The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-12-01
BRITISH FORCE IN HE CRIMEA.

The British journals appear to be opening
their eyes to the real character of the present
war. The dfiulties already encountered by
the allies from the invasion of Russian terri
tory have produced a very decided change in
their opinions respecting the power of resist
ance of Russia and their hopes of speedy
conquest. One entire season has passed over,
and still no impression has been made upon
the enemy. Fleets greater than England ev
er assembled in hostile array before an adye--
sary have been unable to accomplish any de-
cided act which brings England nearer to her
object-to put stop to the territorial pro-
gress of Russia. In the Crmea she has been
the most successful in her operations, but
even there has accomplished nothing decisive,
while her army is melting away with alarm
ing rapidity. or the thirty thousand men
who left England for the seat Of war on the
Black Sea, she has lost by cholera, by war,
and other casualties $4,000 men, according
to the calculation of the Liverpool Northern
Times. Her army has recently received n
reinforcement of 200 marines, and perhaps
1000 troops of all arms, and, with the 1000
which are going out, the British force may be
increased to $4,000 or $4,000. The made
quacy of this force to retain possession OF
any conquest made in the East against one
of the most powerful countries of Europe,
begins to press itself painfully upon the Eng
lish mind, and hence we see the journals be-
! ginning to rouse the nation to new efforts to
sustain the honor of its army, involving a
| vast expenditure OF treasure. The Times
says:
awe require m allied army Of 100000
| men in the East, and it is vain longer to de-
nv the fact, or endeayor to give amore favor
able coloring to the position we are really in.
France can supply her contingent, and Eng
land must find her moiety. We were in hopes
that diplomacy, backed by formidable war
like demonstration on the part of the two
greatest military and naval powers of Eu-
rope, would have brought the Car to some
equitable terms. This vision has now passed
away, and the idea of playing at war any
longer must be totally expl ded.
"'rhe troops stationed in our colonies must
be brought home, and the defence of our dis.
lant possessions left to the loyalty and pat
riotism of our coonists. Recruits must be
obtained, and no means of offence or defence
left longer to take care of themselves. All
that is now being done is well enough MS far
MS it roes; but the Ottoman dominiOns have
still to be protected, and the blood of civiiz-
alton has to be avenged. We can no more
think of retiring from the field while these
duties remain to be performed and crowned
with victory than we could think OF abandon
ing our homes and hearths to u Russian IN
vader. Experience has already shown us
what the nature of the present contest really
is, and to neglect another day to prepare for
what has to follow would be highly criminal.
One hundred thousand British troops and the
same number OF French must, cOute qu'H cOute,
be sent to the East without delay. With the
fall of Sebastopo our present intense anxiety
may cease, but with that event the war must
be considered as only just commencing"