RUSSIAN INTRIGUES IN THE PERSIAN GULF.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 292, 18 August 1855, Page 3

RUSSIAN INTRIGUES IN THE PERSIAN GULF.

An Indian paper directs attention to accounts that are communicated by its correspondents relative to the progress of Russian intrigue on the Persian frontier of India. After enumerating

some movements of a less important character, he says—" Our friend the Mirza goes on to inform us, that the roads for miles around Bagdad are in a very unsafe state. Everywhere infested with Arab malcontents, who stimulated by Russian intrigue, avail themselves of every opportunity to strike some blow at the Turkish Government. And at Karrac lately, where the Turks have a custom-house, they assembled and drove them from it, killing three of their soldiers. Much worse than this took place at Abba Yuseff, where they not only refused to pay tribute, but met and slew two hundred and fifty of the irregular infantry dispatched by the Governor at Bassora, to enforce it. But the most important fact with which he acquaints us is, that there is a large Russian army encamped within seven days' march of Bagdad.— From Busline, our letter bearing date March 16th, informs us that a report is very rife in the Bazaar, to the effect that the English flag bad been pulled down at Teheran. We only give it as Bazaar talk ; but coupled with the certainty that tbe Persians have for some time been strengthening Bushire, and sending over large forces to Karrac: and that they are daily expecting from Shire*, an augmentation of three thousand troops, one of which is to be dispatched to Karrac, one to garrison Bushire, and the third to be.stationed on a low sandy island in the vicinity ; the rumour is indeed ominous. We are most positively informed that our coming struggle with them, is ever uppermost in their thoughts, and foremost from their lips. That they never meet in their streets that they do not canvas our strength, or congregate at their coffee clubs, that they do not talk over Russian prowess; and the report, that for long has been floating in their bazaar, that.is renewed by every car.ivan that arrives, and is credited throughout the.whol. of Persia, and that owes its.origin to the Russian Embassy at Teheran, that four bandied thousand Cossacks will shortly pass through Persia on their way.to the invasion of India, only fires more their street converse, and gives an impetus to their coffee club discussions, All at present is quiet, hut like the calm before, the storm, that quiet portends much, and we would naturally ask, is our Gulf Squadron in. anything like -inoffensive condition? What say you, Sir Henvy Leeke ; you sir, who have done so much for the Indian navy; so much that no one can say where it begins, and where it ends; since it hath no beginning, and consequently no. ending ; what say you to our question, whether your squadron there is in an offensive condition ? Aye, modesty is. ever silent! so thou answerest us not; but we will tell thee. No!.nor defensive. Your Comirodore's ship, the old Clive, has been detained there so long that she is almost in the same enviable condition as the Hastings was before the gale took compassion on her. Alow and aloft she is rotten ; running gear and fighting gear, all, all is rotten ; save her appearance, which is yacht like; for never looked she otherwise, while Commodore R-ibinson commanded her. Your Tigris, is leaky, topsides and bottom, decks, and everywhere else; and sincerely we pity the poor devils who have to contend with a gale of _wind in her. Why, in these uncertain times, is your Persian Gulf Squadron not seaworth v ?— lndian Paper.