THE EASTERN QUESTION. [From tbe London Correspondent of the Melbourne Argus.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 885, 25 January 1854, Page 4

THE EASTERN QUESTION. [From tbe London Correspondent of the Melbourne Argus.]

London, October 5. As we have at various times since my last communication been apparently on the very threshold of war, and as your readers may be as sick as I am of wading through a long recital of "lengthened fineness" day after day, •' drawn out" to suit the purposes of speed haters and others, it may, perhaps, be desirable to give a brief history of all that has occurred, with a running commentary, and the latest information up to this time. A note of memorandum was drawn up by the four powers, England, France, Austria, and Prussia, which Russia agreed to accept. Upon examination, for it appeared the document had not been previously submitted to the Porte, it was found that there was not such an explicit wording as would protect Turkey against future aggression, and having the support of its allies, the Divan thought it best to make all square at once. The necessity of this was proved by the fact that Count Nesselrode, in his subsequent despatch explaining why the Emperor Nicholas would not accept the modifications proposed by the Sultan, put a construction on the original ternis of agreement drawn up by the powers, entirely opposed to their meaning and intent. He pretended to assume that almost everything was conceded, which Prince Mentchikoff originally demanded, as though all our efforts would have been directed to degrade and subject Turkey, and to negotiate, through many tedious months, to no good purpose. The Erpperor wants the authority to interpose between the Sultan and his Greek subjects, in a way utterly destructive of the sovereign rights of the latter, and ill conceals his ambitious purpose beneath a thin veil of fanatical zeal. Every post ha& brought us reports of the Russians taking up strong positions along the Danube, and the Turks, in like manner, have an extraordinary entrenched camp at Schumla, and an army of 300.000 men, reckoning all their contingents, from Egypt, and Tunis, and Asia. The splendor of the "barbaric host" is said to be very dazzling, and seeing them near to the Plain of Troy, the classic associations of old revive in many a breast. Several of our noblemen have this summer gone expressly *to the Bosphorus to witness these imposing anaysrVbut as an officer of the Peninsular and Ori nal Company told me, the most beautiful sight he ever witnessed, was that of the British and French fleets in Besika Bay. When the Emperor refused to accept the note, as modified by the Ottoman ministry, great excitement arose in Constantinople, inflammatory placards were affixed to walls, and a deputation of ecclesiastics and lawyers waited upon the ministry, demanding war, or the abdication of the Sultan. The feast of Bairim was at hand, and it was then .deemed necessary, in order to prevent any outbreak against thg Christians, as was alleged, to call up six of the English and French war steamers and frigates. Either this step had the desired effect or, as is presumable, there never was any real danger, and the object was a kind of demonstration against Russia in a way that would give her a "gentle hint," and yet without her being able to take offence. It is this temporising policy, however, that is precisely the cause of the Emperor Nicholas' arrogance. Had England and France, the moment the Danubian principalities were invaded, moved their fleets up to Constantinople, the whole question would have been settled ere this, and without war; for although Austria and Prussia might have kept aloof, the two great powers, with Turkey, could have set Europe at defiance, and dictated their own terms. The Caucasus, and various tributary States of Russia, to say nothing of Hungary, Poland, and Italy, could be revolutionised at any moment when once our fleets are in the Black Sea ; and but for the certain result that John Bull would have to pay in purse as well as person, the liberties of the world might be advanced if we at once I cried " havoc, and let loose the dogs of war." j The days of subsidising are not yet gone, however, and in meal or malt we should have to support Turkey, and every other state that was in direct conflict with the northern powers. Moreover, this Turkish imbroglio is a perplexed question. To see eleven millions of Greeks ruled by four millions of Turks is not agreeable, however it may be politically necessary ; and if Turkey would return to her old quarters, and a Greek empire guaranteed by the allied powers could be founded, the cause of civilisation might be a gainer. The course of events may bring this about, but in any case Russia cannot be permitted politically to aggrandise herself. She is sufficiently dangerous in her proximity to our Eastern territories already, as some think, and though I entertain no present fear on that head, I consider that her anti-progressive tendencies are su inimical to the cause of liberty that she ought to be restrained. If war were not a thing more seriously thought of 1 than formerly, we should ere this have sought to indemnify ourselves for the inconveniences we have suffered by opening once and for ever the passage of the Dardanelles, and making conditions with Turkey for a joint occupancy of the forts with France. The autocrat has relieved Turkey, by his impudent invasion, of the obligation to respect the treaty that closes the straits to foreign ships of war in time of peace, and the rest of Europe never consented to such an exclusive and antiquated policy. Some may doubt if our attainment of the object would be worth much, but many will be found to estimate aright the importance of our constant presence off the Russian coasts. The Russian and Austrian Emperors, who

appear to think they can manage everything as they wish, have had a formal meeting atOlmutz, and it is said drew up fresh proposals, which would prohahly satisfy Turkey as well as her allies. After such shameful subterfuge and palpable delays, however, with the fact that the Emperor of Russia has contracted for supplies in the Danubian provinces throughout the winter, very little reliance can be placed in any efforts he makes, which may be merely to gain time. Possibly he is sincere on this occasion, and more likely still he is getting alarmed ; but a Cabinet Council of our ministers was held on Monday (two days since), and it is supposed a very decided course of action was then resolved upon. Probably the whole fleet is by this tine before Constantinople. In the meanwhile, and just as there is some prospect of our armed peace attitude bringing the Autocrat to reason, the Grand Turkish Divan, composed of 140 of the elite of the country, are said to have unanimously recommended the Sultan to declare war, and later advices say he has signed the declaration, contrary to the wishes of the Four Powers, though of course England and France will support him. 1 rather doubt if the signature is yet given.