The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-16
The News by the Atlantio-Bombartime nt OF
Odessa.

The News by the Atlantio-Bombartimeat or
Odessa.
Admiral DunGas has ut lest been aroused
from the state Of lethargy which had brought
upon him not only the sneers of his comrades
in arms, but the indignant comments Of some Of
the London journals, and commenced the naval
campaign by demonstration. which, as far as
we can udge from the confused and imperfect
accounts that have reached us, looks very like
failure. In specializing, short time since,
on the line of operations that would probably
be pursued by the allied fleets, we indicated
Odessa as being likely to be the first point Of
attack from the double inducements held out
by the comparatively weak character Of its de-
fences; and the fact of its being the great COM
mercial emporium of the south Of Russia From
this source the armies operating en- the Lower
Danube draw their supplies of grain, and it il
obviously one of the first steps necessary to the
successful prosecution of hostilitiesin this quar-
ter that possession of it should be obtained by
the allies In a military point of NEW, it's oc-
cupation is of still higher Importance, as it may
be said to form the key to the Prircipalities;
and the landing of any considerable force here
would turn the flank of the Russian mics and
cut off their retreat acrosst the Pruth.
The news Of the bombardment of ODESSA was
therefore to be looked for as imminent, and
some intimation of the Ad,niral's instructions
with regard to it must have got wind, for the
fact itself was anticipated for stock jobbing
purposes by about week. We confess, how
ever, that we were not prepared for the sntelli-
genee that this first important naval operation
of the allies against one of the weakest perts in
the Black Sea should have been attended with
such little success The destruction of battery
of four guns, of an inconsiderable portion of
the town, and of eight or nine merchantmen
thai lay in the harbor, appear, according to
both the Austrian and Russian accounts, to be
the only results attained by a canopuade of ten
hours duration. An attempt to land force Of
1880 men failed and in the attack three of the
English steamers were. disabled by the fire of the
batteries. 1t is stated in another account
that the Russian fleet sailed out of Sc 1
bastopol and advanced against the allied
squadron, with the view of getting it between
two fires but that on a portion of the British
ships offering battle, the Russians withdrew to
their stronghold. If this be the fact, it does
not say much for the pluck Of the latter, as no
more favorable opportunity could have been
presented to them of measuring their strength
with their enemies at sea. Only o portion of
the combined fleets seems to have been engaged
in this attack, the number of vessels being va
riously stated but in no instance exceeding
eighteen.
Between the contradictory accounts given
respecting the issue of this affair." it is impossi
BILE to arrive at any clear conclusion as to the
actual facts. A private telegraphic despatch
received from Odessa by an eminent Greek
firm in London, and dated April 20, announced
that the whole of the combined feet had taken
their departure on that day, whilst the Austrian
Correspondent, under date of Bucharest,
April rs, states that the bombardment still
contnued-that four frigates were severely
damaged and that the Woronzoff palace was
totally destroyed.
From the Danube the news is important.
The Russians have retired from all their posi-
tons opposite Kalefat, and fallen back on Blu
charest. The Turks, relieved from all fears for
that position, had withdrawn a considerable
portion of the force entrenched there, and had
successfully occupied Mulglavit, Gunia, Po-
jana, and Palecheti and were expected to reach
Krajova on the 2Sth ult. Oner Pacha was con-
centrating all his forces at Shumla, and was
determined to make stand there, and to en-
deavor to prevent the further advance of the
Russians The important position of Silistria
was closely invested, and apprehensions were
entertained that its defenders would not be
able to hold out until the arrival of aid. All
these facts indicate that the approaching sum-
mer campaign will be actively prosecuted on
both sides.
Sir Charles Napier has as yet done nothing
in the Baltic. The feet was at Stockholm on
the 2lst and on the 25th the Admiral had an
interview with King Oscar. The object of his
visit is not stated.
The Greek revolution has sustained some
checks, and it is said that dissensions have
sprung up amongst its leaders. The Porte is
about to remove at its own cost to the Pirans
all the Greeks who are too poor to pay their
own expenses.
In another part Of our paper will be found
letters from the Madrid correspondents of the
London Times and Chronicle, which will be
read with interest, as protesting to give a faith
full representation Of the state of Spanish feel
ing as regards our claims against that govern
ment. Whilst admitting that almost all sensi-
bic men own that Cuba must sooner or later
pass into eur possession, the former expresses
his belief that at the last moment Spain would
emancipate the slaves and abandon the island
to them sooner than that it should fall into our
hands. For even this result we are prepared.
RELIGIOUS ToLERArIoS ABRoAD.-We trust
that Archbishop Hughes will read, mark and
inwardly digest the speech of General Cass,
which we publish in another column. His
Grace, it will be remembered, took occasion,
at the time of the Madiai excitement. to adj