New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-17
sEYASTOPOL.

The news Drought by the ASIA Is not IaVOraOle
10 the final success Of the Allies ct Seyastopol;
indeed, it shows that their present position is
at least very precarious. According to the
dispatch from Lord Radcliffe, published in Lon
don Just before the steamer sailed, and re-
ceived at Liverpool BY telegraph the Russians
made sn attack on the 25th ult.-not against
the trenches before the city, but upon Bals-
klavs, the allied base of operations. This
attack, says the Dispatch was a surprise, and the
Turkish troops on whom, with q Scotch corps,
the brunt Of the battle fell, were driven back at
first, but the ground was subsequently recovered,
with the exception that two forts renained in
the hands Of the Russians. Besides, according to
the dispatch, the French were attacked on the
next day bys body Of 5000 Russians, as we'll
from the side of the city as from that Of Bala-
klaya. Now, the right of the allied position, or
the side exposed to attacks from Russian forces in
the field is occupied by the English, while the
French hold the left, or the position toward the
sea. How, then, could the French be attacked
by Russians in the rear, unless the communica-
tons of the Allies with Balaklava had been cut
of, 90 thsta Russian corps could be moved around
behind the British position and flung upon the
left of the allied camp Another circumstance
which especially merits attention is, that the
steamer from BaIaklavs, by which Lord Radcliffe
received this intelligence, seems to have brought
no communications from the allied commanders,
his LOrdship having received the materials Of bis
dispatch "frOn what has been gathered on the
~
difficulty in communicating with Bslsklsva, why
should he have failed to 5eceive accurate official
information concerning the state of affairs There
is some mystery in the premises, which only goes
to confirm the suspicion caused by the withhold.
ing of previousd dispatches on the part ofthe Brit
ish and French Governments. Certainly, if the
facts were not disastrous in their character, they
would not keep them from the public.
The Russian reports, however, do not put SO
grave an aspect on this affair at Balaklava as it
wears in the dispatch of Lord Radcliffe. Ac-
cording to Prince Menchikof, it was simplya rout
of the allies, with the loss of 500 horses, state
ment fully confirmed by Lord Redclf., who says
that three regiments of cavalry suffered immense
ly. Mencbikof, however, says nothing Of retain
ing possession of two forts, still less of any posi-
tive menacing of the allied communications by
his troops, possibly because bis reports do not
come down to the 2Sth the day when the French
rear was attacked. At any rate, from him
we get no light on the reasons for the peculiar
nature of Lord Redclife's dispatch. But,
though the matter is thus obscure, it is
certain, from the statements Of the Allies, that
the siege was not advancing as they would
desire. BY our last previous advices, re-
ceived by the Atlantic, we were made to expect
that in three or four days the town would be
stormed, but now we are told that, though breach
es are made in the walls it is deemed best by the
allied Generals not to undertake an assault but
to reduce the place by prolonged bombardment.
This, too is all indication of an uufavorable turn
of things, and altogether, we fear that the result
of the expedition may be q serious revere for the
allied arms. We must also not forget that if the
Russians have also been strengthened; this at
tack on Balaklava was headed by Gen. Liprand
but lately on the Danube, whence with the corps
under his command, it is evident that he has now
arrived in the Crimea.
In considering the probabilities Of the siege, it
should not be forgotten that though Sevastopol is
spoken of as fortress 1t is rather collection Of
Independent and isolated strongholds, than sim
gle united ratification with its parts dependent on
each other. 1t does not appear that the Allies
have made serious impression on any but the
Quarantine Fort and Fort Constantine, which
defend the entrance of the bay Apart from the
North Fort which is the most important Of ALL
there are several others along the water line on
the besieged side of the bay, which are by no
means captured or silenoed by breaches in the
lanaward walls, and which must play murder
Gus part in case Of storm of the city and fight
in the streets. However, a fe v days more must
settle the question, and decide whether the cam
paign is to result in dear bought triumph for
the Allies, or in a most injurious and facilitating
defeat. The next intelligence received here will
probably be by the Canada, which sailed from
Liverpool on the It'll and will be due at Halifax
on Tuesday or Wednesday next
NAPOLEON ON sOULE.
A wellinformed correspondent at Paris as
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