The Lyttelton Times. Wednesday.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 241, 21 February 1855, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times.

Wednesday.

February 21,1855. By the William Hyde from Tasmania, we have received a supplement Extraordinary of the Hobarton Mercury, dated 6th Feb., by which we have news from England up to the 29th November which consists chiefly of details of the accounts already received. The loss incurred by the sortie of the Russians, seems to have fallen chiefly upon the English. The enemy took posses-

sion of a redoubt occupied by the Turks, but were driven out of it again by the Allies. " The following important intelligence Aye extract from the 'Age " (Melbourne) of Wednesday last. ""It will be seen that the English papers, particularly the London " Times," received up to the 12th November, write in full cognizance of the difficulties before the allied army; that the brave people will be able to overcome them, and come successful out of the herculean duty before them, in the Crimea, is our earnest hope ; but we fear that the policy of Prussia and Austria, and the German powers, will prove a sad impediment to the early adjustment of the Eastern question, which is desirable for the sake of humanity and civilization. The Paris correspondent of the " Times " very justly remarks, that the war only commences with our success in the Crimea. "PROGRESS OF THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL." Balaklava, Oct. 28. "The fire continues without any important results. Balaklava is being strengthened. Yesterday, the Russians made a sortie, but were repulsed with severe loss. The above was brought yesterday to Marseilles, by the Thabor (Daily news). She brings accounts to the 26th ult., and the report of General Canrobert of the days of the 25th and 26th. Intelligence from Constantinople of the 30th states that preparations were in progress for sending a numerous force to the Crimea and the Asiatic provinces. Reinforcements; were continually proceeding to the Anglo-French army. 400 Infantry and 600 Cavalry annihilated. (From the Times.) We have received from our correspondent at Marseilles the following despatch, which had reached that port by the French post steamer which left Constantinople'oh the 30th ult. " Your correspondent in the army before Sebastopol writes on the 28th, that 607 light infantry were engaged in the affair of the 25th, and that only 190 returned. 800 Cavalry were engaged, of whom only 200 returned. 79 officers were killed, 121 wounded, and four were missing. The 17th Lancers were almost destroyed. We require reinforcements." The Times remarks, "According to this account the surprise of the Turkish position had to be redeemed by the loss of 600 cavalry, and 400 light infantry. The loss of the cavalry must have fallen almost entirely on the English army. As to the light infantry, we are as yet uncertain whether in that quarter is comprehended any part of the casualties of our allies."

[By Magnetic Telegraph.] Mail Office, 2 p.m. The following despatch, dated Vienna, Friday evening, has reached the ''Times," which observes that it must be received with the greatest caution : — CZENORWITZ, NOV. 9. —A most violent attack has been made on Sebastopol. There is a conflagration in the town, which the garrison could not extinguish. Prince Menschikoff had demanded an armistrice of twelve hours' prorogation, which was refused. The Times has also received the following Vienna despatch, dated Friday morning;— According to authentic advices of the 28th ult., from Balaklava, a council of war was held on the preceding day, when it was resolved not to attempt to storm Sebastopol until the effect of the siege guns had been fairly tried. It is considered highly probable that a battle will be fought by the Russians under Liprandi before Sebastopol is stormed. The Russian reinfoicements are estimated at 40,000 men. The Paris correspondent of the Times says, that the two divisions of the French army which it is said, are to be sent to the Crimea, consist of 30,000 men. The most disheartening reports were in circulation, and the Times correspondent shows that not even the certainty of failure could justify the unmanly despondency which prevails. Saturday, Nov. 11, 1854. The latest intelligence from Sebastopol is satisfactory. It leaves no doubt as to the steady progress of the siege operations, and the ulli-

mate fate of the fortress. Every person engaged in the siege looks forward with confidence to its speedy surrender or total destruction. Nothing short of some great and unforseen disaster can save Sebastopol, and a very short time must put us in possession of some decisive character. But we cannot allow it to be forgotten that the war only commences with our success in the Crimea, and what this war will be, whether this will confine itself within its present limits, or extend itself into a European conflagration, no man alive can pretend to divine. Already we hear that the state of affairs on the Danube are beginning to assume a very unpromising aspect. We are in formed by the correspondent of the London Times, who writes from Constantinople that "ill-feeling between the Austrians and the Turks is becoming stronger daily ; that Austria has had at all times but one end in view — to emancipate herself from the pressure of a protection that was almost vassalage, and to extend her power in regions to which she has claims which, there is now an opportunity of asserting.'' The same writer states that the Austrian Emperor has no 'intention that the provinces: shall become an integral part of a new and regenerate; Ottoman State, and his own ambitious, views be checked for ever by treaties, having the sanction of XJnited Europe. And, it is: added, that Francis Joseph's object, above all, is- to extend his influence in the northern proyinces 'of Turkey, in accordance, with the hereditary/policy of his race. While these views aye developing themselves in the diplomatic world, the treatment ihe Turks are receiving from the Austrians is said to be similar to that which the Florentines and Milanese have borne for years. •-,-'"The'-'pro-clamation of Count Coronini," says our informant, '^ is well known, and was quickly resented by the Ottoman representative Dervish Pacha, who is himself not the mildest of mankind.- A few years ago, Dervish was concerned iii the settlement of the Turco-Persianaffair. The question was one of evidence and tradition, but the Turkish Commissioner proceeded at once, to deal suurmariiy with the matter. He/Zseized on the territory of Kotur, drove out the Persians, and built a fort, thus nearly, bringing /the discussion, to/a hostile end. He flamed upiriimediately on reading the arrogant composition/of the Austrian General, and since then there has been a sharp interchange of diplomatic discourtesies which cannot but tend to. Widen the difference which exists between /the two natipus" Here we have a positive convulsion pre-demon-strated most intelligibly. ThepttomaHS sought the alliance'.,'o'f-Austria not as an arbitrary dictator, or to receive "the coarse military insolence which was the fashion throughout'._the Italian states." We always viewed the interference of Austria in the present contest, as one of the most deplorable/events that could have occurred ; and noW we/have the attention of the public most urgently directed to the critical position in which the whole Eastern question is involved. / A sheer accident may lead to an open rupture between the Turkish and the Austrian troops; andi.if Omer Pacha has really gone to Schumla with his army, his object must have been to avoid an occurrence which the absence of the allied forces so unhappily favoured. He may also have thought it prudent to place himself in a position to oppose the advance of ah Austrian force upon Constantinople. The diplomatists of Vienna may have intimidated the Sultan, and have hood-winked France and England ; but they will hardly succeed in eusnaringHbe great Turkish leader. The attention of this country, however, has been called to this fresh difficulty —and how are we to meet it ? Remonstrances may give us occupation in the winter; and we shall have no reason to be dissatisfied, if the whole of the impending difficulties should/be left, up to next spring, in the liands of our diplomatic agents. . , Should the winter pass off quietly on the Danube, Austria will have all her plans matured, and Will be fully prepared to take advantage of events. By the bold appeal to the patriotism of France and England, the allies may also be prepared for the worst. Apathy only can de-^ feat the Western Powers. We have only been playing the farce of War thus far. Our national pride only has been roused, and our enemies have yet to learn what the national strength and unflinching spirit of France and England really are. The affair of the Alma was little more than a garrison field day for the allies, and the siege of Sebastopol'.a sham fierht^ compared with that for which our foes must look, if England adapts itself to war, and France allows

her military genius to follow its natural bent. The alliance of these two nations has, doubtless, caused the large armaments we see all over the Continent; but now that Austria, Prussia, and the German States all have immense armies raised and ready for the field, how is a general collision to be prevented ? France is pushing forward troops to the east with becoming alacrity, and we are recruiting our army rapidly. This has been put off until now for a variety of prudential reasons ; but since the full* extent of our dangers have shown themselves, they have been followed up with energy ; and what-, ever else/the allied Governments may find necessaryto ..-/enable them to carry on the war—for war it is how—-must be conceded with the manly frankness which characterises the French and British people. England goes into the war with nearly double the population she had forty years ago, and with threefold the wealth and appliances for the transport and maintenance of her troops ; and with all these advantages once set in motion, what have we to fear beyond the dangers of apalhy and the wickedness of allowing the enemy time to gain advantages over us by numbers. The Vienne Presse learns from an authentic source that the siege works were so far advanced that on the Ist November the third parallel had been opened. It would; be completed in eight or ten days, when the further decisive operations would begin. Sebastopol had suffered considerably from the bombardment. All tlie streets were iii ruins, and the walls of the town in many places injured. Letters from Odessa, in the Lloyd of Vienna, give intelligence from, the Crimea up to the 26th ult., but contain nothing striking.. Many fugitives of the better class had arrived at Odessa from Sebastopol. Ten thousand Egyptians, chiefly cavalry, were expected in the Crimea, and Prince Menschikoff had therefore applied for a reinforcement of cavalry. ■■■■-■ The Moniteur of Wednesday gives the following extract from a letter from Constantinople, without date :—We left the bay of Kemish on.-, the evening of the 26th. The siege continued, the fire of the besieged had considerably slackened, and their aim was much more uncertain. It is thought at head-quarters that their artillerymen are becoming scarce^ and that it is the infantry which are handling the guns. We were to open a/trench oh the morrow at 400 metre s from the place.; / j "On the 25th, the Russians, to the number of 20,000, attacked our rear, which was defended by the Turks, and took' possession of the redoubt occupied by them. " The English commenced the attack, after sending, word 'to.General- Canrobert, who sent the second division and a squadron of chasseurs to their aid. Our cavalry with the English cavalry niade a brillr^nt; charge, in which for nearly five minutes a hand-to-hand fight with cold steel took place. The positions were retaken.. The English lost 124 men (del'escadron de la feme), who had recently arrived. In all, their losses amount to 400 men. Ours are not so great, but we have to deplore the death of two officers. "It is thought at head quarters that the assault will be attempted on Wednesday or Thursday (Ist or 2nd of November). The inhabitants are in want of water, and are much discouraged. The Berlin correspondent of the Times says: —" There are preliminary indications of what the Russian answer to the Prussian note will he. If Prussia will obtain an understanding from the Western Powers and Austria that they will not go in their demands beyond the four points, Russia will be willing to negotiate on that basis." Letters from Marseilles state that vast quantities Of provisions und stores were in course of embarkation at Toulon for the Criim a. Two batteries of artillery were expected lo reach Marseilles in a few days, which would be despatched to the East without delay. The "Salut Public," of Lyons, states that the example set by Miss Nightingale and the English ladies who are proceeding to the East to lender assistance to the victims of the war is about to be followed by two ladies of the city, Mine. Teillard and her sister, Mine. Anastasie Liuirencon, who left for Marseilles to embark on the humane mission. Both these ladies are in the enjoyment of independent foitunes, and there is little doubt that their example will be followed by other ladies in France. i A letter from Gahuz, of Oct. 24, stales thai the commander of the army of the Danube, Prince Gortschakoff, has given orders to stqp

the march ofthe troops, which were destined for the Crimea, in consequence of the preparations made by Omer Pasha to assume the offensive in Bessarabia. Acbmet Pasha has quitted Kay larasch with 10,000 men to join Sadie Pasha in Bulgaria. The " Independence Bel-re" quotes the following letter, dated from Hamburgh, the 3rd instant:—" We/have received to-day letters from St. Petersburgh of the 28th ult., stating that Count Nesselrode, in a despatch dated 22nd, had instructed Prince Gortschakoff to declare, in the name of the Emperor, to the Austrian Cabinet, that the advance and the concentration of a Russian army, near the frontiers of Galicia, should not be regarded as hostile acts; that the Emperor entertained no aggressive views against his former ally. Prince Gortschakoff was also directed to declare to ■Count Buol, or Vienna, that Russia having no intention to wage war upon Austria, had recommended her Generals to abstain from every aggressive act against that power. A letter from Bucharest of October 24tb, in the '■ Lloyd's," states that Omer Pasha has left that place to inspect the troops on the Lower Danube. Count Coronini, who was to proceed to Jassy, has arrived at Bucharest. Russian-columns are still proceeding to Ibrail. It is said that the Austrian garrison at Galatz is to be considerably reinforced. The Russians are collecting a quantity of pontoons at Reni, and the conclusion come to is, that they desire to effect a passage over the Danube. The following is an extract from a private letter from the Crimea, dated the 23rd:— "Polish deserters speak of serious dissensions existing in Sebastopol. The inhabitants, who Were unwilling/ to quit their houses, murmur, and excite the soldiers to discontent. They repeat to them incessantly that further resistance is useless, and they are actively seconded in this sort of propagaDdism by the Poles. A sort of military emeute has taken place. The provision shops and stores have been broken into and pillaged,-, particularly those where spirits were sold. A Zouave, who was made prisoner at the battle; of Alma, has availed himself Of this state Of things, and of the confusion which is the consequence, to escape. He has returned to head-quarters, and has brought valuable information, which is found to agree with that of the prisoners and deserters."