The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-18 00:00:00

THE BALTIC.

Iu a letter received from Paris this morning we
find the following :
" A person who has just come from the Baltic
announces that next year operations will be under-
taken on a large scale in those seas, and that not
merely the lesser forts will be attacked and de-
stroyed, but that Cronstadt will be bombarded with
every chance of a favourable result. Indeed, the
opinion there seems to be that before a year passes
over, the allied flags will float in St. Petersburg.
Contrary to what was, I believe, the opinion gene-
rally received, Finland is reported as Russian—not
out of 'Ova to Russian rule, but out of hatred to
Sweden; and Sweden, no doubt from the same mo-
tive, is said to be suspect. The loss of the French
in the Baltic both from cholera and (it is added)
mismanagement has been much greater than was
supposed, and complaints have been heard against
General Baraguay d'Hilliers."
A morning contemporary has the following :
" It is said in Par;s that some short time since, in
consequence, perhaps, of the disappointment
which it was thought would be felt in England and
France at the combined fleets not having effected
more in the north than the destruction of Bomar-
sund, a meeting of the Admirals, Sir Charles Na-
pier and Admiral Deschenes, and of the superior
officers of the fleets, was held, when the question
was discussed as to the propriety and possibility of
attacking and taking Helsingfors and Sweaborg.
The question was examined in all its bearings, and
the reports of the officers who had been sent to
take soundings on the coast were of course laid be-
fore this naval committee. lam not aware of the
relative proportions of those who were in favour
and those who were against the attack of these
two places ; but it is certain that the decision of the
majority was against it, and it is affirmed that Sir
Charle3 Napier did not dissent from that decision.
In answer to those who considered that an attack
was both feasible and necessary, it was observed
that, though there was little doubt of Helsingfors
and Sweaborg meeting the fate of Bomarsund,
yet that it was impossible for the Allies to keep
these places, and that when after the capture they
were obliged to abandon them, a pretext would
be afforded for the Emperor of Russia to announce
another victory, and to proclaim to his subjects that
the English and French were beaten out of the Gulf
of Finland. Other reasons were alleged, but the
one I allude to was the principal. The minutes of
the proceedings were drawn up in due form and
signed by all the officers present . The meeting then
separated, it having been previously agreed to that
copies of the minutes should be forwarded to the
opinions of the officers of the squadron, but that
these opinions were not in conformity with his own,
and that, on the contrary, he thought the attack
on Helsingfors and Sweaborg ought to be made at
once. This despatch, or postscript, is stated not to
have been communicated to the French Admiral.
This officer became acquainted with the fact soon ,
after ; vnd, without loss of time, sent to his
Government the minutes, which it appears he
drew up from memory, aided by the officers