The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-09 00:00:00

MOVEMENTS ON THE DANUBE

In the Vienna Lloyd of the 7th we read :
The advises received here this day from the theatre o,
• war on the Danube mention what was already known,
that Omer Pacha is keeping himself in readiness to
relieve Silistria. We believe, however, that an offensive
advance of the Ottoman Marshal is not to be expected
for some few days to come. They will let matters come
to extremes in Silistria, and the losses of the Russians be
repeated again and again before this fortress, before they
will carry out the resolution of coming to its aid ; now
the intelligence from there, coming from more than one
source, agrees in stating that it can hold out for some
' weeks yet. Omer Pacha will remain so long, as
ready to act, in his expectant attitude, and will
not venture on striking a greater blow at the
Russians unless things assume a different bearing in
the interim, until he knows that a suitable number of
auxiliary troops is in his proximity to form a body of
reserve ready for action, which as yet is not the case,
save in a very incommensurate degree. It must be an
object with the allies to gain time ; every day of the
time now passing by, which causes the action of the
Russians to be resultless' in consequence of Silistria's
holding out, and of Omer Pacha's advantageous position,
is for them so much clear gain. The allies strengthen
themselves in a secure harbour, and in a far greater
degree than their opponents can, whose ranks are
thinned by the sword, and still more wasted by disease.
Nor can we avoid seeing that the Western Powers are
making the most serious exertions to place promptly on
Turkish soil an imposing force wherewith to engage the
enemy. The situation of the Russians has become a
difficult one, which their leaders feel right well, for they
are intent on concentrating their forces, and securing
for themselves a line of retreat."
A letter from Belgrade, 31st ult., says :--
"A fresh corps d'armde f's about to enter Moldavia ;
the effective strength of the Russian forces on the
Danube will be thus carried up to 250,000 men. It is
thought that the Russian government will at length
accede to a demand made several years ago by the com-
merce of Ismail to put the Kills, mouth of the river at
the disposal of the commerce of the Danube, and the
Russian Consul at Galatz recommends all the captains of
vessels who apply to • him for certificates to take that
mouth instead of the Sulina. The Danube Steam Naviga-
tion Company has sold off ali its stores and even its coal,
which is a proof that the navigation of the Lower Danube
is considered likely to be interrupted for a long time.
An embargo has been laid on an English vessel, the
Hunter, Captain Raind, now at Galatz, and the captain
and crew have been removed to Ibrail. It is said that '
several Turkish subjects placed under English protec-
tion, who were at Ibrail and other places where they
had been long established, have been expelled."
The Press of Vienna has the following from
Galatz :—" In consequence of the permission
given to export corn by the Danube, 12 Austrian
vessels have left this port since May 1 for Trieste
and Venice. At present there remains here not
more than a single vessel taking in its cargo. The
Austrian consul at Jerusalem has obtained per-
mission for 13 Russian nuns and a sick priest to
remain in that place. The Russian Archimandrite
and eight other Russians have embarked at Jaffa
for Europe."

FURTHER DISARMING IN RUSSIAN
POLAND.
WARSAW, June I.—By order of General Rudiger,
farmers, gamekeepers, and others, who, by special
permission, have been allowed to possess firearms,
are to deliver them forthwith to the local authori-
ties. Possession of firearms will henceforth be
permitted solely to the military and civil officers
of the empire.

INTRIGUES AT CONSTANTINOPLE.
If matters are proceeding favourably, says the
Paris correspondent of the Times, on the banks
of the Danube, and success attends the Ottoman
arms in Little Wallachia, if one may judge by the
private correspondence which reaches us occasionally,
the same favourable report cannot be made of what
passes at Constantinople. Indeed, it is difficult to
believe the fact, were it not attested by several
witnesses, independent of each other and enjoying
opportunities of being well-informed, that the gal-
lantry of the troops, and the ability and devotedness
of the Chief, are to an alarming degree neutralised
by intrigues in the Turkish Councils. The Moniteur
confirms the fact of the dismiaial of the Grand
Vizier ; and adds, no doubt to weaken the unfa-
vourable effect that would naturally be produced
by changes in the Ministry at such a moment, that
the movement has no political character. It is
stated, that the contrary is the case ; and, more-
over, on authority entitled to respect, that none
feel more annoyed than the French Government,
not only by these changes, but by other incidents,
which prove that some of those in whose hands the
safety of the country is placed are far from doing
their duty, and that their dereliction is traceable
to causes not of the most honourable nature. I
select from a private letter received front a friend
at Constantinople a few passages, which seem to
bear out that view of the case, and which are
worthy of attention, as the party who communi-
cates them is in a position to be acquainted with
much of what is passing. The letter bears date
the 25th, and contains passages of this kind :
"The loan is not effected, although we are in the
greatest distress. But you are completely in error if
you believe that we have a Government here. We
have only an emblem of Government. For one who
feels sympathy for the cause in which Turkey is engaged
it is lamentable to be obliged to witness what is passing
before our eyes ; to see the utter indifference for the
public good ; to behold the grasping cupidity of men in
office, and the implacable though underhand war which
the great functionaries carry on against each other.
What has been done to Namik Pasha is taking place
with Omer Pasha. That able General and honest man is
left without succour, and without a line in reply to
his reiterated and most pressing demands. There
has not been a single Cabinet Council for the last 20
days, because Redschid Pasha has had the misfortune to
lose two of his little grandchildren ! And without him
nothing can be discussed in Council, nothing done. It
is he who is the Sultan de facto, and he who is the
Sultan nominally is reduced to devour his own heart in
the importance to which they have reduced him. The
cry of ' the country is in danger' has no meaning here.
" Each affair a little above the most ordinary busi-
ness, and, after all the complications and delays of office-
people, ends in an Trade, and this Imperial Ira&
(supreme sanction) has no fixed term ; you may wait
eight days for it or three months. If the question be,
for instance, to send money or reinforcements to the
army—a fortress or a town has time to be captured
before, the Imperial Irade makes its appearance ; and
all because by means of the basest intrigues matters are
kept concealed from the Sultan.
"Nothing can be more surprising than the attitude of
the people. Is it apathy, indifference, or resignation ?
I cannot understand it, but the fact is that they scarcely
seem to be aware that the Russians are besieging Silis-
tria. The French Generals complain often and strongly
of the little co-operation they receive.
"But what is most remarkable is that all the better
class of Turks, the well informed, or at least those who
appear so, with whom I have conversed, are unanimous
in believing that the objeot of the intrigues is to destroy
the Government, and no one seems to have sufficient
energy to avert the misfortunes which will fall on the
country sooner or later.
"If I told you all that passes I could fill a volume.
A Hercules is wanted to clear out this Augean stable of
corruption, and where shall we find a Hercules ? Every
capable man, every honest man is kept at a distance.
All who are suspected of pointing out the true state of
affairs to the allied Generals, or of communicating with
them, who could exercise a salutary influence, are re-

moved from the scene. Such, too, is the cause of the
change contemplated in the Paris embassy."
A second letter from another party speaks with
some harshness of Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, and
of the danger to the French and English alliance.
But, setting this complaint against the English
Ambassador on one side, it is certain that commu-

nications proceeding from other sources are full of
complaints at the state of affairs generally in Con-
stantinople, and at the culpable delay and remiss-
ness in the treatment of the army, on which depends
the safety of the Empire. It is more than once as-
serted that among some of the Turkish officials
there are persons whose conduct leads one to sup.
pose that they are in the interests, if not in the
pay, of Russia; that Silistria will be sacrificed, not-
withstanding the presence of the allied troops; and
that „everything will be done to allow it to fall
into the hands of the Russians before the Anglo-
French troops can come to its succour. At this
distance it is difficult to ascertain the value of these

and other charges, more serious if possible, but it
is curious that so many witnesses concur in making
the same accusation. It is certain that Omer Pasha
has more than once complained of the manner in
which his army has been left without resources,
and the utter indifference with which those com-
plaints have been received.ljt is said that those