The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-10 00:00:00

Imperial head-quarters being fixed at Ismahil, in
Bessrabia, about the confluence of the Pruth and
the Danube, with the fact that, precisely in that
same locality, materials are being collected to-
gether for the, construction of a bridge o boats,
evidently to facilitate the passage of the Russian
army across the Danube : and it resolves, there-
upon, to allow the boundary line of that river to
go uncontested. It directs the whole of its ener-
gies to the defence of the great line of the Balkan
mountains—the line which Turkey kept so long
and so well in 1828-9 against the forces of the
AUTOCRAT—the line which separates Bulgaria from
that noble province ofßoumelia, inwhich is situated
the coveted city of Constantinople. To fortify this
position, to strengthen the line of the Balkan in
preference to the line of the Danube, Turkey, we
say, is now dedicating the whole of its energies.
And those energies, so far from being contempt-
ible, as has hitherto been supposed by many, are,
in fact, on the contrary, enormous. In proof of
this it may be mentioned that the mobilisation of
the militia of Roumelia, which has recently
been ordered, will forthwith bring a body
of no less than 90,000 armed men together !
Then it must be remembered that the Divan
has summoned to its aid the by no means
insignificant assistance of the Egyptian con-
tingent. It has hastily multiplied to a sur-
prising extent the munitions of war furnished by
increased labour in all the arsenals. It has put
its fleet at once upon a war footing. Above all,
it has obtained assurances of instant support in
case of need from France and England, by the
simultaneous arrival of their fleets in the passage
of the Dardanelles. Long before the grand Duke
NICHOLAS could cross the Black Sea with the
Russian Fleet from Sebastopol, the French and
British Admirals could have conducted their united
armaments through the channel of the Dardanelles
and across the Sea of Marmora, into the Euxine
by the Bosphorus. Constantinople would then be
effectually guarded, both by land and by sea,
against the maritime and military forces of the
AUTOCRAT. Here the fleet of the CZAR would be
confronted with the combined fleets of VICTORIA,
NAPOLEON, and ABD-UL-MEDJID ! There his Cos-
sacks would be repulsed along the line of the
Balkan by that patriotic army of 120,000
men which is now in rapid course of concen-
tration. Everywhere in those quarters we recog-
nise the auguries of success to the Sublime Porte
in its struggle against the lawless and daring am-
bition of the CzAß—a struggle in which the Divan
is secure of being supported by the majority, if
not the whole, of the Western Powers of Christen-
dom.

Hitherto the Emperor NICHOLAS has been
eulogised by his admirers as the embodiment of
the genius of Conservatism, and, as such, the
Guardian of Civilisation. It remains to be seen
whether he might not be more correctly de-
scribed as the genius of Discord and an un-
principled adventurer, who, in that double capacity,
will be regarded by after ages as the author of
an atrocious war, and as the originator of the last
and the most tremendous of Revolutions.

Last night leave was given to Sir CHARLES
WOOD toibring in the Bill for the better govern-
ment of India, the nature and objects whereof he
explained last Friday in his verbose and prosy
oration. The measure subsequently received its
first reading, and it was ordered to be read a
second time on the 23d instant. Although there
had been a prolonged discussion, during which
the Champions of the Board of Control and of the
Court of Directors gave expression to their respec-
tive views, and defended, if not successfully, at
least most energetically, the existing system, and
several persons, generally supporting the Govern-
ment, expressed their hostility to the present
Bill, no division was taken on the first stage.
The real contest will, therefore, be on the second
reading ; and, if the principle of the Bill should
then be affirmed—if a majority should vote in
favour of double Government and divided re-
sponsibility, or rather irresponsibility, dur-
ing its progress through Committee, when
its various details will be canvassed, and
unless we are grievously mistaken, many divi-
sions will then be taken on the different
clauses—it is, therefore, by no means improbable
that the Ministers will ex necessitate have to com-
ply with the numerous and urgent applications
that have been preferred for delay and further in-
quiry, and to pass a temporary bill providing for
the administration of the affairs of the Eastern
Empire for a single year. It would unquestion,
ably have been much better if they had gracefully
conceded the boon, so temperately, and at the
same time so earnestly, entreated. The dangers
said to be incidental to delay would, in such case,
have been, by no means, so formidable as when
the postponement arose from the weakness, and
not from the consideration of the Government
knowing that these respectful remonstrances had
been slighted and despised, that the adjournment
had been obligatory on the Joint-Stock Adminis-
tration. More energetic means may possibly be
adopted by the friends of Indian Reform, both
here and in Hindostan, than would otherwise have
been considered expedient or justifiable. As it will
have been then so clearly demonstrated that no-
thing is due to the kindness and benevolence of
the Government, the parties interested will not
scruple to turn to the best purpose the advantage
thus acquired, and a well-devised system of agita-
tion will be fully organised. It would be well,
therefore, if the Cabinet should consider these
points, and, ere it be too late, retrace their foot-
steps, and be content with passing a continuance
bill for a single year.
Let us just consider what are the chances of
carrying the bill in its present form before the
prorogation of Parliament. It has been stated,
on authority, that arrangements have been en-
tered into for her MAJESTY'S visit to her Irish
dominions iu the latter end of July. Before that
the Parliamentary holidays must commence, and
Honourable Gentlemen be relieved from the la-
bours of legislation for the remainder of the year.
Were it even otherwise, it is notorious that
no degree of persuasion can induce the Mem-
bers of either branch of the Legislature to
relinquish the various autumnal recreations to
which they may be addicted, or to protract the
usual period of vacation. Barely fiye weeks, then,
will remain from the time appointed for the second
reading, during which period the measure must
be carried through the remaining stages in the
House of Commons, introduced into the other
House, fully discussed on every point, and, if
amendments should be introduced, those amend-
ments reconsidered in the Cemmona, and eventu-
ally perhaps a conference held on the points of
difference between the hereditary and the repre-
sentative branches of the Legislature. Can al
these matters be disposed of within the time

And even if it should be possible, will it not insure
the further dilution of a measure already more
than sufficiently weak, and remarkable only for
its milk-and-water character ? Hitherto few, if
any, of the leading men have taken any part in
the debate, or given expression to their views
on either side of the question. Such a subject can-
not be disposed of without the interference of the
chief members of the late Cabinet. DISRAELI
and WALPOLE, PARINGTON and IlEnniEs must be
heard ; and a decisive position occupied by the
numerous and important party of which they are
supposed to be the leaders. Even if they should
not feel disposed to take a very active part in the
conflict, they will scarcely lend direct assistance

to the Government, or endeavour to extricate

the opponents who exhibited such scant courtesy
towards themselves individually, and the Ad-

ministration of which they formed an influential
portion. Those who are really sincere in their

professions, who are anxious to obtain a large
and comprehensive measure of Indian Reform,
may, should their direct exertions for that mea-

sure prove unavailing, resort to the Fabian

policy, that must inevitably produce the de-
sired effect. Much time must, therefore, be
consumed before the measure can find its way into
the Upper House. And can we suppose that
their Lordships, who have exhibited so much
Jealousy respecting their privileges as an indepen-
dent branch of the Legislature, would consent to
carry, without consideration or discussion, a mea-
sure of such Tau im
pow, pitchforked iuto the