The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-17

objects In view, to the entire satisfaction of
their master; but it must be admitted that the
Russian Generals have, in their struggle with
the Turks, displayed very little skill, and in
deed, committed many great plumbers. IL is,
however, to be observed, that the Russian troops
ana their leaders are much more qualified sue
cessfully to tight pitched battles than to cap
ture fortified places, in the defence of which
the Turks, on the contrary, have already proved
themselves very tenacious and successful. 1t
would not be safe, therefore, to conclude from
the little success which has hitherto accompa-
MED the operations of the Russians. that it
would be an easy task for the allied forces,
even with the aid Of Austria, to compel the
Russian army to withdraw within the frontiers
OF Russia, and to impose upon the Gar a dis
advantageous and humihating peace. Such
results can be obtained only by the greatest
sacrifices and by the most energetic efforts.
The hostile attitude which Austria has as
sumed, at least in appearance, against Russia,
has made the Austrian Government popular
among the German people while, on the other
hand, the petty Courts of Germany are sup
posed to incline rather to Russia, and to the
pohcy pursued by Prussia. Thus a new and
exciting cause of discord between the German
princes and their subjects is added to the many
already long existing.
MANY OF the German papers are ridiculing
the small results which the immense naval
ornaments of England and France have hith-
erto produced, and one of the Prussan papers
applies to Admiral Napier the epithet of g the
never-fghting little Charlesn But there can
be no doubt that the English and French Ad-
mlrals IN the Baltic as well as In the Black Sea
have hitherto been restrained by orders Of their
respective Governments from attacking Cron-
stadt, Sweaborg, and Sebastopol. Besides it
must not be forgotten, that to attack such
strong tortresses without the cooperation of a
sufficient number of land troops is among the
most hazardous military enterprises that can
be imagined. 1t is therefore that France and
bngland are so anxious to induce the ScandiS
naUan Governments to change their present.
neutrality into active cooperation with them
against Russia. The Scandinavian people en-
brace the same views but the Government of
Sweden and Norway is still hcsitating, while
the Danish King and Cabinet evince strong
inclination to side with Russia. The prObabil-
ity, however, is, that the scandinavian king
doms or at least Sweden and Norway, viii
ere long conclude defensive and offensive al
liance with the Western Powers, and thus fur
nlsh them with means of secOnding their naval
operations in the Baltic with numerous and
valOrous land forces
IL Is generally supposed that 1t Is the lnten-
ton of Admiral Napier to take possession Of
the Islands of Aland as soon as the arrival of
a sufficient number of French troops will ena-
bic him to execute that enterprise. The islasd
group of Aland is situated about one hundred
English miles from Stockholm, and distant from
the coast Of Sweden scarcely more than TWEEN
ty miles, while they are only about twelve miles
remote from the nearest coast of Finland.
These islands arc inhabited by $4,000 persons,
of Swedish origin. The principal of those
islands has very capacious and safe harbor,
IN which the whole Of the allied fleet might
hnd a safe and spacious anchorage. Ii is call
ed ltterndeS On the island now in question,
which is called the Ring il situated the strong
fortress of BomarSund. which is 50 large that
1t can contain within its walls garrison Of
sixty thousand men. The strength OF this place,
the excellence Of the harbor above mentioned,
and the near situation to Finland makes the
acquisition Of this island OF the highest import
ance to the Western Powers. Consequently it
can be taken for granted, that we will soon
learn that the allied fleet ia the Baltic is d.
recting its chief efforts against Bomarsund,
which will probably fail in their possession.
DIoGENEs. ,