The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-16 00:00:00

TURKEY AND RUSSIA.

As the day approaches on which the reply of the
Porte to the collective note is expected, apprehen-
sions begin to be felt that the Turkish Cabinet may
prove less docile than was at first expected. As to
the all-important question of the evacuation of the
principalities, those who profess to know something
of the matter assert that it has been implied" to
Russia that it is expected she will not raise any
objections. Even if the Russians should promise
to quit Moldavia and Wallachia at once—which is
hardly to be-eipected—so many difficulties would
infallibly present themselves that the greater part
of the intruders would be necessitated to pass the
winter cm the right bank of the Pruth.
A proclamation has been lately issued, of which
the following is a translation from the Turkish
original.
The present proclamation showeth the state of
affairs at Constantinople, and it is his Majesty's
wish that it should be promulgated in the provinces
of the Empire :

"The Sublime Porte and Russia having disagreed on
certain points, the latter has suspended her relations,
and recalled her embassy from Constantinople, and
moreover, has made great military preparations
by sea and land ; consequently, the Sublime Porte
also has prepared herself for war, as has been
already made known. The reason assigned by
Russia for her dissatisfaction is the refusal of the Porte
to accord by treaty certain religious privileges to the
Greek Church. But these privileges were granted by his
Majesty Sultan Mehemed the Conqueror, and observed
during the reigns of the late Sultans, and were also con-
firmed by his present Majesty the Sultan, of all benevo-
lence, as well as by his predecessors. When his present
Majesty and his Government of their own free will granted
and confirmed these ancient immunities, who ever thought
that they would be annulled ? When a Government
wishes to undertake the protectorate of several millions
of a neighbouring empire, it menaces its independence
and interferes with its domestic affairs. The impropriety
of such an act has been declared, but Russia would not
forego her claim, and has even occupied Wallachia and
Moldavia, crossing the Pruth with her troops, thus
greatly annoying the Sublime Porte. Such a violation
of treaties has called forth on the part of the Su-
blime Porte a protest, which has been communi-
cated to the different European Powers, in which it is
contr
declared that such an act, y to treaty, will not
be accepted by the Sublime Porte. AVhen a question
importanceof such grave arises, affecting the indepen-
dence of the Empire, it ought to be arranged by nego-
tiations and friendly mediation. It is not Russia's in-
tention to make war on the Sublime Porte, but she has
occupied the Provinces as a guarantee until her demands
are complied with. The Porte has received from the
different European Powers friendly advice, especially
from the maritime nations of England and France, upon
whose friendship and good faith the Porte can rely, and
it is certain that she will not accept anything that will
affect her integrity and independence. Until it is seen
what turn affairs will take, it has been deemed advisable
to assume the defensive on the banks of the Danube and
the frontiers of Anadolia.
" Such is the dispute and the present state of affairs
as regards Russia, On the part of the Government

troops and the munitions of war have been prepared.
The Sublime Porte has tranquillised all her subjects, and
has enjoined them to remain quiet in their several occu-
pations of agriculture and commerce, and she requires
of her subjects to obey all her commands. As has been
already mentioned, the claims of Russia relate to the
religious privileges of the Greeks. The Greek sect and
their chiefs have personally nothing to do with this
affair, but have, on the contrary, expressed their grati-
tude and thanks to their Government, and are sorry
that such a question has ever been mooted ; they must
not, therefore, be looked upon as enemies. Armenians,_
Catholics, Protestants, and Jews are also the true and
faithful subjects of our Lord and Padishah ; the Greeks
are so also, and they must therefore live in peace with
each other.
" In short, Moslems and all other subjects of the
Porte must dwell together in harmony, and not speak
of things which do not concern them, nor do that which
is not lawful, but each must look to his own affairs.
" This present arrangement, proclamation, and order
(tembi) has been prepared in the presence of the Sheik-
il-Islam and all the learned of the Empire, of the Seras-
kier, and all the officers of the army and viziers who
were at the Council of the Grand Vizier. Finally this
proclamation has been sanctioned by his Majesty the
Sultan, and all those who are not pleased with the ar-
rangement, and shall act contrary to it, shall be con-
sidered as insubordinate, and severely punished."
Here follow the signatures of all the principal office
of the Empire, civil, military, and religious.
The most important domestic event in Constan-
tinople is the death of Hafiz Pasha, late Minister,
of Finance. He was a man of about 70 years °I
age, and was more than once called to the Ministry,
when the financial affairs of the Empire were at
their worst. He never, we believe, was the
author of any large scheme of finance, but by en-
forcing economy in several branches of the public
service he generally contrived to leave the Ex-
chequer in a better state than he found it. Like
most Turkish officials he contrived to pay himself,
and has left behind him a large amount of wealth.
A large encampment has been prepared opposite
Therapia, on the Asiatic coast, for the daily ex-
pected Egyptian troops. The tents will contain about
15,000 men. Nothing new has arrived from the
Danubian provinces ; and as much of the gossip con-
cerning the movements of the Russians there has
ceased of late, we presume that the Post-office has
already began to feel the effects of Russian surveil--
mice. Much has of late been said concerning a
victory supposed to have been gained over the Rus-
sian troops by Schamyl. The battle is said to have
taken place on the 27th and 28th of the Raniazant,
when the Circassians took by assault the fortress (31
Toprak Kale, containing 220 pieces of artillery'
This news we have received by way of Trebizoncly
and, though generally believed here, cannot be ini"
plicitly relied on.
The Wanderer contains highly important news,
of the Ist from Constantinople. The Pasha 0'
Bosnia has informed the Porte that General Mayer-
hoffer, Inspector of the Austrian Consulates, coin'
municated to him the information that the Aus-
trians were ready to cross the frontier if the peace
and order of the provinces of Bosnia and the Her-
zegovine should be disturbed either by a native or
foreign enemy. The Pasha of Belgrade tells nearly
the same story, the only difference being that the
Austrian troops will enter Service if the Russians
cross the Danube. On Saturday evening, July 30,
the Dragoman of the Austrian Embassy at Cou-
stantinople was asked for an explanation. It
appears that he denied the correctness of the news,
but at the same time spoke of the little reliance
which could be placed on the Servians. All this
has led to most exaggerated reports, and it is even
asserted that Austria is prepared to commence
hostilities at the same time as Russia. Extra
messengers have been dispatched to Bosnia and
the Herzegovine, with fresh instructions for the
Turkish authorities.

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