Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-02-23
Foreign News.

Foreign News.
John Bull is patient, to a proverb of NAL
administration by his own officials. He starts
with an assumption in his mind, having the
force of first principle, that English Minis
tiers never blunder in their diplomacy, and
never lack in administrative power-than an
English General is always as competent as
an English soldier is brave But facts are
stubborn things. A few of them can be
pushed aside or rode over unseen, by one
who shuts his eyes. They may be so many
and so astounding, that no winking will keep
them out of sight. Tough as the old gen.
tleman's skin is, it can be rasped SO severely
that he is obliged to feel, and when once he
gets so far as to admit, square out, that his
officers are, after all, blockheads or worse, lie
is as resolute to condemn as before he was
obstinate to applaud.
The reckoning time for the mismanagement
at Sebastopol has come at last. The Aberdeen
ministry have gone by the board. Roebuck S
motion for an inquiry by II committee Of the
House of Commons, into the condition Of the
army and the conduct Of the depa rtments
who had charge of the war, could not be
STAYED off by any arguments that such a
measure would have a depressing effect at
home and abroad and would be embarrassing
to those who needed their time to act for the
war, rather than to answer questions about
it. The motion was carried by large majo-
rity and the ministry forthwith resigned.
Who are to constitute the new ministry is
not yet settled. The chief items Of news
from abroad are as follows 1t will be seen
that an extension of the war is portended
rather than a cessation oft
Great Britain.
On the evening of Monday, 3Oth. Mr.. Roe
buck motion resumed in the House of
Commons, namely That n seIoo. commit
tee be appointed to inquire into the condition
of the British army before Sebastopol, and
into the conduct of those departments of the
government whose duty it has been to admin
lister to the wants of that army
Messrs. Sta ford and Disraelli spoke, when
the House divided, 305 for the motion, lag
against it-majority against government,
l57 Whereupon the Ministry resigned.
Their resignation was accepted, and the
Aberdeen Cabinet only hold office until a new
Gun Do formed.
On the evening of Tuesday, the 30th, the
Queen sent for the Earl of Derby, the leader
IF the conservative party. On Wednesday,
Lord Derby waited on the Queen.
Both houses of Parliament adjourned from
Tuesday until Thursday. On re-assembling,
Lord Aberdeen briefly announced the resig-
nation. The Duke of Newcastle entered into
IN explanation in self-defence.
The Earl of Derby informed the House
hat he had been invited by the Queen to
orm Cabinet, but could not do so.
The friends of the Aberdeen ministry are
lead against Lord John Russell for breaking
up the coalition by his retirement. The
Queen is reported to have written him an
autograph letter censuring his conduct but
this is doubtful. No ministry has yet been
formed, and generally .horo ia somewhat Of
public anxiety.
The bill to give effect to the reciprocity
treaty was read second time IN Parliament.
The English Baltic feet is ordered to as
semble in the Downs ready for sea the first
week in March. Rumor says that Admirals
Seymour and Martin will command
Italy.
Numerous arrests have been made at
Florence, on the pretext of q revolutionary
having been discovered. Arrests
have also been made at Leghorn, cause of the
sale Of Mazzinian bonds.
Diplomacy.
There has been no fighting but some very
important diplomatic moves have taken
place.
Prussia checkmates Austria. In the ses-
sion of the General Committee of the Ger
manic Diet, Austria's proposition for gene
raj mobilization of the whole Federal army
has been rejected, and Prussia's proposal to
place the contingents only on a war footing,
is carried against Austria. Much anxiety is
felt as to what course Austria will pursue
under this check, which prevents the Empe-
Tor of Austria having, as he expected, the
command of the Federal army. Probably no
step will be taken until after the formation
of the new British Ministry.
The intelligence of this Austrian defeat
caused dullness in the funds.
An important despatch from Berlin dated
3Ist, says. " The Prussian Government has
decreed an immediate mobilization of its own
army. The fourth and fifth army corps are
ordered to occupy the provinces of Saxony and
Silesia.''
The demand of France, that a portion of
the French army be allowed to pass through
Prussian Territory, is categorically refused.
Denmark has appointed military commits
sion to place all the forts in tho kingdom in
a state of defence.
Treaties between France, England and Sar-
DINA are published. Sardinia engages to
send in English ships Is 900 men to the Cri-
mea, under the command offs Sandman Gen
eral. England agrees to lend Sardinia El,-
900 900 or double that sum if wanted, at 3
per cent. France and England guarantee to
protect Sardinia during the present war.
French army has been detailed in aid Of
Austria, and it will march through Lombar-
dy, to prove to the Italians the reality of the
Austro-French alliance.
The Turkish Ambassador at Vienna had
received plenipotentiary powers, in order that
he may attend the conference.
THE WAR
SEBAsToPoL, Jan. ll.-Quantities of warm
clothing were received in camp, but more are
wanted. The French are assisting the Brit
ish to build huts and stables. There is much
bling among the British officers at the
alleged injustice and partiality of the recent
brevet,
Jan. l3-The Russians celebrated their
New Years day with apparent gaiety within
the city. At midnight all the chapel bells
were ringing and at | o'clock in the morning
the Russians within their lines commenced
cheering The French taking it as an insult,
opened fire upon the town. The Russians
Immediately replied along their whole front
OF defence, by the fercest cannonade yet ex-
perienced. The earth-works flashed forth
uninterrupted flame, rapid and unbroken as
file firing Ii showed the works swarming
with men. Under cover Of the strong fire, a
strong party of the Russians made al attack,
capturing British vidette and driving in the
covering party on the front and flank of the
British line OF attack but on being engaged
they retired towards the town. Simultane-
ously with the attack upon the British,
strong sortie was made against the French,
when the Russians penetrated within the par
apet aud spiked three mor;ars. The French
rallied and drove them back within the lines
OF their advance. At daybreak the batteries
were all quiet.
Jan. l4.-Thc sanitary condition of the
British army Is improving. The Turks still
suffer fearfully y, apparently from plague. The
establishment of central depot for provis-
ions has much relieved the suffering of the
army.