THE WAR IN THE CRIMEA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 309, 17 October 1855, Page 6

THE WAR IN THE CRIMEA.

The success of the expedition to Kertch deprives the Russians of their principal depots, as it was from Kertch in particular that they drew their most important supplies. They 'will now have to bring them along the impracticable route of Perekop. However difficult and uncertain that channel of supply may he, it is to be hoped that General Pelissier will find some means of stopping that up also. We have now the game in our own hands, and no terms of peace ought to be listened to from Russia until the French and English flags have floated on the towers of Sebastopol, if towers be still left standing when we get there. I venture to guess that we shall soon hear of some new advances on the part of Austria to enter into a " policy of action." Two or three days like those just recorded will do more than all our diplomatists put together have been able to do for years. Diplomacy is just now at a discount, and it is a good time to ask for leave of absence. We already hold in the Russian territory Eupaloria, Kamiefcb, and Balaklava, which the enemy will soon find so many Gibraltars, aud we are now at Kertch and Yenikale, which before long will he iv a position to defy any attempt to retake them. The Russian fla« has now disappeared from the last inland sea where it could yet float in safety, and our enemy has been forced to a new suicidal act; he had already destroyed his sailing navy with his own hands, and his steam force has perished by the same means. What does M. Drouyn de Lhuys now think of his proposition about ihe status flolant P According to letters from, Erzeroum General Williams was busy fortifying the city with earthworks, after the model which has proved so effective at Silistria and Sebastopol. General Williams is always on (he spot, distributing rewards and punishment Jo the workmen under him, who labour generally .with much good will. He is said to have introduced new feelings and hopes among the people. Before commencing the works he attended the Mijdlis or Provincial Council, having beforehand requested the attendance of the Christian notables. He then made a stirring appeal to _all classes, saying that he expected the Christian!1 as well as Mussulmans would show their patriotism, adding that he hoped to see the day wLen Christians would have the houour to fight for their country as

well as Mussulmans.: This speech produced a great effect; ihe Turks looked sullen, but the Armeniau bishop started up, and declared that he himself was ready to shoulder a musket, that he felt himself a man, and no longer a dog, after what the English Pasha had said, and that labour in abundance would he forthcoming. Since then crowds oi Armenians have come in with their spades and pickaxes, and have done good service. General Williams himself is constantly riding from one fort to another, and no ill-usage of the Christians can take place, as he has full authority over men of all religions. In the same province, however, there is the usual 'oppression, and the firmans relating to Christian evidence are totally disregarded. Every day cases occur in which tbe Armenian population are subjected to the'most flagrant injustice for want of Mussulman evidence. It is believed by the; Europeans iv those parts that the whole was intended as a blind lo the Western Powers, and that the new regulations were not intended to be carried out. They, indeed, never will be put in force until erery court has an European inspector, who will see that the Cadi not only receives the proper evidence, but decides accordingly. — Times' Correspondent.