ENGLISH NEWS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 150, 27 November 1863, Page 3

ENGLISH NEWS.

' I# OCTOBER 3. generalWmmahy. [From the Home News], The Polish question has entered a new phase. Russia has declared that while she generally recognizes the six points, she will not enter upon the amelioration of Poland till the insurrection shall have been suppressed. Such is in brief the substance of the answers which have been received to the last despatches of Austria, France, and England. Prince Gortschakoff in the frankest manner possible avows the policy of Russia. Ne- • , gotiation is at an end. There are various speculations afloat as to the probable solution of the situation. The only incident that really justifies a speculation of any kind is the publication in the Moniieur of the elaborate manifesto recently issued by the Polish Rational Committee, in which they supply a categorical answer to the statements in Prince Gortschakotf’s previous despatches, demand from other countries recognition as belligerents, and to announce their inflexible determination to fight to the last. The appearance of this remarkable document in the French official organ, is, not unreasonably, regarded as an adoption, in some sort, by the French Government of the ease, or cause, of the Poles ; and there is no doubt that, for whatever so unui sual a proceeding may be worth, it has raised i expectations which ought not to have been evoked, | unless something more than mere paper declations were intended to follow. With this single 1 exception, we know of no authentic data upon which it would be safe to build a conjecture as to what course is, or is not, likely to be taken by the Cabinets to whose hands the issues are confided.

That the door of diplomacy has been shut by Prince Gortschakoff—rather abruptly, too, in the face of the other powers—is certain. The ground upon which he stands is plain enough ; he maintains that at the time of the treaty of 1815, R ussia held Poland by right of conquest; and the constitutional guarantees inserted in the treaty ■were not imposed upon the Emperor Alexander, but were -voluntarily granted by him ; and that the powers have uo right of interference whatever, either under the treaty or otherwise. He, therefore, puts an end to the discussion, and, in effect, dismisses his correspondents with a broad hint to mind their own affairs. The intimation that Russia is prepared to abide the responsibility of this ■view of the subject, has, at least, the merit of leaving nothing in obscurity. The other powers cannot complain of ambiguity on the part of the Russian minister. The Poles are prosecuting their struggle in the face of difficulties which, unless aid comes soon, must, to all appearance, overwhelm them. The policy of Russia is clearly to destroy the revolution by protracting it over the winter. In the inclement season, when the naked forests can no longer afford shelter and security to the insurgents, when food will be scarce, and the means of supporting roving bands will be reduced to starving point, it is easy to anticipate the result of a conilict waged on such unequal terms. Ranging the elements on her side, while Europe looks on motionless, Russia cun hardly fail to crush out the last drop of the national blood. But it is to be hoped in the interests of humanity, that some means will be found for bringing this ghastly contest to an end. It is rumored in political circles that a new'ground of interference may be opened by the three Powers, and that although they may not declare war as a necessary consequence of the failure of their negotiations, they may decide upon ot'rnr measures pretty nearly equivalent. At all events, it is not to be credited that England, France, and Austria will permit Russia to annihilate with impunity an entire people in the heart of civilized Europe. There is always a resource in the eleventh hour. Ministers, who have pledged themselves to a particular course, have it always in their power to create an opportunity for the country to revise their policy.

People at a distance from the scene of conflict in America are apt to suppose, when an astounding piece of news comes in, that the war is approaching the beginning of the end. But this expectation has been so often Sisappointed, that we doubt whether the fall of Fort Sumter, and the shelling of Charleston with Greek fire, are likely to bring us a step nearer to the close than we were before. It appears indeed, that the Federals have by far the best of the situation ; and that, with the exception of Lee’s army on the Potomac, which is expected every hour to make a swoop upon Washington, the Confederates are very nearly reduced to extremity. The facts about Fort Sumter are striking. It. was bombarded for seven days by a battery of Parrot guns, which poured in 4,500 shots at the unprecedented distaneeof 2| miles, 3,623 of which took effect. If this statement be correct, America has discovered a power in projectiles utterly unknown to science elsewhere. The conduct of the Federal general with reference to Charleston is condemned on all hands. Without allowing sufficient time for non-combatants to leave the city, he flung Greek fire into the midst of the populous streets, an agent which, to quote an American paper, civilization amongst Christian nations has hitherto refrained from employing even in the most bloody campaigns. Yet this barbarous proceeding, tins veritable feu d'enfer did not shake the constancy of Beauregard and the devoted garrison. Not a man flinched from his post, and, although 42 Federal vessels, including Monitors, had advanced inside, or close to, the bar, the Confederates maintained that they could hold the city against any force the enemy could collect. How far this confident declaration is well founded remains to be seen ; but even if Charleston fall, the Federals will not be much nearer to the conquest of the South.

Of Lee’s position all that is known is that he ■was at Culpepper Court-house on the 26th of August with 60,000 men, and that Longstreet and Stuart, each with large forces at their disposal, held Fredericksburg and the fords of the Rappahannock. The general belief was that Lee was pasturing s plan for attacking Washington, and

the whole employment of thearmyunderMeadewas to watch, and, if possible, frustrate his movements. The approach of winter will probably congeal the heroism of both armies.

In the South there are unmistakeable symptoms of distress. The wonder is how so small a white population, not exceeding a million, could have maintained the war up to this time. The pressure has now come with such urgency as to work a revolution in the whole system. The conscription of all men bet ween sixteen and sixty has been rigorously enforced ; but even this is not enough President Davis has found it necessary to resort to some other means. He has determined to call out an army of half a million of slaves, promising to them their freedom at the end of the war, and a grant of fifty acres of land per head. Nobody doubted that the war would eventually lead to the extinction of slavery ; but who imagined that the extinction would begin in this shape ? The Federals, elated with recent successes threaten offensive measures on all sides. A war with France on account of Mexico, is openly discussed, and in the same breath Canada is threatened. The Federals calculate upon crushing the rebellion out of hand, and believe themselves strong enough to embark in a war with England and Franco immediately afterwards! In the meanwhile the army of the South is moving out of New Orleans in the direction of Texas, and the progress of the Federal arms in Tennesse is checked by the resignation of Burnside.

A curious circumstance connected with this American war has occasioned some amusement in London. Mr. Mason, the Confederate Commissioner, has been ordered by his “ government” to withdraw from England, and has withdrawn in consequence. In communicating this determination to Earl Russell, Mr. Mason informs his lordship that, the English Government haring declined the overtures made for establishing friendly relations between the two governments, it was considered no longer conducive to the interests, or consistent with the diginity of the Confederate government, that its representative should remain in Loudon. The representative has accordingly withdrawn. The grotesque absurdity of this proceeding is as obvious as its impolicy. At the bottom of the affair we believe there is a little foolish offended pride. Mr. Slidell has never been officially recognised in France ; but ho has been personally received with some marks of consideration. Mr. Mason on the contrary was admitted only once to an interview' with Earl Russell, and his communications have not elicited the kind of replies which satisfied his own estimate of the attention to which he was entitled. The original mistake was in sending these gentlemen to Europe. Jefferson Davis would have been in a much better position lor opening relations with England and France hereafter had he kept them at home.

The report of an offensive and defensive alliance having been entered into by Sweden and Denmark has not been confirmed, but there seems to be no doubt that the Scandinavian Powers, have conic to a clear understanding on the subject. Should the threatened occupation of Holstein be attempted to be carried into effect, Sweden will be prepared to cross the Straits with a force of 30,000 men. It is confidently asserted that Federal execution has not only been determined upon, but that it is to be put info effect immediately. The Gemanic Confederation is usually so torpid in its movements that one is apt to think its bark'worse than its bite ; but upon tin's occasion its intentions are put forward with such unusual pressure, that we have no excuse for incredulity. Denmark is equally determined on her side ; so that- there is every chance of a little war in a corner of Europe about a little matter that nobody seems to understand.

The Frankfort Congress having closed its sittings, transmitted to the King of Prussia a full statement of the reforms they have agreed to, signed by each of the assenting sovereigns. To this communication the King lias replied by rejecting the whole of the reforms, demanding a perfect equality between Austria and Prussia, llis Majesty lias also dissolved his Parliament, on the ground that the last Parliament, did not represent the “ Liberal” principles of the people !

If the last on dit is to bo credited, the Archduke Maximilian lias resolved to accept the throne of Mexico. With this news comes the intelligence to the effect that France is negoeiating for recognition with the Confederates, who are ready in their turn to support France in Mexico, while the Federals and the Ministers of Central America, protesting against the French occupation, are preparing for hostilities, in which they are to be joined in alliance with Juarez. Hero is an cmbroglio complicated enough to throw the Southern continent into convulsions for the next twelve months.

The harvest of the present season in England is of unexampled abundance. Xo farmer now living can recall so prolific a yield of wheat. The whole crop has been estimated at eight millions of quarters, which is an advance of about 25 per cent, upon our average year. Barley and oats are equally plentiful, and equally excellent in quality. This description applies only to England, for in Scotland and Ireland the prospect docs not exceed the average. Even in England, there are variations. A considerable part of the crop has been secured in the southern counties, but in the north farming operations are later. To the fine warm weather, of which we have had so long a continuance, the splendour of the crops must be mainly attributed ; but during the last few days there have been some heavy falls of rain which have occasioned some uneasiness in those districts where the harvest is yet backward. Making all allowances for these circumstances, enough remains behind for thankfulness and congratulation.

The British Association has just been holding one of its most successful meetings at Xcwcastlc-upon-Tyne, under the presidentship of Sir William Armstrong. On few occasions have the labours of the sections been so agreeably diversified by excursions and entertainments, and, although the attendance has been unusually numerous, the hospitality of Newcastle has found ample accommodation for them all. The sections have been

occupied by a more than ordinary variety of papers, including most current subjects of interest, some of a highly scientific character, and, as usual, not a few of a trivial or trite description. Amongst the amusements, not wholly unconnected with the final aims of the association, may be mentioned a scientific ascent in a balloon, followed by a lecture ; and practical illustrations by Sir William Armstrong of the power of his 12-pounder breechloading and shunt guns. The week was gaily wound up by a regatta. The meeting of next year, fixed for the month of September, is to be held at Bath, and Sir Chas. Lyell is to be (he President.

This being the Parliamentary interregnum the usual gatherings m the provinces have, according to custom, brought many members of the Lower House face to face with their constituents. The speeches delivered on these occasions aro spun upon so familiar a pattern that they do not require to be chronicled in much detail. But it is worth while to observe generally that they express confideueeinthe present administration, and evince adisposition to supportllinisters in the maintenance of neutrality with respect to America, and do not' exhibit any very earnest desire to involve the country in a war for the of Poland. It may be noted that the war feeling has risen very palpably since the receipt of Prince Cfortschakolf’s last answers, and that if occasion should really demand it, there would bo no great opposition to a move strenuous demonstration than that of mere remonstrance against the barbai-ities and bad faith of Russia.