The Liverpool Standard, and General Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-08-01 00:00:00

THE WAR.

ANOTHER DECLARATION OF NEUTRALITY.—The King
of the Sandwich Islands has issued a proclamation of
neutrality as regards the pending European war.
THE RUSSIAN FLEET IN THE PACIFIC.—The following
is an extract of a letter received by a mercantile house in
London, dated San Francisco, June 15 :—" The Russian
fleet will do considerable mischief in the Pacific before
they are caught, and we ought to have a much more
powerful fleet here to look after them. We shall hear of
their ships destroying some of our settlements in Aus-
tralia, or even Singapore, or capturing some of the vessels
bound to England with treasure. The vessels in South
American ports, and at the Sandwich 'skalds, gave us the
slip before it was officially known that war was declared,
and I have no doubt that they will join the Russian fleet
which lately visited Japan, at some appointed rendezvous."
THEATRICALS IN THE BLACK SEA.-011 the 28th ult.,
Lord George Paulet, the commander of the Bellerophon,
gave a theatrical representation on board his ship, under
the patronage of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cam-
bridge. For him was reserved the seat of honour, an arm
chair in the front row, which included all the great folks
within hail of Varna. The ship was rigged into 2 theatre
in the most ingenious way. The scenery was good and
well managed, the ladies' parts being taken by midship-
men and boys of the ship. Two of the pieces were " The
Lottery Ticket" and " Diamond cut Diamond," both of
which (the latter especially) were most admirably per-
formed. As interludes, there were Ethiopian serenaders,
&c., and pieces performed by the splendid band of the
ship. The audiences, which consisted of some 200 officers,
were of course greatly delighted with the entertainment,
more particularly as it was concluded by a most excellent
substantial supper, in the usual profuse style of hospitality
for which the English army are so much his lordship's
debtors.

MOUSTACHES.—The following circular has been issued
in Portsmouth garrison :—" Horse Guards, July 21.—
Circular Memorandum.—A large part of the army being
employed in Turkey, where it has been found beneficial to
keep the upper lip unshaven, and allow the moustaches to
grow, the General Commanding-in-Chief is pleased to
authorize that practice in the army generally, subject
to the following regulations, which are to be strictly
obeyed in home and colonial service :—A clear space of two
inches must be left between the corner of the month and
the whisker, when whiskers are grown ; the chin, the
under lip, and at least two inches of the upper part of the
throat must be clean shaven, so that no hair can be seen
above the stock in that place. The wearing of the mous-
tache is to be optional with all ranks. The troops serving
in the East will be allowed such further latitude in respect
to shaving their beards and whiskers as the general
officer commanding that army may deem it expedient to
sanction during the continuance of that service.—By com-
mand, G. Cathcart, A.G."
NEW UNlronals.—lt is said that the new dress for the
infantry of the line has been at last finally determined
on :—" The present cap will be replaced by a shako, very
light in regard to weight, soldier-like and graceful in ap-
pearance, not unlike the cap of years back. The small
ball, the substitute for the feather, will be retained, and
the number will be conspicuously displayed. Speaking as
we are, of course, of the officers' uniform, the coat will be
in the shape of a tunic, or frock, scarlet in colour, and
double-breasted, with the facings of the regiment. The
collar will be low and open, with embroidered gold lace in
heraldic crowns and stars, showing the rank of the officer.
The shoulder-belt and breast-plate will be discontinued.
In lien thereof, there will be a white patent leather waist-
belt, with gilt ornaments in front. Epaulettes and sash
will be abolished. The black trousers will be continued
for the winter, and bluish texture for the summer. The
Guards, so long free from innovation, will, it is stated,
soon undergo a change in uniform. The cavalry uniform
patterns have not yet been sealed. It is supposed the
change in the latter will be on a limited scale."—Globe.
A HINT TO THE ADMIRALS.—The Shipping Gazette
says :—" With all their ostensible fortifications, we believe
the capture of the whole of these Russian forts in America
and Kamschatka is within the power of a couple of fri-
gates, aided by one or two war steamers. They are
neither properly fortified nor efficiently garrisoned; the
possibility of any serious attack by an organised naval
force having probably never entered into the minds-of the,
commandants —their very isolation and insignificance
having, doubtless, lulled them into a false security.. The
next mail or two from California, or the Isthmus, may,
therefore, be looked forward to with interest, as resulting
in not merely the announcement of the commencement
of the blockade, but the capture of Sitka, and one or two
of the Russian frigates. H. M. steam-sloop Argus had
arrived at Aspinwall on the 24th of June, and left next
day for Jamaica, to convoy the mail steamer Dee, as two
privateers were said to be lurking about in those latitudes.
H.M.S. Devastation was expected to convoy the Teviot,
West India steamer, on her homeward trip."
The Press of Saturday says :
" We announced in our last number the retirement of
his Excellency Comte Walewsky from the French Embassy
at the Court of St. James's. A serious misunderstanding
with M. Drouyn de L'Huys on a subject of paramount
delicacy and importance is alleged as the cause of an
incident which will be much regretted in this country.
We have now to announce that the retirement of another
diplomatic character from our court may speedily be
expected. His Excellency Admiral Virgin, Minister of
the King of Sweden, is about to conclude his too short
residence amongst us.
"The negotiations between this country and Sweden
are, at the present moment, and have been for some time,
of a critical character. Her Majesty's Government have
proposed to the Swedish Government to subsidise a Swedish
army for the attack of Finland. His Majesty the King of
Sweden has evinced an unexpected indisposition to re-
annex Finland to his crown, but has communicated a
counter project to Her Majesty's. Government for the
guaranteed independence of that country. It appears
that the British Government, sufficiently embarrassed
already with the guarantees of Belgium and Prussian
Saxony, hesitates ; and that some members of the Cabinet,
involved already with the possible contingencies both of
subsidies and guarantees, tremble at the abyss they are
approaching.

We do not feel at liberty to discuss at present how far
the recal of the Swedish Minister from our court arises
from this imbroglio.
" The Austrian Government has positively declared that
its occupation of the Principalities is incompatible with
the presence` either of a Turkish force, or of the allied
armies, in those Provinces. Thus it recurs to its project
of armed mediation.

"We have reason to believe that, in consequence of
urgent ititelligence, of a peculiar nature, received at the
Admiralty, Admiral Stopford will be dispatched imme-
diately to the Black Sea, and has, perhaps, already
departed for that quarter.

SIR CHARLES NAPIER'S OPERATION IN THE

BALTIC,

The correspondent of the Times says : —Since the return
of the Anglo-French fleet to Baro Sound, there is little
to communicate respecting it. An important circum-
stance, however, relative to its future operations, is gene-
rally accredited. This refers to an attack on Aland, in
the Gulf of Bothnia, which was contemplated some three
months since, but not carried into effect, owing to the
want of troops to co-operate with the maritime forces.
Information has been received by the last mail from
England, that several thousands of English and French
troops are ordered to the Baltic, and on their arrival the
reduction and occupation of Bomarsund, the most strongly
fortified of the Aland Isles, will be effected. It is assumed,
not upon slight grounds, that on taking possession of this
important position the Swedes will speedily unite with the
Allied Powers, and they are, it is said, only waiting for a
decisive blow being struck to send a large body of troops
to act in concert with the allies. The Penelope returned
from Faro Sound on the 11th, with four collier brigs
deeply laden. Soundings in the vicinity of the Warren
Rock were taken by several ships, which have led to the
discovery of some shoals not previously known. The
Lightning sailed to the eastward. The Bulldog left for
Copenhagen on the 13th, and the Majestic, 80, Captain
Jas. Hope, for a cruise off Gottska Sando. In this ship
the cholera has prevailed to a great extent, and it has been
necessary to detach her for a time, in the hope that its
further progress may be arrested. In the other ships it is
disappearing rapidly, no fresh cases having occurred for
several days. The Amphion, 36, Captain A. C. Key,
arrived in Baro Sound on the morning of the 17th, after
an absence from the fleet of several weeks, during which
period she has been cruising off Memel, and captured
several of the enemy's vessels. Rear-Admiral Mum-
ridge, in the Leopard, with the Valorous and Odin,
is cruising among the Aland Isles. On leavin'n. Baro
Sound the allied squadron will proceed up the Gulf of
Bothnia, reconnoitering Bomarsund. The signal " Prepare
for sailing to-morrow" has just been made, most probably
to cruise off the entrance of the Gulf of Bothnia until the
arrival of the French troops. The Dauntless, 33, Captain
Ryder, is expected daily to arrive from England.
The Morning Herald has published the following tele-
graphic despatch, dated Dantzic, July 27 :—" The Heels.
and Valorous have cannonaded Bomarsund, without loss
to either vessel. The Valorous got ashore, but got off,
though with considerable damage. The English and
French admirals are at Ledsund. Rear-admiral Martin
is at Helsingfors. Rear-admiral Corry goes home sick, in
the Dauntless. Rear-admiral Plumridge, with the block-
ships and paddles, at Bomarsund. The Nicolai arrived on
Thursday."
The following telegraphic despatch, dated Dantzic,
Thursday, has been published :—" The transport boat
Nicolai, Captain Hunter, has arrived, having left Bard
Sound on the 25th. There were then three ships at
Bard Sound, eight cruising between Helsingfors and
Cronstadt. The rest were near the Aland group. No
cases of cholera had occurred since last we heard from the
fleet."
A telegraphic despatch, dated Copenhagen, Wednesday,
says, "Yesterday, two French sailing line-of-battle ships
and two sailing frigates, supposed to have troops, artillery,
and ammunition on board, were towed through the Belt.
General Baraguay d'Hilliers sailed to-day for the Baltic
in the Reine Hortense.
The correspondent of the Daily News, in a letter dated

Barg Sound, July IS, says, "The Lightning was despatched
on the evening of the 11th, with a flag of truce to Helsing-
fors, with the view of entering into a negotiation for the
liberation of prisoners. The men, taken in the Vulture's
paddle-box boat, are now there. The Lightning, when
within about two miles and a half, was warned by three
blank guns from the fortress, to bring up, and stand to
some distance off the port ; she accordingly anchored, a boat
was lowered, and Captain Sullivan pulled in towards the
harbour. This boat was met by another from the Russian
flag-ship, having the flag-lieutenant on board. Captain
Sullivan was accompanied by an interpreter (belonging to
the foreign-office), who is doing duty as such, and borne
in the flag-ship for this service. The Russian officer
would not speak Sclavonic, but his scanty conversation
was maintained in French, probably with the view of not
allowing his boat's crew to know what was taking place.
This officer bore the commander-in-chief's despatch to the
Russian authorities, and at two a.m. a post-captain, in a
small steamer, returned with a letter in reply. During
the interview the Russian officers adopted the ignoring
principle relative to every question put to them, refused
any information, even about how the prisoners were get-
ting on ; but their bearing was most gentlemanlike, cour-
teous, and full of respect."

The Alban arrived at Baro Sound from Port Baltic on
the 7th, where she has been surveying. 'While there she
landed a party under a flag of truce, when several officers
of the Imperial Guard came down to the beach and smoked
cigars with them sin the most friendly manner. They ap-
peared a very intelligent and gentlemanly set of fellows,
and when invited on board consented to come, but the
general in command would not allow them. The foilifica-
tions round Revel have been very much strengthened ; the
people along the coast are inclined to be exceedingly civil
and friendly on all occasions.

THE AUSTRIAN AND TURKISH FRONTIER,

At Vienna it is universally felt that the blockade which
Russia has establisned on the eastern frontiers of this em
pire must he raised without delay. The commerce of Austria
received a tremendous shock when the navigation of the
Danube was interrupted, and now the passes from Tran-
sylvania into Moldavia are as hermetically sealed as is the
great German river. The Presse has a letter of the 6th
from Shumla, which contains some interesting particulars
relative to Silistria. There is hardly a house standing in
the town, the Russian artillery from the Wallachian bank
of the river, from the islands, and from the gunboats,
having destroyed everything. During the siege several
lines of defence were broken through, but when the Rus-
sians attempted to pursue their advantage they found that
the indefatigable Turks had constructed a retrenchment.
The Russians have committed great excesses in the Do-
brudscha. The communities of Battadschi, Sitiskoi, and
Dautsche were obliged to pay a heavy fine for having dis-
played sympathy for the Turks, and the three villages
were destroyed by the Cossacks before they left. A courier,
who arrived at Bucharest on the 11th, stated that when
he left Hirsova the Russians were razing the walls of the
fortress. The same person also related that all the forti-
fied places in the Dobrndscha were to be destroyed.
Prince Gortschakoff on the 2nd of July issued a proclama-
tion, in which he invited the inhabitants of the province
to follow him, promising, in the name of the Czar, that
they should receive a certain sum of money and some
land on the left bank of the Dniester. Bands of Cossacks
had traversed the country in all directions, ill-treating
the Bulgarians who would not consent to cross the Danube.

According to a telegraphic despatch from Vienna, of
the 22nd ult., there appears to have been " a warm affair
on the 16th, between the advanced posts beyond Giurgevo,
in which General Buturlin and the Hetman of the Cos-
sacks were wounded. General Luders has concentrated
his forces at Obiliesti, to the eastward of Bucharest.
Prince Gortschakoff continues to direct his troops towards
the Danube. The Turks are fortifying themselves at
Giurgevo. According to letters from Bucharest of the
19th, Omar Pasha appears for the present to be disposed
to avoid a general action." According to the last accounts
from the Danubian provinces, published by the Patrie,
the Russians had completely evacuated the Dobrudscha
on the 12th, and removed their sick to Galatz. A great
number of wounded had died on the road.
Six thousand Russians and as many Georgians were
attacked on their way to Akhaltzik, by Kerim Pasha, and
repulsed. The Russians lost 400 prisoners and six guns.
On the 20th Prince Gortschakoff had a long interview
with Count Buol, and immediately after the Austrian
statesman was closeted with the Earl of Westmoreland
and Count Buol. It is affirmed that the mission of the
Russian diplomatist has signally failed.
In Berlin the belief gains ground that the represen-
tatives of England and France in Vienna have already
communicated to the Austrian cabinet the views of their
governments, to the effect that they do not find any basis
in the Russian answer on which to recommence any ne-
gociations. The Prussian representatives in Vienna are
therefore believed now to be engaged in drawing up and
agreeing to a form of note, or forms of notes, to be des-
patched with but little loss of time to St. Petersburgh.
From Constantinople we learn that an unhappy piece of
adventure has led to the death of Captain Parker, of the
Firebrand, near the village of Sulina, on the 7th ult. This
village or town is situated at the mouth of the Danube,
and its neighbourhood is surrounded by thickets of tall
reeds. After the capture of Sulina last month, it was
thought that the Russians had entirely left the vicinity,
and a degree of confidence or negligence was inspired,
which has terminated most unfortunately. It appears
that so far from the enemy having abandoned the neigh-
bourhood, they have never ceased to occupy the jungle
which lines the banks of the river, and have waited for
their opportunity to revenge the off-hand capture of this
important point. On Friday, the 7th nit., Captain Parker
was ascending the river in his gig, and at some distance
behind was-another boat of the same vessel, and Captain
Powell, of the Vesuvius, in a third. The excursion was
unconnected with martial enterprise, and as the boat came
abreast of a stockade, supposed to have been abandoned
by the Russians, it was suddenly fired on. Capt. Parker
sprung on shore to lead the attack. He had made but a
few steps when he was struck through the heart with a
musket ball and fell dead. Captain Powell then took the
command, and in a few minutes drove the enemy from
their stronghold. The Russians made a brave resistance.
The unfortunate commander who fell in this affair was one
of the youngest post-captains in the navy ; he had, it is
said, just completed his 29th year. He was the son of
Admiral Hyde Parker, late one of the lords of the admi-
ralty. The body was taken to Constantinople in the Fire-
brand, and the funeral took place in the Grand Champ des
Morts, at Pera. The British Ambassador, with most of
the attaches, attended the ceremony, which took place
with full military honours. The Charlemagne, French
screw line-of-battle ship, is now in the Bosphorus, and her
captain, the Count de Chabannes, with most of his officers,
and a portion of the crew, were present. Detachments
from all the regiments, which have left any of their num-
ber at Scutari, formed part of the procession. Among
them were files of the 28th, 55th, 93d Highlanders, and
95th regiments. Halil Pacha represented the Turkish
navy in his quality of superintendent of the artillery.