The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-06 00:00:00

TURKEY.

We find the following in the Debats :
" Our letters by the Egyptus give some fresh informa-
tion as to the proceedings of Prince Menschikoff, which
is not with interest. The language of the Russian en-
voy is md4,e conciliating, and his forms more mild, but
there is still in his conduct an affectation of superiority
which wounds and irritates the susceptibility of the
Turkish Government. Soon after his arrival, the
Prince sent emissaries into all the provinces of the em-
pire ; these emissaries, who were chosen from among
the persons who accompanied him, are charged to in-
spect these provinces, to state the respective number of
the different populations ; the state of the Turks and of
the Greek, Latin, or free Catholics ; to make inquiries
relative to the functionaries of the Government ; to as-
certain the extent of their influence and authority, and
the use they make of it ; to study the feelings of the
people, and whether they are
_favourable or otherwise
towards the Government. One of these envoys of Prince
Menschikoff, Admiral Kirloff, has been specially sent
to Athens ;. he is to render an account of the military
position of that capital and of the port of the Piraeus,
and he will also explore, in the same point of view, the
gulfs of Nauplio and Coron. Admiral Kirloff is accom-
panied by two officers, who will carry their investiga-
tions as far as the frontiers of Montenegro, and will even
proceed into the interior of that conntry if they find it
necessary. As we have already said, the Prince was
received on the 10th instant, at a private audience of the
Sultan, but it was merely one of etiquette and courtesy,
in which everything passed of coolly, but with strict pro-
priety, Nothing in the shape of business was alluded to.
On the 15th Prince Menschikoff had not yet handed in
his ultimatum. It is nevertheless said that he has de-
clared that he should not oppose the question of the Holy
Places being made the subject of a conference to be
opened at Constantinople, between Russia, the Porte,
France, and Austria, on condition, however, that before
any discussion Russia and the Porte shall come to an un-
derstanding on the points long since settled to the bene-
fit of Russia by treaties, or conventions or capitu-
tions before they were modified by the late Firmans,
in order to establish .the point from which the discus-
sions were to start, and moreover provided it be
agreed that whenever the Porte makes any concession to
France, Austria, or England, an equivalent one shall be
made to Russia in order that her position may always
preserve the pre-eminence and experience no relative
weakening. A few days after the imperial conference
of the 10th, the Grand Vizir went in great state to pay
an official visit to Prince Menschikoff. This visit pro-
duced a great impression on the public mind at Con-
stantinople. It was said that a Grand Vizir had never
before paid a visit to a foreign minister, and the Turks
regarded the unusual demonstration as a proof of the
decadency of their empire. The accounts which had
reached the Turkish capital capital relative to the move-
ments of the Russian armies, also caused great agitation
in the public mind. The 4th corps which is stationed
in Besserabia, will be reinforced by detachments from
Odessa ; and will afterwards approach the Turkish
frontier. An immense quantity of stores has been
collected at Odessa, and on different points of
the coasts, sufficient for an army of from
150,000 to 200,000 men for a long campaign.
Enlightened men nevertheless think that these mili-
tary movements on the part of Russia, are only in-
tended to exercise a moral influence over the Porte, and
that the Emperor Nicolas entertains no idea of war. It
is generally believed that the present crisis will be paci-
fically settled, and we completely share in this opinion.
It is, however, a serious attack made on the Ottoman
Government, from which it will be difficult for it to soon
recover."
A dispatch (says the _Patric) from the Piraaus
states that several French, English, and Russian
vessels of war were lying in the port. A superior
officer in the Russian army had arrived at Athens,
where he had been received in a private audience
by their Grecian Majesties. Intelligence hid been
received from Constantinople perfectly satisfactory
as to the situation of affairs in the Levant. At
the present moment there is a general maritime
movement in this part of the Mediterranean, but
not the slightest apprehension of hostility is enter-
tained.