The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-03 00:00:00

THE CAPTURE OF THE ALAND ISLES.

We extract the following from a letter received from
Paris yesterday :
There is a Power whose sympathies and partialities in
favour of Russia are manifested on all and every occa-
sion. There is no difficulty in guessing that the one
alluded to is Prussia. Independently of any other proof.
in the course of the campaign of Bornarsund a great
number of facts demonstrated that tendency. With refe-
rence, however, to this Power, as also to Sweden and
Denmark, the English and French Governments have
adopted an excellent policy ; it consists simply in cea,ing
to identify these Governments with Russia, and in leav-
ing them completely out of the question, and excluded
from participation in any future treaties—as if, in tact.
Europe no longer attached any importance or any interest
whatever to their opinion. Such a policy is the only one
which is likely to be attended with favourable results.
These three Governments, with the evidence of the
military success of the Allied Powers, which has pro-
duoed throughout the entire North a prodigious sensa-
tion, to be soon increased by the approaching fall of
Sebastopol, will be the best auxiliaries of the allies, and
will enable us for our operations of next year to establish
ourselves at Kiel and at Gothland. The information we
have already acquired in the Baltic is most extensive
and valuable.

The Gulf of Finland only contains two strong places
which it would be necessary to possess ourselves of—
Sweaborg, which will render us masters of Finland ;
and Cronstadt, which will open to us the road to St.
Petersburg. Revel is of little or no use ;it is without
any strategical line ; its port is completely bare, and
does not contain a single vessel, and for several years
past it has ceased to serve as a station to the Russian
navy. The capture of Sweaborg, with the maritime
resources which we shall have at our disposal next
year, and with a corps of from 30,000 to 40,000 men,
is certain. The nature of the coast is such that a
landing cannot be prevented, provided it be effected at
from five to six miles from Helsingfors, which also can
be taken. It is very litte fortified, and, situate as it is
at the distance of half a mile from Sweaborg, completely
commands this fortress. Attacked with such advan-
tages, both by land and sea, Sweaborg will infallibly fall,
and once taken, Finland will belong to us, for the nature
of a • ground does not permit an army to keep the field.
By making use of the same plan and the same means
Cronstadt cannot hold out.

The capture of the Aland Isles is much more impor-
tant than has heen supposed. Its main object was to
effect a diversion in the 13,11 tic, to completely occupy the
attention of the Rusiions, and to allow of the prepara-
tions for the expedition to the Crimea ; and that object
has been attained. The Russians were led to believe

that the grand attack in the Baltic would take place this
year. They maintained there an enormous force, and
neglected the Crimea, in which they otherwise would
have concentrated all their strength and resources.
It was firmly believed at St. Petersburg that Sweaborg
and Cronstadt were to be attacked before the close of
the campaign, while any attempt on Sebastopol was re-
garded as impossible. It was that conviction which oc-
casioned the counter orders for the despatch of the
troops that Prince Menschikoff had demanded as far
back as June.

Independently of that consideration, the takirig of
Bomarsuod is important as a military operation. Tne
defence made by the Russians was contemptible, and
the allies, in-fact, encountered nothing like a serious re-
sistance ; but Ru-sia has lost in it a military and mari-
time est4blishment of immense importance for the
future. It is admirably situate, and its bay, Luna-
par, is one of the finest of Europe. An equivalent for
the loss of Bornarsund cannot be found anywhere.
Such as it was, it not only could be defended, but ren-

dered very difficult to be taken if the Russians had de-
fended the passes, and tried to prevent our landi^g.
Of the ga-rison th(ra was only the battalion of Finns,
amounting to 500 men, who really offered resistance.
It would be well that the allies should not count upon
Esthonia, Courland, Livonia, or the Grand Duchy of St.
Petersburg. The ignoble and odious Government of
the Emperor Nicholas is not popular with the inhabi-
tants of these countries, who are utterly degraded be-
yond what any one can conceive ; but we may rest as-
sured that the allies will not find the fanaticism of 1812,
because all these races are of German origin, and even
at St. Petersburg itself there are very few Russians.
Fanaticism is not to be met with ; it will only be math-

fasted at Moscow, whither the Emperor will fly after the
taking of St. Petersburg, and whither, it is more than
probable, we shall not follow him.
The abandonment of the Isles of Aland, which has
not been well understood in France, was indispensable.
The country offers no resources either for lodging or
feeding troops, and the climate is so severe that we
should in all probability fall victims to it, even to a man.
The expeditionary corps, which was no more than 9,000
effective men, lost in a few days by cholera 800 men.
It was a sad sight. The fleet suffered less.
A few words on the squadrons may not be uninterest-
ing. The French squadron, composed almost entirely
of sailing vessels, experienced many difficulties of navi-
gation, but overcame them with much skill. "It is
commanded (I here quote the words of my informant)
by a very superior officer, Admiral Parseval, an excel-
lent seaman, a distinguished warrior, an excellent man
of the world, and an eminent politician. The whole of
the operations have been judiciously planned, well
execut•d, and useful. The officers and crews are
excellent. The Admiral is much respected by the
English, who look upon him as a thorough sailor
and a perfect gentleman. The English squadron
is magnificent ; 13 screw ships of the line and nine fri-
gates (crew) of the most consummate beauty, exclusive
of the rest. The captains are men of great distinction
in every respect. The staffs and crews are numerically
weak in proportion." Some strictures are then passed
on Admiral Napier, and remarks made on his career
which it would be useless to repeat, but from which it
would appear that no great opinion exists in either
squadron of the capacity of the gallant admiral.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

TATTERSALL'S.
THURSDAY.

A blank day, in consequence of th• meeting at
Epsom.

EPSOM AUTUMN MEETING.
THURSDAY.

The BEDDINGTON STAKES of 100 sovs, added to a handi-
cap sweepstakes of 10 /viva each, h ft, if declared, &c.,
for two-yr-olds ; the second to receive back his stake.
Certain winners extra. One mile. 29 subs, 16 of
whom declared and pay 5 sovs each.
Mr. J. Clark's Handy, 7:st 131 b (J. Mann) 1
Lord Strathmore's filly by Cotherstone—Lucy Banks,
7st4lb ................................................ (Wells) 2
Captain Lane's Flageolet, 7st 21b (Carroll) 3
The following also ran : Schamyl, Thor, Pole Star,
Escape, Joshua, Brinklow, Gendoline, Matilda.
Betting-7 to 4 agst Pole Star, 4to 1 agst Flageolet,
6to 1 agst Matilda. Won by a neck ; three lengths
between second and third ; Matilda was fourth, Pole
Star and Thor next.

FI➢'TY Sovs, for all ages, for two-yr-olds and upwards ;
mares and geldings allowed 31b. Half a mile.
Mr. Fould's Remus, 2 yrs, 6st 81b (T. Sherwood) 1
Mr. Elwes's Michaelmas Maid, 4 yrs, Bst 41b (Quinton) 2
Captain Lane's Ephesus, 6 yrs, Bst 71b (Bartholomew) 3
The following also ran .—Duke of Hamilton, Jennala,
The Novice, Eltham, and Westminster.
Betting-5 to 2on Ephesus, sto 1 agst Remus, 10 to
1 agst Elthsrn. Won by a length and a half. Two
lengths between the second and third.

The EPSOM AUTUMN HANDICAP of 100 sovs, added to a
handicap sweepstakes of 10 sovs each, h ft, if declared
by nine o'clock the night before running, but only 2
if declared by October 24. Certain winners extra.
The second to receive back his stake. New Derby
Course. 54 subs, 23 of whom declared, and pay 2

sovir ft.
Mr. Stanley's Mishap, 3 yrs, sst 61b (Fordham) 1
Mr. Howard's Little Harry, 5 yrs, Bst 51b .. (Wells) 2
Baron M.ollendorf's Schera, 3 yrs, Bst (Birbeck) 3
Baron Rothschild's Hungerford, 6 yrs, Bst 21b
(Charlton) 4
The following also ran :—Defiance, Little David,
Ethel wolf, Candlewick, Benvenuto, Miss Tennyson.
Betting-2 to 1 agst Scherz, 4to 1 agst Defiance, 6
to 1 t s
Little Harry. Tennyson, 100 to 15 agst Mishap, 8 to 1
g srry. Mishap made all the running
se, and
awon cleverly by a neck, four lengths between thesecond
and third, a head between the third and fourth. Ethel-
wolf, Candlewick, and Defiance were next, about six
lengths behind Lfungerford. Miss Tennyson, Little
David, and Betivenuto were beaten off.

The SELLING STAKES of 5 sovs each, with 50 added.
Two-yr-olds and upwards. Optional selling weights,
&c. New T.Y.C. Three-quarters of a mile. 10 subs.
Mr. J. M. Stanley's Rosaline, 3 yrs (301), 7st
(Charlton) 1
Count Batthyany's Dame Partlett, 2 yrs (301), sst 111 b
(Quinton) 2
Captain Skipworth's Fanny Fern, 2 yrs (301), sst lilb
(Fordham) 3
The following also ran :—Guy Mannering, Volunteer,
Questionable, Dalston, Lady Alicia, Pharoid.
Betting--5 to 4 agst Rosaline, sto 1 each agst Guy
Mannering and Lady Alicia, 6to 1 agst Dalston, 7 to
1 each agst Fanny Fern and Dame Partlett. Won by
half a length ; a length between the second and third.
The winner was bought in for 125 guineas.
The BENTINCK PLATE of 100 sovs (handicap) for all
ages. Winners extra. One mile.
Count Batthyany's Speed the Plough, 4 yrs, 7st
(T. Sherwood) 1
Mr. Gulliver's Noisette, 4 yrs, Est 131 b (T. Clifik) 2
Mr. W. Smith's Now or Never, aged, Est 41b(Fordham) 3
Mr. D. Dawson's Roebuck, 3 yrs, 6st 131 b ....(W0115) 4
Betting-6 to 4on Speed the Plough, sto 2 agst
Noisette. Won by two lengths, a neck between the
second and third, three lengths between the third and
fourth.
The PADDOCK STAKES of 5 sovs each, with 50 added,
for three-yr-olds and upwards. Optional selling
weights, &c.
One mile. 8 subs.
Mr. T. Barnard's Merry Peal, 6 yrs (601.), Bst

(Arthur) 1
Mr. R. E. Cooper's Lascelles, 4 yrg (1501), Bst 12Ib

house
Capt. Lane's Guy Mannering, 6 (G. yrs (50/ ), White
Bst ) 2

(. Mann
The following also ran :—Gossip and New Brighto) 3n.
Betting-6 to 4 agst New Brighton, 3to 1 each agst
Lascelles and Guy Mannering. Won by three-quarters
of a length, a head between the second and third, a
length and a half between the third and fourth. The
wiener was sold by auction for 100 guineas.
It will be sufficient to add that the weather was fine,
the sport good, attendance numerous, and speculation
tolerably good.