Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-04-19

and London, but more especially with AnStrls
| and the German States-namely, to labor foi
the restoration of peace, on the basis OF right
| as it has been laid down in the protocols o.
Vienna, and reserving to itself the power o.
| deciding in favor of an active intervention
! On these grounds the Chamber sanctions the
law enabling the State to contract this loan for
extraordinary militarypugposes. 1t wosld have
been preferable if this declaration lad origi-
mated with the cabinet rather than the Cham
| Der for the crown and its ministers can hard
| ly be said to be bound by the resolution of a
! committee of supply, and Baron Manteutfel
| confined himself to ii statement that the Prus-
sian cabinet would continue to use its efforts
for the restoration of peace in conjunction with
| France, England, and Austria But we take
this resolution to be creditable proof of the
desire of the Prussian Legislature to support
the position Of the kingdom in Europe, and an
expression of public opinion which even the
court would not find it safe to oppose
At,the same time Baron Hess has arrived in
Berlin on special mission of great importance
from Vienna and it is said that his instructions
have had considerable effect in strengthening
the resolution of the Prussan government.
The rumor that a separate treaty or convention
had been negotiated between Austria and Prus-
STA is believed to be premature, if not altogeth.
err unfounded, though probably these powers
may take measures to renew the convention OF
Olmutz which was concluded in 1851, and ex-
pires III May next; but the Prussian govern.
ment seems rather more favorable to the
adoption Of another protocol, to be signed
at Vienna by the four powers, for the pur-
pose of uniting them with greater precision
in the course they have to pursue The
effect of such protocol would be to con-
stitute positive engagement on the part OF
the German powers not to take any active
measures adverse to the cause of the western
States, and it would lay the basis of nearer
alliance, to which subsequent events might give
more activity and Importance. In dealing with
the German courts the ministers OF France and
| England appear to us to have shown great skill
and discretion in allowing them to advance at
their own slow and faltering pace, without re-
tarding on that account our own more vigorous
preparations. Sooner or later, we trust that by
the growing public opinion Of Europe, by the
fresh disclosures of Russian duplicity, and the
| fresh incursions of the Russian armies, the
German powers will be compelled to join US, and
we only hope that they will not wait to do with
danger and discredit what they might have
done earlier with safety and with honor. The
| production of the 'secret and confidential cor
respondence" has had an immense effect in
every part Of the continent, and more espe-
cialy at Vienna, for it turns out at the very time
| tclep the Emperor Of Russia acds making these
! communications to Sir Hamilton Seymour, his
minister at Vienna acas holding language Of a
totally different character TO the imperial court.
Indeed, the documents published by the British
government have enabled more than one of the
continental cabinets to correct its estimate oil
the sincerity and good faith of Russian diplo.
macy in its intercourse with the rest of Europe.
With reference to the last communication al
| legged to have been made by the Emperor OF
Russia to the court of Prussia, we can only re.
mark, that if it were sincere, and if it had been
made when Count Orlof proceeded TO Vienna,
it might have contributed to the restoration oil
peace, but taken in conjunction with the events
now occurring in the east, it can only be re-
garded as fresh attempt to impose on the
credulity of the King of Prussia.
Another cause which gives a still stronger
and more pressing impulse TO the policy of the
German cabinets is the decided advance oil
the Russian forces on the lower Danube. II
is now beyond all doubt that the mouths Of
that great European river are completely held
by the Russians. The St Georges mouth has
been rendered impossible; the Sulina mouth
is barricaded by chain, in addition to the bar
| of mud or sand which the Russians have al
lowed to accumulate; and the occupation oil
the forts on the right bank is evidently intend,
ed to secure to Russia an absolute command OF
the river. The angle or delta of the Danube
from Czernawoda to Galatz, and along the
| shore of Bessarabia to the sea, was defended
on the river side by the forts. of Hirsova, Mat
schn, Isaktcha, and Tultscha; and all these
points seem to have been taken or invested by
the Russians between the 23d and the 18th OF
March. They crossed the Danube in three or
four divisions, at or opposite Braiow, Gala'z.
and Ismail, on bridges formed at these differ
ent points upon RATS moored in thestream, the
whole operation being under the immediate
command Of General Luders, acting under the
orders of Prince Gortschakoff and General
Schilder. At Matschin the Russians suffered
some loss by the fire from the Turkish bate.
ries; but the Turks are stated to have evacu.
ated their entertainments in the ensuing night.
At Galatz, General Luders crossed in person,
without opposition, at the head of thirteen bat,
talions. General Outschakoff encountered
more vigorous resistance in his passage from
Ismail to Tultscha, where the troops had to
land under fire, and the Turkish intrenchments
on the right bank we're taken by assault, with
considerable loss. Tutscha is not in con-
dition to offer long resistance, for the fort,
which existed there till 1922 was destroyed BY
the Russians at the close OF the last war, and
the works which have been reconstructed are
less favoraby situated towards the river. Mat
schin and lsaktcha might have required more
regular operations; but they, too, seem to have
fallen, and they were too small and unimport
ant to offer any serious obstacles to the advance
Of large army The loss of Hirsova has yet
to be explained; but it seems clear that the
whole of the Dobrudscha including the post OF
Babadagh, is in possession OF the Russians,
who have probably before this assailed the
dixie or wall Of Trajan, and may proceed, if
successful there, to lay siege to Silistria itself
The distance from the passage Of the Danube
to Karasu, at the centre of the Trajan's lines,
is only seventy-two miles, and from Karasu to
Silistria about fifty more.
If the left wing Of the Russian army succeeds
in turning Silistria, they will materially facili.
tate the crossing of the river by the centre Of
the army at Turtukai, because the Turkish po-
sition may be assaled from two sides at once.