Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-12-02
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
FROM oURL OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
LONDON. NOVEMBER II. 1854.

The position of PRUSSIA is the subject next to the
siege of Sebastopol, which is now exciting the most
interest At the commencement of hostihties be-
tween the Western Powers and Russia it was I'M
doubtedly the true policy of Prussia to maintain
strict neutrality. She, in reality, had nothing to
care about in respect to either the Bosphorus the
Crimea. So long as the dispute was purely 0rien-
tai, Prussia joined in the diplomacy merely for form
sake, certainly with leaning toward Russia and
with intent to the Gar, 50 far could be
done without compromising her neutrality Prus-
sa wished also TO neutraze Austria, to parayze the
war and to keep her place in the great councils of
Europe But now the position of Prussia is altogether
changed The question longer the Russian occupa-
ton Of there is aarge Russian army
the borders of Galic and orders have been issued
from the highest quarters raise the strength all
the Austrian army corps that yet remain q peace
footing The fuflment of these orders will raise each
company, which consists Of $50 men, to 21S. Prus'
sia may well ask herself, "what does this meany Is
the about to be moved from the Bosphorus to the
Vstula ~ If so, Prussia cannot be either Indifferent or
neutral in the business The monarch has summoned his
brother and successor the Prince of Prussia to his coun
ellis said that he advises the alliance of the West
to be frankly accepted in order not merely to destroy
Russian supremacy in the Levant, but to destroy Rus
sian influence in Germany
The Dict Of the German Confederation met at Frank
forton thc-Mane yesterday and would Immediately oc
cupy itself with the question The Austrian insruc-
tons the Envoy of the Austrian Empire at Frankfort
were submitted the Court Of Berlin and it is said they
were agreed to by Prussia and that all differences
snloothed, and joint demand will be made upon the
body the Diet by the great Powers All the smaller
German States are engaged in putting their armies on
war footing though it were already decided that the
whole German nation would adhere to Ausrias policy
The Gear appears to be Of this and is making pre-
paratons guard against any possible coalitions and
combinations Peace does not, from appearances, seem
to enter into his calculations. Instructions have been
given The officials of the Governments conterminous
with Austria to have their archives ready for removal to
the Interior and after that withdraw themselves to-
gether with the army, in of invasion Russia is
to maintain strictly defensive system of warfare. The
Cologne Gazette, however, says "Russa has not the
slightest intention of accepting any conditions Of peace
that likely be proposed and at her good tmc
she will throw of this defensive position for she is con-
stantly creating fresh ornaments in hitherto
unexau pied"
This bringing the war into the heart Of Europe this
rnarshal!ing England, France, Austria, and Prussia
against Russia is reversing the former order of things
Then AUSTRIA England Prussia, and Russia we're arrayed
against France and the powerful mind that then welded
the destnes Of that latter Power found in the mighty
combination formed against him plenty to do NICHOLAS
is not however, NAPOLEON, and we think if such an al
lance is said to be in contemplation be really
formed the contest may be long and fearful but the issue
cannot be doubtful.
There is however, plenty of work yet to be done in the
Criea before the Russian forces made to succumb
Unfortunately without the materials for max
ing estimate of the Russian force in the Crmea
The Times few days ago stated that the Russian army
Il. .t. :. $50 60. -
amounted to so 600 men; other statements reduce the
number 000 The Times states the number of Allied
troops to be also 10000, being the number which
originally landed there But the relative proportions Of
the respective contngents materially changed The
French dsembarked 25 900 men; they have now, owing
to their powerful reinforcenents $4,000 whereas the
British can only 20 900 out of the "a 900 which
they landed full 1000 having been placed hors de combat
About eighty fall from the British ranks daily but
of these few killed and comparatively few wounded:
sickness deadly enemy than the Russian bullets
We abiding the siege operations the battles
of Alma and Balakava and the great combat on the 9th
form another and terrible calculation Considerable
renorcements have been sent to Lord RAGLAN OF which
1900 have probably joined him before this date aud
more men starting every day. We believe we may
confidently state that it has been arranged for $4,000
men to be Immediately sent from France the Crmea,
aid in the transport of these troops that the Pennsuar
and Oriental Company have received orders to prepare
some Of their largest steamers We Of opinion that,
independent of men, and respects the naat of war,
neither side has much to boast Of OF present In the
FIRST place. many of the guns Of the Allies have become
very shGy accident and from very hard and severe
service and twice both French and English have
found themselves with shorter stock of ammunition
than was comfortable. renee Of this position,
however has been amply guarded against and the
supply of powder and every kind Of missile is now very
great As respects the Russians the walls of Sebastopo
in terribly shattered state tits said that concen-
trated attack upon many parts Of them would make
breach in few hours sufficient for the purpose Of very
probable successful assaults and represents the
supply of gunpowder being very short much Of that
which they have being very much mixed with sand by
the fraud of the contractors 1t also stated that the
Russian guns manned by infantry soldiers, in
that the fire from the forts becoming comparative
Iy slack and unsteady but the other sde we are
afraid that the English besegng troops becoming
very exhausted and feeble, through longconnued
zion exposure In these circumstances the casualties
inseparabe from an assault with view to take Sebas
topol by Storm might render the Allied army unable to
profit by its capture The taking OF sebasopol, how
ever dazzling exploit it might be, would have no in
trinsic value if not made stepping stone to more i'm
portant victories beyond The Allied army must be kept
in condition TO profit by the fall Of Sebastopol that
victory would be comparatively worthless.
The market although not dearer yesterday still
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