The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-04 00:00:00

BUSSIAN • POWER-CONDUCT OF MINIS-
,TERS- MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

( From the Press of this day.)
Wb ;en Mr. . Disraeli, before the prorogation of Parlia-
ment, sugg,e: tt<ed the expediency of an autumn session, it
was no t, ,se -apprehend, from any wish to unduly mag-
nify the infl it ience of the Legislature, but from an idea
that cir( e arias tances might arise, in the peculiar state
of affair u, try hick the Government might naturally wish
to lay b, efore , Parliament for advice or decision. The
Queen's Ministers in time of war have large powers
committ ed to them. It is for them to conduct
negotiati ons, to conclude treaties, to prescribe rules
and pri neiples of warfare by the issue of orders
in counc. 1, and to direct as they please the move-
ments of our fleets and armies. No powers analogous
to these a re called into requisition when the country is
at peace. We do net say that they are larger than the
public goo, d requires, but that they may net he abased
by a weak or corrupt Administration, it is very desir-
able that tl toy should, more especially at the commence-
ment of afa Teat war, be exercised under the immediate
supervision a f Par!iament.
Why she ui d the Ministry of Lord Aberdeen be re-
luctant to Parliament at this juncture? 'We can
imagine that . a. Government, confident in the sincerity of
its intenthans: and the wisdom of its policy, would be
anxious, in a time of difficulty like the present, to meet
the represe ,atives of the country, if only to receive their
support, and obtain from them such an expression of
the national i will as would invigorate our defenders, and
show our ene my how vain was the hope he had founded
on our assur and instability and desire of peace. We
have had tw, autumn sessions within the last seven
years ; the f irst to mitigate the evils of scarcity in
Ireland, the s econd to determine whether Lord Derby's
Government had a majority in the House of Commons.
It will hardl y be pretended that, in either case, was
there more n eed for the action of the Legislature than
now exists.
The public are not only anxious, but deeply dissatis-
fied on many points. They cannot understand the delay
in the invasii 3n of the Crimea so long after it was almost
officially as nounced—the inactivity of our fleets,
rendered m ore remarkable by the sneers cast on
their comma nders from Ministerial sources—the great
advantages c onceded, contrary to common sense and all
former ulag e, to neutral commerce—the scandalous
inefficiency of our commissariat arrangements for the
Crimea arm 7—the unaccountable delay in the publi-
cation of ant elligence, after the solemn promise of the
Duke of Net vcastle that whatever was received by the
Government should forthwith be made known—fhe
entire absent ,e of any system of postal communication
with the tht :etre of war. Why should Government
shrink from ! meeting inquiry on all these points ? It is
not the least- important function of Parliament to clear up
misconceptis ,ns on Ministerial conduct, or when suspicions
are well-gre ,unded to secure the redress of abuses
by their expo )sure. How long, but for the interference
of Parliamea ,t, might it have remained a doubtful ques-
tion whetht r Mr. Lawley, while possessed of all the
secrets of th .e Exchequer, had really speculated in the
funds ? Ile w long might the Prince Consort have been
exposed to 11e brutal calumny but for the Parliamentary
explanation s which the unreasoning clamour against him
called forth ? It is no secret that certain members of
the Ministir y affect to view Parliament as an obstructive
and antique ted machinery which might advantageously
be dispense( 1 with altogether. It is the Peelite section
of the Cabin let which especially hates, and with reason,
the inquisiti .ve spirit of Parliament ; and we acquit the
Whigs of o Cher blame than of meanly succumbing to
their colleaf ;ues beaureaucratic horror of publicity, and
morbid anti pathy to free debate.
Nor are t hese the only topics requiring Parliamentary
consideratic n. The Ministry, in commencing the war,
commenced also a series of grand experiments. From
their nevebty alone they required watching, and it is
very nec,;wary that the country should now receive
smm infc rr nation on their practical effect. We should
like to know how far Mr. Gladstone's new taxes have
answered his expectations, and whether the receipts
of the rewnue are equal, as he anticipated they
would be, to the expenditure of the war. His manage-
merit of the Exchequer has not inspired much confidence
in his sagitlity. It will be great news to hear that his
schemes h ave proved successful, and that our finances
wider his. care are in a flourishing state. If this be
so, how (tract of him to delay the cheering announce.
'neat ; b ai, if the contrary be the case, the public
will have :to pay dearly for postponing till the last
moment th e necessity fur repel, log his errors.
Every one is astonished and indignant at observing
the effect oil the novel principle of admitting without let
or hindrance the produce of our enemy. The facts of the
case are patent. Russia finds in England abetter market
for her produce than ever she found before. Her credit
is upheld by our payments. Her great landowners, en-
riched by ourlwealth, scoff at the notion of our hostility,
and finding their prosperity enhanced by war, afford it
their cordi: d support. Her Government, through the
continued imports of our gold, is enabled to keep its
paper —notwithstanding enormous fresh issues—at par ;
and thus the war, which we imagined would so im-
pair the fortunes of her nobles and cripple her
resources as to compel her to sue for peace, only
pours a flood of prosperity over the face of the
land, and raises her credit higher than it has
ever stood before. It is literally British capital
which feeds and clothes her troops, and supplies her
with the very sinews of war. .We dwell on these facts,
as they are admitted by the Ministerial prints, and as
they urgently demand—more, perhaps, than any other
single subject—the attention of Parliament, Is it to be
supposed that bad the operation of this order in Council
been foreseen at the time when it was promulgated it
would have been allowed to pass sub silentio by the Le- ,
gislature? Yet the policy is defended, while its evil re-
sults are admitted. Commercial reasons are still pleaded
in its justification, and the question has arrived at that
point when we have to choose between resistance to the
economic projects of the Coalition, and sub-
mission to the Will of the Emperor Nicholas.
It is vain to think of subduing him by wasting
the extremities of his empire while we nourish
its heart, or while we cling to the ignoble principle that
our trade is more precious than our blood, and that the
lives of our brave fellows by sea and land are nothing
in comparison with hemp and tallow. We can strike at
the power of Russia only through the material interests
of her people.
The notion that the power of Russia can be broken in
a single campaign is at an end. There has been a foolish
disposition amongst us to underrate her resources, and
especially her power of resistance. From the commence-
ment of hostilities the Ministerial press has laboured inces-
santly to disguise the real character of the contest. To k, ep
our people in good humour they have been flattered with
the idea of rapid and easy victory. Our boasting, cre-
dulity, and abuse have been carried so far as to make
us appear ridiculous in the eyes of Europe. It is not
by such means that we can hope to conquer our enemy.
We must learn to take a juster measure of his strength
and of our own, and aim not only at conquering his
armies in the field, but at the destruction, by every
means at our command, of the industrial prosperity
which continually renews them, and which is the real
secret of Russia's power and pride.
The war only commenced in reality after our Parlia-
ment had been prorogued. In the interval the whole
aspect of affairs has changed. Sensible persons, slow to
credit that we were really on the brink of a tremen-
dous contest, now shako their heads when peace is men-
tioned, and express their fears that we are at the com-
mencement of a great European war. It is most desi-
rable that Parliament should meet that the country may
more clearly understand its conditions and prospects.
Bat Lord Aberdeen has no taste fur free discussion,
and, in spite of the incalculable mischief his secret in-
triguing ha's occasioned, he still clings to the belief that
he can best administer the affairs of the empire in his
closet, and that the true art of statesmanship is to ex-
clude a nation from taking part in the management of
its own concerns.

GENERAL CANROBERT'S ADDRESS TO
THE FRENCH" TROOPS.

The following is the order of the day addressed to the
army of the East by General Canro bert, on assuming
the command-in-ehief of the French troops. It is dated
from the head-quarters of Tchernaya, Sept. 26 :

" Soldiers of the army of the East, my comrades—
The melancholy circumstances under which has fallen
upon me the high honour of being your commander-in-
chief would increase the weight of that task, if the co-
operation of all were not assured to me in the name of the
country and of the Emperor. Penetrated as I am with the
grandeur of the historical mission which we accomplish on
this distant land, you will each of you bring to it, each
within your sphere, and with the most absolute devoted-
ness, that active part which is indispensable to enable
me to bring it to a successful termination. A few days
more of sufferings and of trials, and you will have caused
to fall at your feet the threatening bulwark of the vast
empire which only a little tinse age braved Europe. The
successes which you have already gained are the gua-
rantees for those which await you ; but do. not forget
that the intrepid marshal who was -our General-in-Chief
prepared them by kis perseverance in organising the
great operation which we execute, and by the brilliant
victory of the Alma. " CANHOBIEST.

NOUVEAU MONDE COMPANT.—The Noveau Monde
Company have issued to their shareholders on account of
their general meeting held at Paris on the 30th of Sep-
tember, together with reports from the g6rant and
Messrs. Taylor and Sons, the London agents, describing
the expenditure into which the company were led by the
advises from Mr. Clement, their manager in California,
the actual natures of which was only discovered upon Mr.
Phillips being sent out to test them. At the Paris
meeting the g6rant was authorised by the shareholders
considered
dintgo
to take such proceedings against Mr. Clement as he
might deem advisable ; and, in preference to winding
up the company, it was unanimously resolve .1 to enter-
tain some propositions recently made for working cer-
twabini
which
very ti
mines tshfaectrepublic o
information
Newation Granada,lvas
con
have been received.

[AnvsivrissmENTl—Holloway's Pills a prompt and
certain
iarycocoiuz for Bilious and Liver Complaints.—Mrs.
of Mayling's-green, near Romford, had been
suffering for many years from bile, sick, headaches, and
a severe liver complaint, for which she tried almost every
medicine usually taken for such complaints, but
could obtain no relief whatever. She then had
recourse to Holloway's Pills, and so wonderful
vs the effect of this inestimable medicine, that in a
vlry short time she was completety cured by thei Suse,
and !low elijoys better health titan ever. Mr.ull,
druggist, Rurnsford, can testify to the iruth of this
Professor Holloway's Establishment. 244, strand, Lion-
don, don awl 0 Alaides-lanes New Yak.

(From the Int:aide Russe.)
On the Bth (20th) September, Prince Menschikoff
occupied a position on the left bank of the Alma, with
42 battalions, 16 squadrons, and 84 pieces of artillery.
The centre of the order of battle was formed on the steep
bank of the river opposite the village of Bonrliouk, and
the left wing on a hill about two versts from the sea ;
the right wing was the weakest point of the position.
In front of the line of battle, the village of Bour-
lioukrbeys
esrhraer posfh oot
threeer . Behind c
ieonttiroet
rwy a s
tphoosstee d
oaf
and the adjoining vineyards were occupied
niethe
nt s of
regiments
ArGlhynia, Minsk, and Moscow), with two light
fuot batteries ; on their right, the two regiments of hus-
sars with two light foot batteries, and on the right of
these the two regiments of hussars with two batteries of
horse-artillery, and behind the right wing the regiment
of chasseurs of Ouglitsch. A reserve battalion of the
regiment of Minsk had been detached to occupy the
village of Buloukoul, behind the left flank of the posi-
tion, close to the sea coast. At noon the enemy marched
upon the Alma, and resolutely attacked our position.
Their right wing consisted of the French, and their left
of the English ; the Turks remained in reserve behind
the French troops. Both advanced with precision in
extended lines, under the protection of a thick chain of
sharp-hooters armed with carbines. Ours received the
enemy with a well directed fire, and in a few instants
a sharp fire of small arms was opened all along the line
of battle. From the commencement of the battle, the
numerous sharpshooters of the enemy, armed with car-
bines with conical balls, made great ravages in our ranks.
A great number of officers fell the first victims to that
murderous weapon, and this circumstance naturally
had a great influence on the further progress of the
battle. After occupying the vineyards of the right
bank of the Alma, the enemy's battalions formed into
columns and crossed the river, and deployed again in lines
on the opposite bank, notwithstanding the constant
fire of our batteries. Prince Menschikoff gave orders
to the first line to receive the enemy at the point of
the bayonet, in order to drive him over the river
again. Several times our 'battalions, headed by their
intrepid chiefs, charged the enemy with the bayonet, but
each time, meeting with the terrible rolling fire of the
deployed line, or by the thick chain of skirmishers with
the carbines, they were repulsed with great loss. The
enemy's infantry sustained with firmness, and without
; the
wavering, the well-directed fire of
our artillery
deployed battalions lay down, and took cover behind
th •
the shelter afforded by the ground, while en- h arp.
shooters kept shooting down our artillerymen. In
one of our divisions of eight guns, all the men and
horses were disabled. Whilst this sanguinary contest
was going on in the centre of the position and on our
right wing,
the left wing notwithstanding its distance
from the sea was reached by the projectiles of the fleet.
Under cover of the fire from the ships, a French co-
lumn, having at its head some African troops called
Zouaves, crossed the valley of the Alma near the seashore,
and rapidly climbed the cliff by a path through
a *arrow
ravine. The appearance of these troops on our flank,
and almost on our rear, obliged Princexi • Menschikoff to
bring up from the reserve the regiments
Moscow, and some squadrons of hussars.
nlents
of
Mix"
and
The French
had, however, succeeded in establishing
the heights, which received
our reserve with such a
sharp fire that they were obliged.
to fall back. Prince
Menschikoff, then, seeing his
not being left wing turned, and the
centre and right win
ground in consequencge of eing
able to maintain their
the enormous losses they had
suffered, began to withdraw his troops towards the
Katcha. In order to re rea cover their t thbrought up
the brigade of hussars,
andthis , eder. a s
the considerable losses which
measure
the
enemy
hadan suffered,
checked the pursuit. They
remained on the Alma,
and our troops at midnight crossed the Katcha. In
this sanguinary combat both parties suffered very consi-
derably. We had 1,762 men killed, 2,315 wounded,
and 405 received contusions. 45 superior and subaltern
officers are among the killed, and among the wounded
are Generals Kvitsinsky, Sichelkanoff, Goguinoff and
Kourtianoff,, 'and 96 superior and subaltern officers.
The loss of the enemy is not known with any certainty,
but, according to some reports, it even exceeded ours;e
the
obstinate under any circumstances, it is impossible that
obstinate attack of their battalions, under the aliower
of our shot and grape, has not coat the allies very dear.

EXTENSIVI BURGLIRY.—Another of these mysterious
and peculiar robberies, which of late have been so fre.
quent in the metropolis, has taken place on the exten-
sive premises of Messrs. Debeilham, Son, and Fresbody,
siikmereers, Wigoiere-street, Cavendish-square. On en.
ternig, the thieves appeared to have at once commenced
packing the most valuable silks and 'stills, wkich tiie
picked by* the stock, and, got clear off,