AUSTRIA AND THE WESTERN POWERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 247, 14 March 1855, Page 10 (Supplement)

AUSTRIA AND THE WESTERN POWERS.

On the 2nd of December "a treaty of alliance was signed at Bremen between Austria and the "Western Powers. It is hoped that Austria brings with her the whole moral and physical weight of Germany. j| Prince Gortschakbff has officially notified to the Austrian cabinet-the Czar's readiness to negotiate on the following terms: — " First, a common guarantee by the five powers of the rights ofthe Christian subjects of the Porte, without distinction as to confession. Second, a common protectorate of the Principalities, to be exercised by the five powers on the terms of the treaties now existing between Russia and the Porte. Third, a revision of the treaty of 1841. Fourth, the free navigation of the Danube." These conditions are widely different in reality from, though imitating in form, the' four bases required as starting "points by M. Drouyn de Lhuy's note of the Bth' August. From this, it would appear that the Czar is beginning to feel uneasy, and that he is now more inclined to negotiate. "Il was" riotexpected, that, hostilities' would be ded on the part of the Allies.

In confirming the intelligence of the battle of Inker-mane General Canrobert states that the battle was most obstinate and bloody, and that the Russian loss was enormous. The Spring.Campaign in the Baltic.— The Commander-in-Chief has issued the necessary instructions for the formation of a camp at Aldershot early in the ensuing year: the number of men to be assembled is 10,000, in the first instance, the principal of whom will form the advanced guard of the military force destined for the Baltic. The Board of Ordnance have already completed the necessary contracts fbr^the

construction of magazines, &c. The troops will begin to take up their positions early in March. The following gun-boats are novy being built for the Admiralty ;—- Lark, Magpie, Grinder, Boxer, Biter, Skylark, Jasper, Clicker, Jackdaw, Cracker, Stork, Hind, Fanny, Swinger, Starling, Dapper, Snap, Thistle, Redwing, and Weasel. They; are all progressing rapidly, and will be ready for launching about the: huddle of January ; each will carry two. Lancaster guns. In addition to the above, the following mortar vessels are also being built by the command of the Admiralty, and will be ready for service early in the spring, namely :—the Mastiff, Porpoise, Manly, fitafdy, Growler, Lively; Blazer, Havoc, Flaraer, arid Firm. The New Floating Batteries.—Respecting the floating batteries for the Baltic, and the massive shot proof iron plates for them-, now in course of manufacture,the North British Daily Mail says ;—" At the Lancefield forge here several tons have already been finished and sent off, and aboiit twenty tons a week will be Report says that at least six such vessels are to be prepared for the attack upon Cronstadt ,by the spring of 1855."" Our readers will recollect the description of steamer that has been invented by Mr. George Mills. The primary object Mr. Mills had in view when be designed this vessel was that of introducing something new in the way of steam navigation on the Clyde. On laying it, however^ before some eminent and experienced naval architects, so far back as last winter, those gentleman requested Mr. Mills speefUlyto bringit before the notice of the Government, as a design not merely for a mercantile passage steamer, but for a gun boat or floating battery. This recommendation that gentleman at once, adopted, and the result was that during the month of April last, elaborate drawings of a floating battery on his new principle, 300 feet in length, with breadth and depth in proportion, were drawn outj at great trouble and expence, by Mr. Mills, and forwarded to the Admiralty, accompanied with full written descriptions. They met the highest consideration on the pait of the Government, and an emineut engineer in London, to whom they were primarily sent, approved of them, and forwarded them to the Admiralty, with the weight of his; name aud recommendation. The following Is a short account of this floating and steam manoeuveiing and propelling gun battery '■'■^~Mti Mill's floating bsitteiwwaspropbf^iCtirbe' 300 feet long by about ]00 feet.broad, and to have three tiers of guns, presenting an armanent of double, the weight of the largest ship of the line. The propelling paddle worked in the space between the two hulls, where it could be rendered completely secure from shot. 1 here was a propeller at each end to manoeuvre the vessel and turn her about. Either end could be made the stem, so that there would be no necessity for turning her. The line upon which she was designed would give her great speed in proportion to power; and with sucli an enormous armament, all her stores, fuel, crew; &c, on board this floating battery would only draw 15 feet of water, or about half the draught ofthe Duke of Wellington. It was to be built of iron and wood in any way that would be found most serviceable."