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[From the London correspondent of the Sydney Morniny Herald.]
London, July 19th, 1855.
Friday week, Lord John Russell made some astounding revelations in the House of Commons. In answer to a question put by Mr. M. Gibson, Lord John declared' that, when Ambassador Extraordinary at Vienna, he privately concurred with Austria, that her proposal of compromise on the third point was satisfactory to .his mind. The proposals of Austria, to which Lord John personally assented, and of which he yet approves, were, that France, England, and Austria, should alone be entitled to send ships of war into the Black Sea, from which Russia would be excluded, so long as she held establishments in that sea ; that these powers should be allowed always to have a cumulo preponderance in ships of war, and that they should enter into a joint treaty to preserve the integrity of Turkey by land. Lord John " does not believe that Russia would have consented to these terms ; nor does he say they would, if accepted, have ensured a certainty of peace; but that they wonld have given a very fair prospect of the duration of peace." Well ! Lord John Russell came home, and laid his views before tbe Cabinet. Everything he stated had due weight given to it, and was fairly balanced against the disadvantages of snch a peace; and having deliberated, the Cabinet came to the conclusion that the terms proposed did not hold out any safe basis for the termination of hostilities, and they were consequently rejected. It will be remembered that the French Plenipotentiary returned to Paris holding precisely the same favourable views of the Austrian propositions with which Lord John Russell came back to London. They both recommended peace on tbe basis proposed by Count Buol. The Emperor of the French, like the British Cabinet, differed from his plenipotentiary, and M. Drouhyn de Llhuys at once retired, like an honourable man. What does Lord John? When his colleagues reject his advice, does he quit their councils, and refuse to act against his conscience ? Nothing of the sort. He retains his place, and not only that—when pressed by Parliament to give some account of his mission, he conceals the true state of the case, and launches forth into some high-flown declamation against the overweening ambition of Russia, urging the country to prosecute " with the utmost vigour" that murderous warfare, the justice of which he privately deprecates. Well might Mr. Cobden and Mr. Roebuck condemn his exhibition of political immorality, and well might Mr. Disraeli ask what hope there was of obtaining either a satisfactory peace or prosecuting a snecesa fol war, if in the recesses of the Cabinet such contending elements prevailed. We can no -longer look to Austria for aid. Count Buol already claims exemption from any further interference in the Eastern question, on the the ground that his Government bad submitted a plan for the honourable settlement of the dispute with Russia, which bad received the full approbation of tbe British plenipotentiary. She can tarn upon us, and point to Lord John Russell as a proof of the untenability of our position ; she can point to her last proposition as a lost opportunity for the solution of the difficulty — a proposition, it is true, agreed to by our envoy, but one which would have sown dissensions among the allies, and compromised the honour of this country, and yet not have bound Austria to regard its infraction a casus belli. It is high time that the country put an end to the ambiguous language and uncertain conduct of our Government; and, in truth, a crisis seems approaching which threatens the downfall of the Palmerston cabinet. Immediately after Lord John's explanation, Sir E. Bulwer Lytton gave notice of the following vote of censure :—" That tbe conduct of our Minister at tbe recent negotiations at Vienna, 'in the opinion of this house, has shaken the confidence of the conntry in those to whom its affairs are entrusted." In anticipation of the certain decision of the House of Commons, Lord John Russell resigned on the 14th instant. At first, Lord Palmerston declined to accept his resignation, but nearly all tbe members of tbe Government not in the Cabinet having made known to the Premier their inability to vote against Sir E. B. Lyt ton's motion, all doubts as to tbe result of the impending division were removed, and Lord John Russell's resignation accepted. The Colonial Secretaryship is again vacant — for the sixth time, we beleive, in three years; and Sir William Molesworth is mentioned as likely to succeed to the office. As Lord John has resigned, it is now doubtful whether the resolution proposed by Sir E. B. Lytton will be carried— the division, however, is sure to be a very close one. Mr. Roebuck, too, will run the ministry close when he brings forward his vote of censure relative to the Crimean expedition. — The Scotch Education Bill has only passed tbe Commons by a majority of 15. — The Queen has confirmed the appointment of Viscount Canning to the GovernorGeneralship of India. There are, consequently, two Cabinet seats vacant, a vacancy having occurred in the representation of Cheltenham in consequence of the death of Mr. Craven Berkeley. Mr. Grenville Berkeley, M.P. for Evesham, applied for the stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds, in order to start for Cheltenham, where he has since been elected. Mr. Holland (Whig) has been returned, unopposed, for Evesham. — The obituary includes the Marquis of Thomond; Sir Robert Abercromby, Bart.; Mr. Philip Pusey, the eminent agriculturist, and formerly M.P. for Berks ; and Rear- Admiral Sir Edward Parry, the celebrated artic navigator. Many persons recollect the enthusiasm that hailed ' Parry's return in November, 1820, after he had penetrated to longitude 113*54*43 W. within tbe arctic circle, and thus earned tbe Parliamentary reward of £5,000. Admiral Sir J. A. Ommanney, X.C.8., is also deceased. — Messrs. Strahan, Paul, and Bates, tbe bankrupt bankers, have been again examined at Bow.atreet, in the course of last week, and further remanded. — A discreditable disturbance took place in the metropolis on Sunday week, originating in the irritation caused by the alleged misconduct of the police in Hyde Park on the Sunday before. The Park was densely crowded during the whole of the day, and various demagogic orators took the opportunity of haranguing the mob upon divers grievances, both British and foreign. The great cause of complaint had, however, been removed by the withdrawal of Lord Robert Grosvenor's obnoxious Sunday Trading Bill. The more disreputable portion of the mob was. nevertheless, bent upon mischief, and accordingly many thousands of windows — amongst others those of Lord Robert Grosvenor's bouse — were smashed in Belgravia and other parts of London. In several instances, valuable pictures and ornaments were much injured. The police mustered in force at the entrance of the Park, and recommended all carriages to turn back— advice generally complied with. Two members of tbe aristocracy, Lords Cardigan and Brougham, however, took their accustomed drive, and were warmly cheered by tbe crowd, by whom they were recognised. Last Sunday another attempt was ifiade to get op a disturbance in the Park, but this, 6.^ j»n effort on tbe part of a number of boys to make~aTiai}£oad into BeJgravia, were speedily repressed byttes police.
The details of tbe magnificent assault on the 18th June are now known, and the general heroism, acknowledged. There was a failure, but there was. no disgrace. The Russiens defended tbe poihts attacked gallantly, and the assailants covered themselves with glory. Had the execution of
the nyack corresponded to the plans, instead of failure there would have been victory. At three o'clock on the morning of the 17th, a very large body of Turkish and Sardinian troops, with some French- and Britibb cavalry, were to cross the Tchernaya, and move in the direction of Bakshis crai, for the purpose of meeting, and, if needful, engaging any Russian troops that might be on the move to relieve Sebaj'tapo!, ,L'k ew i 8e » at three o'clock on the morning of the 17th, tbe bombardment was to recommence, as on the 6ih, from the whole of ihe siege artillery, 457 heary cannon, and continue till late in the evening. On the morning of the IBih tho bombardment was to begin at three, and continue for three hours, at the end of which period tbe French were to make their assault on the Malakoff tower, and as soon as the French flag was waving on itn summit, the English ware to make their attack on the Redan batlerj'. Ereryihing seemed to promise success. The victory of the 7th was not forgotten. The allied armies were in fine condition, ready, burning with ardour- for any achievement that implied courage, and was to bo paid with honour. Everything was propitious, and the plan # of operations was excellent. But, unfortunately, the Russians, hy their spies, knew everything, and General Pelissier knew that they knew everything, and was obliged, or thought he was obliged, to make some alterations, which, instead of being improvements, were the primary causes of the failure. The Turkish and Sardinian troops moved at the proper time, but met with nothing. Tbe bombardment of the I7^h was most effective; but during the night, the .Russians, always alert, repaired the damage, done during the day, threw up more work*, made preparations for a sortie, and in especial dug a very formidable ditch, which added mateiially to the difficulties of the assailants. We come .now to give an account of the repulse and
its causes. First of all, General Pelissier sent to Lord Raglao, on the evening of the I Teh, a message, that instead of waiting until the fortress should be bombarded for three hours, he meant to make his attack early in the morning. The- French attack was to be made by three divisions. They
were not to move till signalled by rockets, that the
proper time had come. But, most unfortunately, General Mayran moved too soon j he mistook the signal, and led his unsupported troops to certain destruction. He himself soon fell. The other two divisions moved irregularly, and instead of making 1 simultaneous attack, which would have ensured, success, they arrived at different times, aoil were cut up ly the undivided, concentrated fire of the Ruseia'ns. The French flag waved
for a thptt time from the Maiakoff Tower. Lord llaglan saw that something was wrong, the French i»eip. not making progress, and although he knew -that t|U the Malakoff was taken, the Redan, though taken, could not be held, he gave the signal to advance, and' the English attack took place— ■another edition of , the Balaklava charge ; success was not pnly improbable but impossible. The were cut down like ripe grain by the sickle. The 2n,d Brigade and tbe 3rd Division met with some success. Its assigned task was to take the •Cemetery arid the Barrack battery. The Barrack battery never was taken, but the Cemetery was -taken, Rome&ouseß were taken possession of, and the little Wasp battery, was taken and held for a s few miriutes. But, on' the whole, the failure was complete. Great, part of it was owing to mistakes and misconceptions, and changes of plans ; but wo , are bound to say that tbe chief cause was the}) unprecedented heavy, incessantly murderous fire cf tbe Russians. <It was unparalleled. Nothing could stand before it. The Time? complains that more men were not cent to the assault ; but more men would 4iave but, added to the daughter. It is now impossible to think of raising the siege, or transferring the war from the vyaib .of Sebastopol to the open •country. Th» attempt must be made again and ■again 41l Hbe successful. We cannot stop now. The French lost 3^.'«rßcers killed, \7 taken prisoners. 1,544 non-commissioned officers and privates skilled or missing, 96. officers and 1,644 men wounded—total, 3 338. The English had 21* •officers and 144 men killed, GO officers ( and 1,058 men wounded, 2 officers and 150 men missing— total, 1,443, Making. 'in all, of both armies, 4,781 killed, wounded, and missing. Shortly after the repulse, Lord Raglan sickened, and on the 28th -died— 'his death no doubt hastened by vexation and sorrow,* We had Hoped ,tli.e noble chief.would have lived to win a great battle and return home in glory. But it seemed good, otherwise to tbe Great Disposer ; and his warfare has ended amid sorrow /or tbe slain and sympathy for the •wounded, and natural regret that the combined armies should have suffered so severe a check, though it can never by any unprejudiced man be magnified into a defeat. The news from Sebasto-
Pol latterly is meagre, and not very satisfactory. The English commenced a bombardment of the Redan on the 10th instant, which (according to General Pelissier) was most successful. We have
been taught, however, to take little account of this
general's telegraphic despatches. He sent last •week a despatch announcing a great slaughter of the Russians in repulsing a sortie, which proved to be only a mere feint. And as to our having " silenced " the guns of the Redan, we cannot forget how fatal Rustian 40ns which we have " silenced " have proyed when tbe [time came for their use. The fact that the British bombardment of the Redan is unsupported by any French bombardment of the Malakoff, ia another came of suspicion. Has the damage dope to the railway by the rain been so serious.that sufficient ammunition can only be provided for a partial attack ? And even if we "silence " the Redan, can we occupy it in the face of the concentrated fire of the Malakoff?
The worst news from Sevastopol is, that all accounts agree in declaring it an absolute impossibility for our army to take the field. Men and means are aMce wanting, and bare not been supplied by the Government at home. Nothing remains possible, therefore, but to Ogbt for the fortifications inch by inch. In the Baltic, a correspondence baa taken place between Admiral Dundas *nd the Rustian Minister of War, upon the subject of flags of true. The latter, in reply to a former communication fronuhe British admiral, intimate?, upon the part of the Imperial Government, that flags of trace will only be received on three points, viz., Cronstadt, Sweaborg, and Revel. Vessela bearing such flag are also required to hoist a whfte flag of large dimensions, and cast anchor _ beyond long range, and wait until a boat goes alongside to receive a written message from them. The Russian Miniiter, in introducing these unusually suspicions regulations', insinuates that the Engjibh have made unfair use of flags of truce— the tame plea upon which his Government attempts to vindicate the atrpcityat Hango. Admiml Dundaa, in replying, expresses his ignorance of the circumstances in the conduct of his officers which have given rise to thete -restrictions, and intimates that the whole responsibility of any evils which may occur from them mutt fall upon the Ruabian authorities. The whole of the Rustian Baltic coast continues closely blockaded by the allied fleets; but,, with the exception of the bombardment by some' English vessels of a town bearing the euphonious name of Krasnnja Gotka, fesn!tjfl4irtne destruction of the telegraph station no hostilities of a more active character have taken place in that direction. Sir E. B. Lytton has withdrawn his respliition, which, in fact, could not have been pressed with propriety after Lord John RuswU's resignation. Lord John's defence was of the most weak and puerile nature, and stich 88 to prove that his degradation 8 final, and that he can never bold office again. The present opinion is that tbe House of Com-
mons will reject Mr. Roebuck's motion by a large inajorit)'. .
The latest accounts from the Crimea are encouraging. The bombardment on the part of the English had again commenced, and the fire of the Russians was feeble. The Redan had been silenced, and our countrymen were enabled to push nearer their approaches to the place. The French were about to renew the bombardment of the Malakhoff, and were engaged in erecting new batteries on tbe old Russian redoubt* ot Careening Bay. Mortars on a new «y stern ,{j the range of which was much greater than those previously in use, were to be introduced, and great hopes were entertained of their success. These mortars, it is believed, will reach the Russian line-of-battle ships and Russian steamers, and prevent all future annoyance from that quarter. In the course of a ' day '>r two we may expect to bear of some very 1 decisive action. According t> a despatch from General Simpson, cholera was on the decrease; but this gratifying intelligence jars with the fact that tbe sanitary commissioners, Mr. Ratvlinson and Dr. Sutherland, have relumed home, in consequence of their plans for the health of the troops having been impeded by the military authorities on the spot. The water, in particular, is described as being impure and even filthy, and, if these statements be not exaggerated, the return of cholera is more than probable. Lord Panmure, appalled by the charges which have appeared on this subject in the leading journal, which remind us of the terrible disclosures in the same organ of opinions at the close of the last and the commencement of the present year, has been demanding the nameß of the communicants, which have been offered to him on one condition, a reasonable one aa we think, namely, that the writers shall not be the victims of official vengeance. But as the telegraph from the Crimea gives us news at least ten days in advance of the ordinary advices, we are inclined to hope, from the improving health of the troops, that the picture may possibly have been overdrawn. The accounts from the Asiatic coast of the Black Sea are favourable, although nothing of much importance had occurred. The Russian Government, in order to escape from the universal execration which has been expressed respecting the Hango massacre, has had recourse to a characteristic policy. It has commissioned a General de Berg to make a report on tbe subject, and tbe statements in this report are 00 much at variance with the actual facts as to disentitle them to the least credence. But the very perversion of the truth involves a confession of bhame at the monstrosity of the deed, and to keep General de Berg's falsehoods in countenance, a Russian steamer with a flag of truce reached tbe allied squadrons, on the 28ih June, bearing a letter from Prince Basil Dalgorouki, written from St. Petersburg, the previous day, stating in substance, that flags of truce would only be admissible hereafter at three points— Cronstadt, Sweaborg. and Revel, and insinuating, rather than directly asserting, that English flags of truce had been abused, The answer of Admiral Dunda9 to this communication is spirited and to the point. He denies the insinuation, and offers to institute an inquiry into th 6 conduct of any British officer who can he charged with having so disgracefully vio* lated his duty. The allied fleet, although they have as yet done nothing striking with the great northern fortresses, have not been inactive. In the Gulf of Finland the fort of Rotsinhalm has been blown up ; at Katka, a block of Government buildings has been destroyed. Twenty-nine galiota were burned at the head of Werolax Bay, and the barracks and telegraph station at Kmnaja have been reduced to a heap of ruins. The infernal machines so cleverly laid down by the Russians have been laughed at, and destroyed in scores. Tbe rumours relative to the bad health of the reigning Czar continue, and so strengthened in probability. Facts, too, leak out respecting internal disorganization. Seven Siberian regiments of the line had revolted, a plot had been discovered amongst the Sclavonic party, and the state of affairs in the Ukraine was the reverse of satisfactory. Still Russia makes no secret of her intention to refuse terms, and although she is apparently crippled in her resources, the retention of Sebastopol is the first and last object of her policy. Some fears are evidently felt respecting Poland, and the Grand Duke Constantino evinces a disposition, by concessions, to propitiate that weak arm of tbe empire. , Austrian diplomacy again forma a prominent feature of discussion. It is evident that the French Emperor'fl allusion to the Austrian alliance bus been painfully felt at Vienna, for a new circular has been put forth by Count Bnol, in order to show that the Emperor Francis Joseph has kept all his engagements with the Western Powers ; and when Lord John Russell's speech of the 6th reaches Vienna, this view of the case will be said to have received a powerful confirmation. In the new circular it is asserted that England and France retain the sympathies of Austria, but that she still reserves to herself the selection of the moment j when she shall proceed to extremities, — in reality, an adjournment of the question to the Greek Kalends. That splendid but unfortunate country, Spain, continues in a state bordering on revolution. All the elements of civil war are in active operation. The workmen and peasants were encamped beyond the walls of Barcelona, and the governor was was waiting anxiously for reinforcements before attacking them. In all probability this emeute will be put down or healed up; but the chronic state of Spain is such that we expect to hear, without surprise.of some event not far distant which will burst the ties which link society together. The only hope of the country is Espartero, but he wants the decision and energy essential to true greatness. The condition of society in the Danubian provinces is indeed deplorable — the effect of Austrian misrule ; and if half the accounts which appear from day to day be correct, the continuance of such a state of things ia very discreditable to France and England. We cannot suppose, from the esteem which Austria is always professing for tbe Allies, that a proper representation of the actual facts as they are now said to exist in Moldavia and Wallachia would be treated with indifference. Perhaps the imperial authorities of Vienna may be ignorant of the cruelties and plunder to which the unhappy people were subjected. At all events, it Beems monstrous that while we and our ally are wasting blood and treasure almost countless for the purpose of protecting a weak from the encroachments of a great power— for this was the .origin of the contest with Russia,— that our interference in so just a quarrel should indirectly entail upon the inhabitants of the principalities oppressions and injustice of go revolting a character a 9 those which we Bee constantly recorded. Rumours prevail that Austria has proposed for the permanent retention of the Danuhian provinces; but it is evident that until the termination of hostilities it would be sheer folly to entertain any such proposition. A very unfortunate affair has occurred on the Western Coast of Africa, near the town of Malageak, on the Mallicouri River— a collision between the British troops and the chiefs of the place, in which our countrymen severely suffered. Captain Fletcher proceeded from Sierra Leone with 150 m*n to the place in question. They embarked in a screw-steamer. The town was fired, but, on retiring to their boats, tbe party was attacked by a greaV7 superior force, and the locs of life on the part of the Britisn troops was considerable, upwards of 100 having been killed nnd wounded. This unfortunate business has produced consider'
Austrian diplomacy again forma a prominent feature of discussion. It is evident that the French Emperor'fl allusion to the Austrian alliance bus been painfully felt at Vienna, for a new circular has been put forth by Count Bnol, in order to show that the Emperor Francis Joseph has kept all his engagements with the Western Powers ; and when Lord John Russell's speech of the 6th reaches Vienna, this view of the case will be said to have received a powerful confirmation. In the new circular it is asserted that England and France retain the sympathies of Austria, but that she still reserves to herself the selection of the moment when she shall proceed to extremities, — in reality, an adjournment of the question to the Greek Kalends.
able uneasiness, because it has evidently been caueed by that contempt for barbarian prowess which is too often the characteristic of our countrymen. The Russians, during the last few days, have made several sorties against the French and English works, but have always been repulsed with lose. There was a brilliant affair of this kind on the 14th. But the tone of the recent letters from the Crimea is cheerless, and 6ome of them are even desponding. The check of the 18th June has lose General Peiiesier hiu popularity, and there is no doubt that it was mainly instrumental in nVißuinK poor Lord Raglan.
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Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, 10 November 1855, Page 3
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4,160latest European Intelligence. Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, 10 November 1855, Page 3
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