Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-01-17
INTERESTING DETAILS OF FOREIGN
NEWS BY THE EUROPA
Extensivc preparations for War.


learn that King Oscar had invited the
Diet to nominate small number of its
members, possessing its entire confidence,
to whom, as q secret committee, the gov.
eminent may make an important COM
munication.
1t is believed that the government wish.
eS in this transformations manner to bring
some momentous facts connected with
foreign affairs to the knowledge Of the
Diet.
The King has reorganized the higher
departments of the military and naval
administration, with a view to securing
greater utility and efficiency in the event
Of hostilities.
By way of Berlin, December "a, we
have it confirmed that negotiations are
pending between Sweden and Denmark,
having for their object the conclusion of a
league offensive and defensive between
the two States. Sweden is arming by
sea and land, and Denmark will imme.
diately fortify her coasts, and place Co.
penhagen in state of defence.
Aprevious letter from Stockholm, dated
Dec. 10. says:
Stockholm is in the greatest state of
excitement to-day, caused by the arrival
of Russian courier with a note, COM
handing Sweden to close her ports to
English and French vessels and subjects.
This can scarcely be true to the full ex-
tent, but it is certain that a note of i'm
portance has arrived, and Russia is deter.
mined, either by threats or fattery, to
| H.
are in great excitement about it. The
royal family is greatly in favor of Russia,
but the nation, to a man, is against her.
The national feeling indeed, throughout
Sweden is not only intensely and invete-
rately anti-Russian, but, on the whole, is
friendly to England, and still more so to
France.
In Denmark, it is true, there are here
and there to be met with, lingering rem
nants of an old grudge against England,
and no great liking for France, but there
is as cordial dislike of Russia as in Swe-
den. With the good will of the Scandi-
navian population, neither of their sove-
reigns can very well side with Russia,
but there is no saying to what extent they
may be led.
Threatened Hostilitics in Europe.
Letters from Orsova are to the Doth,
and confirm that the Russians arc prepar-
ing for operations of decidedly aggressive
character, to be executed as soon as the
weather will allow. For this purpose the
corps of Gen. Osten Sacken, with which
the Turks have long been threatened is
now actually on their way to reinforce
Gortschakoff's army.
Up to 18th December, 5000 men of
this corps had crossed the Pruth, and
preparations were made to receive con-
tinual accessions of troops until the mid
die of January, when it was surmised
Kalefat would be attacked. Whenever
this attack does take place the battle will
be terrible.
The Turks have world wide fame as
defenders of fortified positions and the
entertainments at Kalefat are acknowledge
ed by all wh) have seen them to be of
exceeding strength and constructed with
great engineering skill.
Private letters mention, but as no pub
lie despatch hns confirmed it. it may not
be true, that fire shi was seized float
ing down the Brsphorus, having been
sent among the Russians to burn the
fleets. The story is possibly fiction.
The Divan has ordered sixteen spots
on the coast of Anatolia to be fortified.
A letter from Aleppo, of November
10Th, states that the Arabs of the Destr
have levied corps of 5000 men to aid
the Sultan. The citizens of Aleppo had
formed regiment of volunteer cavalry,
consisting of l 200 men completely equip
ped, and commanded by Ahmet Affendi,
an experienced officer, who las already
served against the Russians.
The Paris Constitutional contradicts
the late runor of dissentions between
Britain and France, which, it was assert
ed had paralyzed tie action of the fleets
in the Bosphorus. The Ambassadors OF
France and England, says the Constitu-
tionel, have the same instructions, and
the line of conduct to be adopted after
the battle Of Sinope was mutually agreed
upon by Lord Radcliffe and Gen. Bara-
quay d'IIillers.
The latest advices from Constantinople
leave it doubtful whether the allied fleets
hare yet entered the Black Sea.
Severe storms were reported, which
: may have served as an excuse for the
fleets remaining at their anchorage. We
have no accounts, however, that they
have not entered.
A despach Mentions that the Russian
steamer Pruth, in passing down thu
Danube, set two Turkish villages on fire
with red lot shot. This act. will, We
suppose, be set down as another Turkish
victory.
A letter from Brailow states that a
brigade of the 7th Russian division, com.
manded by Gen. Selvane, having quilted
Mar kenni, to attack Amoucoda, an
island in the Danube, were attacked when
in the marshes by the Turks, and suffered
severe loss before they could extricate
themselves.
A Russia war schooner was driven
into the Bosphorus, December Is, by
stress Of weather. The Russians threw
their guns overheard. and asserted the
vessel was merchantmen. The Turks
have, however, taken provisional posses.
sion of it.
The Spanish General Prim has pub.
lished an account of the battle of Olte.
nitza. He speaks in the highest terms