The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-01
CORRESPJN DENCE OF THE NATIONAL ERA
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
LONDON, November 10, 1853.


five take the funds rs to certain degree
they are TO be the barOmetcrs for the measure
of the atmosphere of Peace and War, they
have lately presented some curious anomalies, /
which only geological intelligence, a. e., the /
intelligence of Bulls and Bears, can be supposed
to comprehend The grounds on which Rus /
STA seemed determined 70 invade Turkey were
so mauifestly unjust and indetensible that it |
was difficult for Europe, looking on, to believe |
that the Gar would actually carry his threats /
into execution. Thus the public went on hoping
against hope, that the peace would not be |
broken, in spite OF every step that indicated I
the contrary, and even now that war has act /
ually been commenced and actions fought, the /
reluctance to credit the natural result that
blood will continue to be shed, appears 10 be /
strong as the repugnance to credit the DOS |
sIbiity OF a rupture on such prctences as were /
invented by the arrogant Muscoyite Ambassa-
dor This tacit condemnation Of Russia il a
remarkable feature in the case: and, in our
eyes, more damnatory than the bitterest dia
tribes which affrOnted Justice could offer.
From the comparison of the accounts from
the seat Of war, 1t appears that the Turks un-
der Omar Pasha have crossed the Danube at
several points between Widdln and Brailow,
and been engaged in battle array to the extent
of nearly hundred miles on the left of the
river. An electric message from Vienna states,
on the authority Of dispatches from Bucharest.
that serious battle had taken place. in which
the Russians were defeated with the loss of
fourteen general officers, and were retreating
on their headquarters. But smart engage
ments had previously taken place on other
points, especially in lower Wallachia, towards
KraJova, and at Giurgero, opposite to Rust
Il DO 10 a. e
their divisions across the Danube.
In the absence of bulletins or authentic ac-
counts it is impossible clearly TO understand
the details of these affairs hut they appear to
have been sanguinary and fercely contested,
aud the advantages generally to have remained
with the Turks 1t seems, also, evident that
their enemy was not prepared to overwhelm
them on their landing; but has on the con
trary, been compelled to fall back and concen-
trate his forces.
We will not NEEDLE with the mere specua-
ton as to what is likely to be the consequences
of the Russians beating the Turks, CT the Turks
beating the Russians, in the principalities.
They are such complete guess work, and have
30 little real information whereon to found
probable conjecture, that to discuss them would
be an idle waste of time; especially as one
thing il certain, viz: that the entire issue de-
ponds upon the passions of one mGn-the En-
peror Of Russia. How defeat may rufle bis
temper or victory confirm his ambition no one
can tell and therefore we will not venture pre-.
dcton where the chances are so inscrutable
But the Russian reinforcing CORPS are march
ing rapidly towards the Pruth, and from the
Ccmea every succor is being forwarded to the
scene of strife and every aspect BODIES a des-
perate struggle, in defiance of the near APP
preaching inclemency of the winter season.
The Turkish army will derive much benefit
from the presence and cooperation Of skillful
officers from every nation in Europe to advise
measures, direct engineering and artillery, and
| perform other services Of most essential value
! The war has also, as we expected broken out
on the Asiatc side and news from Batoum de-
scribe the movement and collision of troops in
that quarter, where we are of opinion the Rus
sian Empire is very vulnerable. On what side
Persia will range itself becomes, under these
circumstances, an interesting question. The
most opposite reports are ventilated on the
subject.
Stirbey the Wallachau Hospodar, has quit
| ted Bucharest for Vienna, and his brother Of
Modavia will probably follow his example,
as few gentlemen like the position of being be-
tween the edges of pair of sharp scissors
men are 10 readiness to be transported if peed
be, to the Bosphorus; and we believe we may
confidently announce that British military
force will also be ready to proceed in the same
direction, if required At any rate, we know
that troop ships and transports have been I'M
ostentatiousy preparing Tor service, and are
now pretty well all taught" But such things
can be done even in the river Thames with.
out attracting the public notice; and the news
papers, with all their avidty to collect ntelli-
gence are not 80 apt a. one might imagine in
observing isolated facts and putting that and
that together towards clear and important
conclusions. A sort of routine sufices
BIT every hour is now 30 redolent of now
and startling rumors, that even whilst we write
for the latest despatch of post and packet
We receive important communications even
through Russian media, by way Of Bucharest
and Vienna. If these are credible, and, de-
rived from such quarters, there seems less rea
son to doubt them, or fancy them unfavorable
to the invaders cause, the Emperor Nicholas
| has promulgated q manifesto at st. Peters
burgh equivalent to a declaration of war, and
his army in Wallachia has suffered reverses
far more signal than have hitherto been sup
posed Besides the wel-contesied action with
General Perlof at Oltenitza, and the spirited
affair at Giurgono in both Of which the Turks
had the advantage, it is now stated that
| pitched battle between the main armies--the
Turkish left advancing from Widdin and Kal-
aiat, and the Russian right wing at Bucharest,
commanded by General Daunenbcrg- been
! fought on the line towards the capital between
kra iowa and Statina in which the Russian
force, amounting to between 30, 900 and 40 900
| men, has been defeated and forced to retreat
| This is the battle in which fourteen general
| officers were said TO have been slain--a KEY to
! a great amount of Straightforward the defeated
army falling back on lts resources at Bucha-
rest and concentrating there, will Of course
| give their opponents occasion for another trial
| of strength The advantages already obtained
are both unexpected and Of momentous bear
| ing upon the final issue. Every honest breast
out Of Russia, must beat with exultation at
the fortunate beginning Of the campaign and
| if it does fall within the limits Of the possible,
that the aggressOrs should be compelled before
winter, either by disaster or compromise, TO re-
tire from the rincipalities, the obstacles to
pacific settlement would be almost entirely
removed. At all events Russia will find her
power, enormous as they are, severely taxed,
to meat the exigencies on every side for, even
in Georgia, on the Caspian, and in the Cauca-
sus she is required to make great cxertions to
sustain her attitude, and repol the wild leves
which are now joining the original array of
her warrior foes That she il Fastening on
all hands to meet these demands affords ONLY
a convincing proof of the severity Of the pres.
sure, before an ally of Turkey materially inter
fercs, TO bring the conflict to a decision com
patble with the law Of nations and the bal.
ance Of European Powers.
strange and pregnant revelation is now
opening out in Paris where the conspirators
arrested tor the attempt to assassinate the
Emperor at the Opera Comque, have been
upon their trial before the Court Of As-ze
Same of the accused lorty -four have heep dis