Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-31
THE NAVAL DEFEAT OF THE TURKS.
FROM THE LONDON TINES OF DEC. l3.

fkOM THE LONDON TIMES OF DEC. 10.
The intelligence from the Of war; which we re-
ceved yesterday with hesitation, has been corrobo-
rated by several channels and by positive announce
ment in the official journal Of France War has begun in
earnest naval action has been fought upon the coast
Of Asia Minor ending in the total destruction of por-
ton of the Ottoman feet and for the first time in naval
history Russian squadron has returned to Sebasopol
laden with the spois Of victory The war; hitherto
fined to the occupation Of the Danuban Prncpates and
to few partial of the hostile armies appears
have assumed the Black Sea the character of direct
aggression and the Emperor Of Russia has thrown down
the gauntlet to the maritime Powers precisely that
element on which they best prepared to meet him.
We have thought it duty to uphold and defend the
cause Of peace long peace was compatible with the
honor and dignity Of the country and feel regret
that to the very last have adhered TO course OF
hey which Just for the best interests Of Eng
land and Of tho civilized world prescribed But have
concealed opinion that the events occurring in
the East might long compel us TO meet by
Lutte measures sterner alternatives and we have repeat
edy urged upon the Governments Of England and France
the necessity Of being prepared with plan of operations
adapted TO such emergency. IL the intelligence last
received be confirmed in the in which IL is related
us, the time for these resolutions to take effect is al
ready come
II must however, be remarked that great perplexiy
and uncertainty still hang the details Of this por-
tant event All the accounts received Of il appear to
have been dispatched from Odessa the instant and
to have passed through Vienna They are, therefore
altogether Russian statements On the other hand il is
well ascertaned that the 18th Of November two DAYS
prior the action the principal divisions of the Turkish
feet were at anchor in the Bosphorus. Admiral Sade
had brought back his division days before with the
exception Of frigate, which had taken shelter at
Snope and great satisfaction had been expressed that
this inclement Of the year the neobatte ships
and frgaes were safe in harbor 1t would seem proba-
be therefore that the squadron which the Russians
molshed q convoy bound with troops and arms for
point the of Asia and the most probable
version of the story to be that the Russian cruisers
pursued this convoy into the Roads Of Snope 1t has
also been suggested that Sinope is naval arsenal it
possible that Of the vessels destroyed by the Rus
sians huks in that port
Snope is the best harbor the coast Of Asia Minor
situated about three hundred miles from the Bosphorus
aud Mt the narrowes part Of the Black Sea- being only
fory-two maritime leagues from Sebastopol. The town
Of Sinope is built on the sthmus Of peninsula jutng
outinto the EuSne and forming capocious harbors
That to the southeast is used by the Turks as naval
station. The town is square, hanked with towers and
covered by small CITADEL but in spite Of the importance
of the place it has long been considered the vulner
able point the whole north Of Asia Minor Th
land batteries, whatever they may he, appear to hav
been quite incompetent to meet the fire Of the ships an
this engagement furnishes another example Of the com