular, they affect to believe that in
the decisive moment " the western powers will
back out and leave Turkey to her fate." The Oest
Correspondenz of Jan. 9 contains a leader, of which
the subjoined is a summary :—The news of the
approaching entrance of the Anglo-French fleet
into the Black Sea has caused anxiety in " cer-
tain circles" (mercantile) lest the peace of Eu-
rope should be disturbed. The possibility of a
conflict " between some of the great powers" is not
denied, but this very danger ought to stimulate the
Governments to increase their efforts for the main-
tenance of peace. The. Ministerial organ does not
believe that the measure announced by the Moni-
teur is likely to further the work of peace which
Austria and Prussia, in common with France and
England, undertook on the sth of last month. The
stereotype remark relative to the good faith of Rus-
sia is made, and it is concluded that the entrance of
the fleets into the Black Sea " is merely for the fur-

therance of peace, and in order to confine within the
narrowest possible limits the war between Russia
and Tutkey." Although this step is not in unison
with the views of the great German Powers, " the
good offices of Austria in restoring harmony be-
between the Powers with which she is on friendly
terms, as also between Russia and the Porte, will
not be wanting. Whatever turn affairs may take,
the one thing certain is, that there is not
_sufficient
ground for Austria's taking any share in the hos-
tile proceedings. Whatever may be the chances
of war, the integrity of Turkey and of its direct or
indirect territorial possessions is guaranteed on all
sides. The relations of the Imperial Cabinet with
all the great Powers are described as being un-
clouded, and there is not one of them which has
not most important reasons for desiring to remain
on good
,terms with Austria. The article winds up
with a repetition of the assertion that there is no
reason for supposing that the Empire will be in-
volved in the war, and "that without further sa-
crifices and exertions it will be able on all sides to
uphold its honour, political position, and interests."
The Lloyd contains a leader which is as pithy and
nervous as the foregoing article is vapid. and feeble.
Stronger epithets your readers can apply if they
please. After declaring that neutrality in such a
question as the present is impossible, the Lloyd
says that what makes the present situation of afiairs
so remarkable is that the Power which are interested
in the maintenance of Turkey only i u the second and
third degree are the first to take up arms in her de-
fence. England is represented as being interested
in the second, France in the third, and Austria in
the first degree. The author of the following few
sentences is not an Austrian, hut he certainly has
" hit the nail on the head " when he says that the
policy of Austria would be to prevent the war at
a:ly and every sacrifice. " The next word in the
great European question Russia has to speak, and
if that word be acceptable to the other Powers

it will be decisive. If not so, then it behoves
Austria to act. It is in her power to prevent
war, which, once commenced, will convulse the
whole hemisphere. To look on would be to en-
courade the flame, to interpose would be to extin-
guish it. Austria requires no new policy ; she has•
only to follow her ancient political traditions,
which never led her behind Russia." Austria is told
that she will best show her friendship by restraining
her Northern neighbour. "It requires no little
courage, strength, and resolution to maintain the
peace of Europe just now, but a proper exertion of
these three qualities will certainly prove sufficient."
With a courage which excites astonishment, when
the position of the press in Austria is taken into
consideration, the policy of Russia towards Turkey
is denounced, as is her stolid obstinacy in refusing
to take advantage of the numerous opportunities
which have been given her of withdrawing with
honour from the dangerous path into which she has
entered.

A Constantinople letter, dated the 26th ult.,
states that both the English and French ambas-
sadors have recently received new and very decisive
instructions from their Governments. The French
ambassador has been empowered to offer to the
Porte an auxiliary force of 30,000 men, in case the
last proposals for peace be rejected by Russia. It
is said, however, that the Sultan will hesitate to
accept the offer of the French Government without
the perfect concurrence of England, from fear of
causing jealousy between the two Powers.