The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-01 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH,

community could scarcely have been justified in
anticipating a bold and energetic movement on
the part of the ABERDEEN Coalition, after the last
twelve months' deplorable and disheartening ex-
perience. But the present cannot be called ordi-
nary, rather may they be designated, without any
exaggeration whatever, extraordinary circum-
stances. Wherefore even those most disposed to
count upon the tardy resolve of the Cabinet were,
in a measure, compelled to believe in it, in spite of
themselves, in spite of their convictions, in spite
of their recollections. The language used by
Ministers ever since the opening of the Par-
liamentary session in the month of February was
from the first tantamount to a declaration of war
against Russia. The Speech from the Throne
inaugurating that session was equivalent to the
avowal of that formal declaration of war by the
lips of our gracious SOVEREIGN. Nay—neither
the British nor the French Government had con-
fined themselves to mere verbal indications of this
antagonism to the Russian AUTOCRAT—they had
severally caused both the military and maritime
armaments of France and England to be strength-
ened by very considerable augmentations. Im-
mediately on the withdrawal of M. DE BRUNOW
from the Court of St. James's and of M.
DE KISSELEFF from the Court of the Tuil-
eries, instructions had been forwarded to
St. Petersburgh simultaneously recalling Sir
HAMILTON SEYMOUR and General DE CASTEL-
BAJAC. Large bodies of troops were marched
through the streets by night and by day, with
banners flying, and to the sound of drum and
trumpet ; they were carried forward with all de-
spatch by railway ; they were embarked in hot
haste at our seaports, and conveyed on thence
with all convenient speed, via Malta, towards the
seat of war beyond Constantinople. Additional
battalions are being hurried after them even now,
with the same ostentatious display of ardour and
determination. Yet at this seemingly ultimate
juncture—when diplomatic relations have ceased,
when pacific negotiations are notoriously at an
end, when war is all but declared—Ministers
have actually cont rived another means of
bringing about further delays, and effecting an-
, other supplementary procrastination. They have
acted thus, moreover, under the flimsiest pre-
tence ; namely, by transmitting a demand to the
Russian AUTOCRAT that, before the 30th of April,
ho shall withdraw his forces from the Principa-
lities. Why, he has been asked this already over
and over again ; and over and over again he has
refused. In repeating the same iterated and re-
: iterated request the Allies of Turkey have, con-
sequently, acted precisely in the manner familiar
to every nervous schoolboy in a game of fisticuffs--
tempting his antagonist to "Do that again!" Why,
i let us repeat it once more, the Emperor NICHOLAS
has again and again, and yet again, refused—not
doubtfully, but boldly, and openly, and distinctly
refused to withdraw his army from the Principa-
. lities. It is a mere ruse consequently to gain yet
another delay—this transmission of the demand
simultaneously from London, Paris, Berlin, and
Vienna, to St. Petersburgh. It is argued that
the Four Powers have acted thus simply in order
to throw the onus of the war, the blame of the
final rupture, upon the Russian Government ?
Why—that has already been done by the whole
course of the CZAR'S proceedings, and especially
and pointedly by the last of the many wise, and
sagacious, and magnanimous acts of the Emperor
NAPOLEON. The responsibility of the collision
that must ensue, manifestly and glaringly devolves
upon the Russian AUTOCRAT ever since the trans-
mission to St. Petersburg of that memorable
letter addressed by the Emperor of the FRENCH
to the CZAR of all the Russias—that letter con-
sisting of demands which the world knows
have been rejected formally and positively. Be-
sides, we have said that Russia herself has
assumed from the outset that unwarrantable
responsibility, the guilt of having originated
the war first of all between herself and Turkey
alone—and, now, between herself alone, and
Turkey supported by the Four Great Powers of
Christendom—the war at first about a Protec-
torate over some millions of Greek Chris-
tians, but now about the relative interests,
situation, or predominance of Barbarism or
of Civilisation. Has she not ? Let the one
Iplain fact of the geographical locality of the
.conflict answer ! Where was that conflict
been hitherto ? Has it been in the Russian ter-
ritories—whether by sea or by land has it been
in the Russian territories ? Why, we all know
that the bloodshed that has taken place by sea
has been in the Turkish seaport of Sinope, where,
with unparalleled ferocity, the subjects of the
SULTAN were inhumanly butchered ! We all
know that by land the struggle in Asia has been
along the Turkish frontiers in the Caucasus, while
in Europe it has been restricted within the limits
of Moldavia and Wallachia, the two great Princi-
palities which are the appenage not of the Mus-
covite but of the Ottoman Sovereignty. Conse-
quently, whatever occurs, the infamy of the war
belongs not to the Turkish, not to the British,
not to the French, not to the Prussian, not
to _the Austrian, but wholly and exclusively to
the Russian Government—and therefore -(the
Russian Government being an irresponsible des-
potism) by necessity to one man, the head of
that formidable, but fated autocracy.

The adhesion of the great German Powers of
Austria and Prussia to the cordial alliance sub-
sisting between France and England is trumpeted
forth as a cause for exceeding joy. The people of
Great Britain are heartily congratulated, and
Ministers felicitate themselves on the auspicious
result. We are told that it is a triumph of diplo-
macy—a sure proof of the benefits arising from
the cautious and peaceful course originally adopted
and so long persisted in by the Government. As
to the sincerity of our supposed collaborateurs, or
the exceeding value of their co-operation, no doubt
appears to be entertained. It is said that—

" The promises are fair, the parties sure,
And our induction full of prosperous hope."

We confess, however, that we cannot altogether
participate in these feelings. We cannot convince
ourselves of the sincerity of the Austrian, and
we fear that his assistance will be rather
for the purpose of preventing the well-merited
chastisement of Russia, and of pat ohing up a hasty
peace on the first opportunity, than of securing
the future independence of the Ot;toman Empire,
or of obtaining adequate guarantees for the per-
manent tranquillity of Europe. He will be at
hand to prevent his " good friena. and brother"
from being too stringently dealt with. He will
not permit any humiliation to the pride, or abate-
ment to the power of the Czin. He will not
consent to the demand for petunia~ ry or territorial
compensation for the expenses ol the war, the
abplition of claims, however unjustifiable, or the
restitution to the rightful owners of unfair acqui-
sitions. So far as practicable, he, will aim at the
restoration of the status in quo for the renewal
of the abrogated treaties, and the maintenance
of the Euxime as a Russian lake. In a few
Words, his pov ier will be exerted merely to bleak
the fall of NifonoLAs, and to extricate him with
the least possible damage from the serious diffi-
culty in which he has been involved through his
own overweenitng pride and boundless rapacity.
Under
such circumstances we dread the seem-
ing co-opera ti on far more than even the avowed
hostility of Austria. It would be far better if she
maintained a, wt. and honest neutrality, so tabs,

there could be no pretext for interfering in the
negotiations that may take place. As we recently
stated, " we cannot conceive a greater calamity,
not only to England, but to the civilised world,
than the tardy submission of the AUTOCRAT,"
or the restoration of such a peace as
Austria is desirous of bringing about. There
must be no more Russian protectorates, to
afford excuses for vexatious interference or
unprovoked aggressions, to enable the public dis-
turber to keep those who hate the misfortune
to be placed in so perilous a vicinity in perpetual
hot water. The Black Sea, the free navigation
whereof has been so long restricted by the prohi-
bition of the armed vessels of all nations from ap-
pearing therein, must remain open. The treaty
to which we so foolishly became parties in 1841,
and which recognised that exclusion, as well as
the previous treaty in 1829, by which, under
false pretences of establishing quarantine, the
Czee, obtained possession of the mouths of the
Danube, have proved too injurious to the com-
merce of the world and the interests of civilisation
to permit the notion of their re-enactment being
for a moment entertained. We have seen the
use which Russia has made of the privileges with
which she was so unwisely and recklessly entrusted.
We have seen the mud and sand permitted to accu-
mulate at the entrance to that noble stream ; and the
gradual shallowing of the water—notwithstanding
express stipulations to the contrary. We have
seen hundreds of laden vessels lying in or out-
side of the river, watching fruitlessly for months
to obtain an opportunity for egress or regress—
while Russia, like the churlish " dog in the man-
ger," refuses to allow any other to discharge the
duty which she herself, we fear, wilfully and de-
liberately, completely neglects. The almost mira-
culous natural resources of the various provinces,
the produce of which would otherwise be ex-
ported by means of that "deep, silent highway,"
are thus completely. lacked up, and their trade
and commerce paralysed.
It needs no argument to prove the seri-
ous injury inflicted on Great Britain by
this untoward state of affairs. Free Trade,
for which we have struggled so long and
energetically, can never be fully or fairly de-
veloped so long as these formidable obstructions
are suffered to remain to the free Communication
with districts which might be made not only the
granaries but the provision stores of the world,
where not only bread-stuffs but every description
of meat and poultry may be obtained at almost
nominal prices—where we might interchange the
produce of our looms, and the various staple manu-
factures of England, for sound and nutritious food,
sufficient to supply abundantly the wants of our

people.
Many clear-headed men have expatiated on the
serious evils arising from these causes. An intel-
ligent and unimpeachable witness—Mr. O'BRIEN-
has been added to the number, who gives us the
results of his own personal observations so lately
as the past winter. In his very interesting and
able work,* Mr. O'BRIEN tells us that " there is
no country more deeply interested in rendering
the Danube navigable at its mouth than Eng-
land, and it is. England alone that has shown
a sineere and constant desire to effect that object.
In 1851, the imports from Ibraila by sea amount-
ed to 778,1571., and its imports up the Danube to
334,0781. The exports-from Galatz by sea in the same
year amounted to 496,3681., and the imports up
the Danube to 374,2331., making in all a sum for
imports and exports of 1,982,8361. British sub-
jects and British ships have the principal share in
this trade ; it is, therefore, the duty of her Ma-
jesty's Government to exert its influence to re-
move, as far as possible, all obstructions to the
free navigation of the entrance of the Danube."
What need is there of any addition to this clear
and convincing testimony ? Further proof would be
supererogatory. The Principalities, which might,
from their abundance, provide for millions of
Englishmen, are kept down by the incubus
brooding over their fertile plains. The people,
who might be so prosperous and happy, are
oppressed and trampled on. But still we are to
allow these restrictions to exist, and the Black Sea
to be closed against English vessels of war—
simply to propitiate a doubtful Power, which
we could do better without. Forbid it honour,
forbid it prudence. Whatever Austria may say,
we cannot, under any circumstances, again sanc-
tion such stipulations. Having been forced into
war we must bring it to such a conclusion that
" Either our history shall, with full mouth,
Speak freely of our acts ; or else our grave,
Like Turkish mute, shall have a tongueless mouth,
Not worshipped with a waxen epitaph."

* Journal of a Residence in the Danubian Principali-
ties in the Autumn and Winter of 1853. By Patrick
O'Brien. Bentley:

REAR-ADMIRAL CO.RRY; S SQUADRON.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)

PORTSMOUTH,
WEDNESDAY MORNING.

The steam-frigate Magicienne returned to Spit-
head this morning, in company with the Odin, 16,
Capt. Scott, one of Rear-Admiral Corry's squadron,
which is not far behind them, and will be at anchor
in the course of the afternoon.

The Simoom, troop-ship, with the Ist battalion
of Scots Fusilier Guards, left harbour to-day about
half-past 11, for Malta.
Weather very fine, and calm.

MONEY MARKET

AND
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at from 3,000 to 4,000 bales, all to the
trade. The market closed heavily without change in
prices. The sales comprised 200 Egyptian at ad.
to VA, 400 Surat at 3d. to 4d, 20 Sea Island at
ls. 2d. to 25., and the remainder nearly all Ame-
rican. Railway Shares were dull but steady.

As an instance of the very friendly feeling ex-
isting on the part of the experienced and en-
lightened commanders of American merchant ships,
and of the identity of our interests, we give the
following particulars of a meeting at New York :

" A meeting of shipmasters who have arrived recently
from the Chinchas, was held on Saturday, at the Astor
House—Captain S. A. Fabius in the chair. After the
meeting was called to order, P. W. Penhallow, Esq.,
was appointed a committee of one, with instructions to
take the necessary measures to present the grievances of
which they complain to the government at Washington.
A document for the signature of merchants and others
was read and approved, and the following resolution
adopted :
" Resolved,—That, whereas we have reason to sup-
pose that the letter expressing our gratitude to Admiral
Moresby, which was sent through our Minister, J. R.
Clay, was not duly forwarded, the following copy of the
abovementioned letter be published in the New York
papers."
The following is a copy of the letter referred to
in the resolution
' " Chincha Isles, Sep. 9, 1853.
"To her Britannic Majesty's Charge d'Affaires at Lima.
" Sir,—The American shipmasters here, feeling them-
selves under infinite obligations to Admiral Moresby
for his kind attention to their representations, and his
promptness in demanding for them that proper respect
be paid to their flag by the authorities at these islands.
beg leave, through you, to tender him their heartfelt
thanks ; and also add the. assurance that we shall ever
retain, with sentiments of the liveliest gratitude towards
him, the conviction-that by -the side of our own banner
waves the British flag—a sure pledge of protection for

"•With much esteem, .vie are, sir, very respectfully,
your obedient servants."

At the meeting of the Guatemala Bondholders,
held this morning, it was announced that the
Spanish American Committee had agreed to take
up the affairs of the parties interested in the loan,
upon receiving a commission of 1 per cent. on any
amount received, and 5 per cent. on the stock that
may be given for arrears of interest.
The rates for Bills of Exchange were rather
lower yesterday, Paris being 25 27i to 30, Amster-
dam, 11 151 to 16i ; Hamburgh, 13 4 to 41 ;
Frankfort, 1181 and Trieste, 13 10 to 20.
Gold is still in demand for exportation, and a
considerable amount in coin has been taken from
the Bank of England.

There has been an inactive market for Public
Securities, and the quotations are again rather
heavy, in the absence of any important news.
Consols have been 91,1 to for transfer, and 91k to
for account. Until the budget is brought; for-
ward, there will necessarily be much uncertainty
among the speculators how to act. The New 3i
per Cents. have been 92i to 93, and the 3 per
Cents. 91i I. Exchequer Bills are still 17s. to 20s.
premium. South Sea Old Annuities have been at
101 k.
The Foreign Securities have been very dull.
Mexican Bonds have realised 24k 1. Peruvian 411-
per Cents. have been quoted 64k without the divi-
dend. The Grenada Deferred Bonds are at 6k.
Sardinian Stock-is worth 82. Spanish Deferred
Bonds are a little firmer at .181. k.
BRITISH MlNES.—There is very little activity,
and prices continue about the former range.
Railway Shares have, generally supported about
the previous quotations, but the business doing
does not show such a -buoyant feeling as existed
two or three days ago. French shares have been
duller.

The Gold Mine Shares are nominally firm. The
Australian Banks have been less dealt in, and the
Land Companies are quiet, at the previous rates.
The current prices for the Jamaica mines, not
officially quoted, are as follow :—Metcalfe, par to
prem. ; Sue River, dis. to par ; Port Royal,
to prem.

BKITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List. )
Business dune.
per Cent. Reduced Annuities .. 911
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities 9ll # 1 #
New 3f per Cent. Annuities 93 2i 3 21
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1800
Dittc 30 Years, Expire 10th Oct., 1859 5
South Sea Old Annuities lOll
Consols for Account 16th] March 9lf 1 ft
Exchequer Bills, ld.
£l000
.
£5OO
.. - 17 20 p
Small
Ditto Advertised l6 p
•
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Grenada Bonds, Deferred
Kest= 3 per Cent.
Peruvian Bonds, 4. per Cent. 641 x d
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent
Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent lB3 f
Dividends on the above payable in London.

HALF-PAST TWO.
Consols 9l
Ditto March Account 9li

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

A telegraphic despatch from Constantinople on
the 15th inst., received via Marseilles, says :—" A
convoy with 10,000 men for the Turkish army is
ready to leave for Batoum. Hostilities are every-
where stopped by the cold. The Russians are
seeking to conclude a treaty of affiance with the
Afghans against England ; Khiva resists."
A later despatch dated the 18th, mentions that
the whole fleet, except two ships sent to the
Piraeus, were then in the Bosphorus.

From Trebizond, Feb. 13, we learn that fearful
storms had prevailed in the Black Sea.
A letter from the Turkish capital of the 13th,
states that General Sir John Burgoyne and Col.
Ardapt left on the 10th, with M. Jourjon, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel of engineers, attached to the French
Embassy, to visit the forts of the Dardanelles.
It appears that it is intended to fortify the Dar-
danelles, so as to preserve them from an attack by
land, in case the Russians should succeed in pass-
ing the Balkans. The Minister of War had already
proposed to several of the principal merchants of
Constantinople to contract for the supply of the
necessary cannon, gunpowder, and balls ; but as he
required a year's_ credit, the affair had not been
concluded. •

Immediately after the Porte received on the 10th
the negative reply of the Emperor of Russia to the
propositions of the Conference of Vienna, Reschid
Pacha had interviews with the Ambassadors of
France and England, and the day after an extra-
ordinary council was held. In this council it was
resolved that the Porte should adopt the opinion of
the Conference of Vienna on the rejection of the
propositions, and that it would not on any account
accept the new propositions made by Russia.
Everything was consequently more than ever
warlike.

Letters from St. Petersburg state that so angry
is the Czar Nicholas at the refusal of Austria to
join him in his schemes of spoliation, that ho has
issued orders forbidding all officers who have had
Prussian or Austrian orders conferred upon them
to wear them. The Czar has also changed the
names of the regiments in his service which have
hitherto borne the names of the King of Pritssia
or Emperor of Austria.

Other letters from St. Petersburg mention that
Marshal Paskiewitsch has left St. Petersburg for
the purpose of assuming the chief command of the
army of the Danube.
According to the latest accounts from the Danu-
bian provinces, General Aurep had been sent to
St. Petersburg to account for his conduct at
Cetate, where he 'suffered himself to be surprised
by the Turks. 50,000 Russians were assembled
in front of Kalifat, with a large park of heavy
artillery.

A telegraphic communication from Vienna says
an Austrian corps of 25,000 men is posted on the
south-eastern frontier of Transylvania—that is, on
the right flank of the Russians in Moldavia, and in
rear of those in Wallachia.

According to a letter from Vienna, in the Moni-
teur, there is nothing talked of in Wallachia but
the approaching passage of the Russians into
Bulgaria. All the pontoon materiel has just
been carried to Giurgevo ; and a very con-
siderable sum has been placed at the command
of the General-in-Chief to complete it. The
Russian soldiers work night and day, prepar-
ing skins intended to support filo bridges which

are to be thrown over the Danube. An order
for 4,000 hatchets and the same number of rakes
and scythes has just been given by the military

authorities. These instruments would not be ne-
cessary unless the Russians were to cross the
Danube. They are concentrating a large force at
Ibrail ; the garrison already amounts to 10,000
men, exclusive of the 4,000 quartered in the
environs, and further reinforcements are arriv-
ing every day. The Russians are actively en-
gaged in fortifying the town of Fokchani on
the Moldo-Wallachian frontier. It is there that
in case of defeat they will have their park of
artillery, their large depots of supplies, and their
hospitals. The troops no longer occupy any place
but Kalafat. All, the Russian forces in Lesser

Wallachia are assembled at a very short distance
from the entrenchments. On the morning of the
12th the Russians made another attempt to destroy
the Turkish boats in the port of Rustchuk, but
were not more successful than on the former occa-
sion. On the Bth a Russian steamer and three
gun-boats, which had come from Reni to take up a
position before Matchin, were stopped by the fire
of a Turkish battery. A Russian battery of 12

guns on the opposite side of the river opened a fire
on the Turks, but although the latter had only four
guns to oppose to the
.fire of the Russian battery
and to that of the vessels, the latter were obliged
to haul off and seek shelter in a creek of the river
out of reach of the fire.

A letter from Varna, of February 9, says
" We have nothing in the shape of political news.
The difficulty of communication is such that nothing
is known here of what is going on at Shumla,
although only twenty leagues off, except by the
accidental arrival of travellers. Two French steam-
ers, the Gomer and Sane, and two English ones, the
Samson and the Firebrand, passed a day here during
a late cruise in the Black Sea. Rear-Admiral Le Bar-
bier de Tinan and his staff were received at Varna
with extraordinary enthusiasm. The Pacha sent his
carriages to meet them at the landing place, and
an escort of honour awaited them at the port. M.
Tedeschi, the French consular agent, gave a fete
on the occasion. Yesterday the Magellan and the
Furious steamers arrived, escorting eight Turkish
vessels laden with arms and ammunition. This
morning the two captains visited the civil and mili-
tary Pachas, after which the two vessels saluted
the citadel with 21 guns, to which the citadel re-
plied with 42 guns with great precision from the
only four guns there mounted. The greatest ac-
tivity now prevails in the port in discharging the
Turkish vessels."

A letter from the Turkish head-quarters at
Shumla, says :
" Two European physicians have been sent here from
Constantinople—one M. Fauvel, physician to the
French embassy, to attend on Omer Pacha person-
ally, the other M. Mongeri, physician to the Grand
Vizir, to inspect the military hospitals. M. Fauvel has
come at the express request of the Sultan, who was
alarmed at the reports spread about Otner Pacha s
health. The truth is the marshal suffers from a chronic
cold, which wearies him a good deal ; hut he laughingly
says that it always leaves him when he requires to
transact business or to act. An event, which has
almost the importance of a revolution, has occurred
here. A young Irish officer named O'Reilly, who fought
for Italian independence at Novarra, recently offered his
services to the Porte. As he was protected by Lord
Palmerston, the rank and position of bin-bachi major)
were immediately conferred on him ; but this gave him
no real command—Christians being excluded by Mus-
sulman prejudice from all civil and military functions.
Judge then of our surprise, when yesterday the marshal
summoned Mr. O'Reilly to his presence, and confided
to him the command of two squadrons of lancers of the
Imperial Guard. This opens a breach in the old barrier
of prejudices, and it is not to be feared that it will be
closed up again. It will henceforth he possible for any
man to render services to Turkey without being obliged
to make himself a Mussulman. It is probable that
Omer Pacha will not stop at what he has done ; but
that, after having braved religious prejudice and violated
the law of exclusion, he will take advantage of all
the talents that arise with regard to religious con-
siderations. From this, to the admission of ragas to
civil functions, there is only one step ; and that step
will be the salvation of the empire. Attention is at
present fixed on Widdin, but we are without important
news from that place. Troops, however, continue to be
sent there. For two days past the weather has been
extraordinarily mild, and the greater part of the snow in
the mountains which surround Snumla has disappeared.
If the favourable weather continues, the roads will soon
be in a good state, and the forced truce of the winter
will be at an end. Shumla is situated at the foot of
the Balkans, and is protected on all sides by mountains,
except towards Varna, and there Omer Pacha has
thrown up forts and redoubts, and sunk fosses. It is
thus a bond fide entrenched camp, and, according to
practical men, can make a serious resistance. In other
respects Shumla resembles all other Turkish towns of
Bulgaria and Roumetia,. It contains no public edifices
except barracks, hospitals, and a mosque ; and consists
of a confused collection of little houses built in mud.
Even the principal ret,idences, which are of wood, are
so bad that a French peasant in tolerable circumstances
would not live in them. The streets are full of mud,
and filthy beyond description. Several deep ravines
descend from the mountains, and are crossed by little
wooden bridges ; but they are filled up by heaps of dung
and filth, which are left there, and create disease, in-
stead of being employed in agriculture. Shumla might,
however, be made a beautiful town, and under the di-
rection of a European governor it could be transformed
in three months. Its population is from 30,000 to
35,000 souls, and its garrison is 15,000 strong."
A letter from Berlin of Feb. 25 says :—" There
is no longer any doubt as to the intimate union of
the Great Western powers. The friendly relations
betyreen Prussia and Austria are also well estab-

.We are assured that the Prussian govern-
ment has resolved to afford every' assistance to
Austria, if, in the course of the war, tine frontiers
of her Empire should be the object of any aggres-
sion. Au assurance has been received from Lon-
don that the war will be carried on with the
greatest energy, in order that it may be promptly
brought to an end. One of the most important
subjects under discussion at this moment be-
tween the Prussian Cabinet and the Cabinet of
St. Petersburg is as to what Prussia will do in
case an Anglo-French fleet shall enter the Baltic.
Russia demands that at least the Prussian ports
near the Russian frontier shall be closed to French
and English vessels. She also makes the same de-
mand on Sweden. However, our Government
will not enter into any engagements on this point."