Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-01-06

st. Louis, to the effect that the Russians
had destroyed the Turkish feet in the
Black Sea, after gallant and desperate
resistance. For, not only had the pub
lie mind become accustomed TO the idea
of Turkish equality, if not superiority.
but the sea was the last arena in which
it was supposed that the Russians could
gain any laurels. Unde. the shock OF
this intelligence, there was quite gen.
eral disposition to credit the most exag-
gerated reports and TO admit the most
alarming differences rs to the influence
the disaster must have upon the progress
OF the war, aud by consequence upon
the liberties and the progress OF Europe.
We are happy to be able to contradict
these impressions and to allay these ex-
cessive apprehensions. The battle at
Sinope was comparatively insignificant,
though as far as our imperfect intelli-
gence can clear up the facts, it was gal
lantly contested on both sides. IL was
fought, not between the numero $ and
powerful Turkish feet OF the Is 60 Sea,
and corresponding number y. iussian
ships, but between a Turkish squadron
OF three frigates, and two little steamers,
with some small transports, and force
OF six sail OF the line, twelve frigrates
and some smaller vessels, commanded
/ by Vice Admiral NAcHIMoFF, the Oldest
Russian Commander on that Sea. The
Turkish Admiral 0sman asha was pro-
ceeding up the coast, conveying men aud
stores TO Batun for the Turkish u my in
Asia, when he was met by the enemy's
feet off Sinope, a place on the southern
shore, just in that part where the Sea
is narrowest. with the Russian naval
station of Sevastapol nearly opposite on
the northern shore. the distance between
the two places being about 10 miles,
Ii seems that the main action took place
in the harbor, where 0sman Pasha en-
deavored to find refuge from the superb
or force Of Nachimof So desperate
was the fighting that the Russians, ac-
cording 10 their own account, carried
away only one prize, the fag-sbip oi the
squadron, and she sunk before they
reached Sevastopol. All the other We s.
sells were destroyed, we are told except
one, which made good its escape. AT
the same time the Russian fleet vas 50
damaged in the fight that some OF its
craft had serious difficulty in making
port. Such are lne facts, US they up.
pear from the best statements ut our
command.
The Russians have thus gained IA.
val advantage, but II Is not one which
proves their ability to cope equally with
the Turks at sed, any more than the de-
feat vi a regiment by brigade, would
ovlnce real superiority on land. The
bulk ol the rurklsh heot Is untouched,
und according ~ good witnesses, ID by
no means a desplcab,e lorce. Il was
no DOUBT gross stragetlc blunder on
the part OF Admiral Siade, or his supe.
riors ut Constantnople, to expose tai.
small squadron To be destroyed as IL has
been, but II does not essentially effect
the power OF Turkey to prosecute the
war. Not o ly Is a naval defeat OF less
: account ~ her than one on land, but she
still has ships enough 10 keep the Rus.
SLAMS at a res poetable distan 80 IRON III,
BVsphorus. There ID no reason TO doubl
that even alter this disaster, her fleet /,
sufficiently powerful 10 render the ap
poarance Ola Russian squadron before
Constantinoplo impossible, II not 10 un
! dertake positive hostiites aud repea
. at seme Russian port, the procedure jus
tried ut Sinope.
The British Ministerial journals tall
very loudly Ia connection with thi
even, rs u IL were something surpris
ing on tho part VI Russia, and must do
termine war like action on the part O
the allied powers. Both these opinion
seem untounded. II could not be OK
; pected that, while Russia's Asiulic pos
sessions, aud some OF her best Generals
are threatened with destruction by th,
victorious Turks and nsurgent noun
taineers, she should look ON quietly an,
see relnioreements, guns and amuaitiof
carried TO the enemy. Ii " true tn
Gar lonl since avowed his military op
oratlons 10 be merely defensive, or a
, the utmost to aim at the peaceful 70
tention OF what he called "materia
guarantees, but then the Turks ha
: not declared war. and were not mena
! cling him with the complete loss OF tn
painiuly-won aud dearly.held province
: OF the Caucases. In such a contngen
: cy, II were absurd To expect him To con
:, fino his defensive action to mere rssis
: lance In that region aud all the Will
: allow the Turks 10 accumulate force
there, which would render his destruc
: ton certain. In any Interpretation o
!. the declarations aud pledges OF th
J, Gear, Admiral Nachmoh has done moth
/ ing which ought not to have been OK
!. pectcd, or with which Il Is possible &
! iind the slightest fault.
y Nor does II follow by any means tha
IL. the allied powers will not earnestly talk
: up y quarrel which they have hIihert
, embraced with very languid zeal an,
snail-likc energy. Because tho Turk
are beaten In one engagement Frame
and England will not prccipitate th
general war they have so laboriousl
avoided. They will merely prosecute
their negotiations, redouble their proto
coils. aud produce an endless new cro
: VI notes and diplomatic dispatches, Il
j this point ol view the event may ton
- To the restoration OF peace. IL viii as
J. suage the wuunded vanity OF tho Car
@ aud afford bI,n the opportunity OF aceep
ting the terms proposed by tho media
tors without feeling himself hum llIated
4 II he has suffered reversses On tae Dan
ube aud IN Asia, he has covered the Rus
= sian arms with the unheared-oi-glory o
a marine victory, Now he can afford /,
g return ~ hIs famous maghlnlnIty, an
graciVualy allay the tears ol universe
= conllagration with which he has insplr
cd all Europe. The prospect ol paelI
ic settlement has gained by the Turk
i III defeat ut Sinope. Y. Tribune