29 APRIL 1854, Page 6

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FRANCE.—In order to satisfy the public, which showed some signs of impatience, the Moniteur has published a detailed statement of the naval

force of France. From this it appears that the Baltic fleet numbers four ships of the line of 100 guns, three of 90, and two of 80 ; two frigates of 60 guns, three of 50, and one of 40; and seven smaller vessels of from 14 to 4 guns, propelled by steam: the total number of ships is twenty- three, carrying 1250 guns. The Black Sea fleet is of a very varied cha- racter, ranging from ships of the line of 120 to small steamers of 2 guns. It includes thirteen steamers; but though it exceeds in number the Baltic fleet by three ships, it carries fewer guns—on the whole 1120. A third squadron, recently employed in transport service, and destined to act in the Levant or the Black Sea, comprises ten ships, six being steamers, bearing 622 guns.

The Moniteur further announces, that all the French naval stations have recently been reinforced, and sets down the French naval force afloat at 66,000 men. It is added, that " on her aide England has equal forces."

Marshal St. Arnaud reviewed, last week, the troops assembled at Marseilles, forming part of the army of the East. Lord Raglan was present. On Saturday, the French Marshal and Madame St. Arnaud accompanied Lord Raglan on board the Caradoc, in which he sailed for Constantinople. Marshal St. Arnaud was not to take his departure until Wednesday. It has been reported, that in consequence of recent de- spatches from Turkey, France will send 150,000 men to the East. A. sixth squadron is to be added to all the regiments of cavalry. As the Russian ports in the Baltic and White Sea were closed by ice when war was declared, the French Government has decided that Russian vessels leaving those ports before the 15th May, bound for a port of

France or Algeria, may freely accomplish their voyage, discharge their cargoes, and afterwards return to a Russian port not blockaded, or to a neutral port. A month's delay, from the date of the receipt of the decla- ration of war, is granted to Russian ships at ports in the French colonies. GERMILNY.—Some vague account of the offensive and defensive treaty recently concluded between Austria and Prussia has been published, on

tolerable authority. It directs generally, that war operations undertaken by Austria must be concerted beforehand with Prussia, but that Austria is to have liberty of action in the Danubian Provinces; in other words, Aus-

tria may occupy Bosnia and Servia at her pleasure, but must concert all other war measures with Prussia. It is conjectured that there are some secret articles, relating probably to the preservation of the " integrity " of the Russian empire.

M. Manteuffel has made a verbal communication to the Committee of the Upper Prussian Chamber appointed to consider the loan proposal. Reviewing the history of the Eastern question in a purely diplomatic fashion, and taking no account of the warlike measures of the Western Powers, the Prussian Minister describes the attitude of his Government as one of moderation and mediation throughout, sometimes earning the thanks, sometimes the dissatisfaction of both parties. To preserve Ger- man interests, " collaterally with its exertions in favour of peace," a union with Austria has been devised, and it is hoped that all the German federal states will adhere to this union. Prussia, notwithstanding all that may have been supposed by the English press, has not separated from the Western Powers. " The Prussian Government will show itself devoted to hopes of peace up to the last moment. So long as a glimmer of hope of peace remains, she will continue her efforts to obtain that ob- ject ; and when the decisive moment arrives, she will be armed and ready to draw the sword." In replying to demands for explanations, M. Man- teuffel said that Prussia and Austria aimed at moderating exertions pushed too far—at exerting an influence over the Western Powers; but Prussia was resolved not to act as umpire. Prussia could not listen to the an- terior demands of Austria to bind herself to strict neutrality, without abandoning her position as a great power. Besides, neutrality might have afforded to other powers a pretext for assuming a hostile attitude. The Committee, satisfied with these explanations, and having full confi- dence in the Government, recommended the House to grant the loan. No demand has been made on Prussia by England and France to give a categorical explanation of her intentions.

TURKEY.—Front a collation of the moat trustworthy accounts yet re- ceived, it would appear that the hostile armies remain much in the same position as that reported last week. Omer Pasha has concentrated his troops on Schumla ; and the Russians are said to have occupied the coun- try as far as Trajan's Wall, perhaps beyond it. There have been flying re- ports all the week that Silistria has been bombarded ; but the news gains little credence. Much more credit seems due to the repeated and au- thentic-looking statements that the Russians have suffered a defeat before Kalafat, and that they have evacuated Lesser Wallachia, to concentrate upon Bucharest, in obedience to orders from Prince Paskiewiteh, who has inspected the whole Russian line of operations. A telegraphic despatch in the Moniteur gives some colour of truth to a report that before the Turks retired from Chernavoda, they inflicted a heavy blow upon the advancing Russians.

With respect to the combined fleets we have some credible accounts. The Furious, war-steamer, ordered to Odessa with a flag of truce to bring away the British Consul, sent a boat on shore with a flag of truce. The officer in charge was not permitted to land. On returning to his ship, the Russian batteries fired shot and shell into her, although her white flag was flying. The boat reached the ship in safety. A frigate came out ; but, seeing the Furious was not inclined to run, went back again. A gallant adventure, of which Captain Tatham of the Fury, 6, is the hero, is recorded. Creeping up to Sebastopol, on the 11th April, he spied two merchant-vessels departing ; boarded and captured one, and took her in tow. Two brigs, followed by two frigates, 48 guns, instantly sailed out of the harbour, in chase, and a steamer began to get up steam. The frigates rapidly nearing, the Fury cast off her prize, started some tons of water, and flew to windward. As the frigates neared, the Fury fired at the foremost ; and it was seen that the shot fell a little short of the bows. The Russian fired four guns, and hoisted three ensigns one after the other; the Fury replying to the defiance with shell. Finally, as the steamer was coming up, the Fury steamed away with her prisoners. The reported bombardment of Odessa has not been confirmed.

The latest accounts state that 20,000 French and 8000 English troops had landed at Gallipoli; and that some had gone on to Adrianople. Se- veral British and Highland regiments have been landed at Scutari, where there are commodious barracks.

Respecting the Greek insurrection, we can still only report that the rumours are as confused and obscure as ever.

RIISSIA.—The Emperor has issued an ukase directing that a naval force for the defence of the coast of Finland shall be organized before the 20th of May. All sailors on leave of absence have been required to return to duty forthwith. It is stated that trial was recently made of the guns of Revel, and that the majority proved worthless. This intelligence, how- ever, although said to have come direct from St. Petersburg, is extremely doubtful.

One of the St. Petersburg journals shocks its readers with a purely imaginative account of the dreadful atrocities practised by the English on the flindoos,—atrocities in comparison with which, it is said, the Rus- sian penal code is mildness itself !

The Journal de St. Peterebourg contains a notice by which the Minister of Finance allows English and French vessels six weeks from the 19th of April to clear out of Russian ports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azoff, and six weeks from the 7th of May to clear out of Russian ports in the Baltic. Enemies' property in neutral bottoms will be regarded as inviolable, and may be imported into Russia. The subjects of neutral Powers on board enemies' ships will be unmolested.

SWEDEN.—King Oscar has published an ordinance regulating the con- duct of the Swedish commercial marine during the war. It commences in this wise—" We' Oscar, by the Grace of God, King of Sweden and Norway and of the Goths and Vandals " - and, reciting the acknowledged necessity of rigorously observing the obligations and precautions requisite to insure to the Swedish flag the rights and privileges of a neutral power, and of avoiding everything that might excite the suspicion of the belli- gerents, it lays down certain regulations: that every Swedish ship shall be provided with the documents necessary to prove its nationality ; that the use of false papers or a foreign flag are forbidden ; that in no case shall a Swedish vessel in distress for men take on board a greater number of the subjects of the belligerent powers than is equal to one-third of the crew ; that no vessel shall enter a blockaded port, or carry articles con- traband of war, or the despatches of any belligerent; that foreign vessels may export from and import into Swedish ports any articles not contra- band of war ' • that no privateer be armed by Swedish subjects, or admitted into Swedish ports ; nor can prizes be taken into Swedish porta except in well-proved cases of distress ; and captains of sailing-vessels are not to refuse to produce their papers when boarded by belligerents.

SPAIN.—We are now told that the Black Warrior question is anything but settled, as was at first reported. It is stated that Mr. Soule de- manded that an indemnity of 300,000 dollars should be paid ; that Pezuela and all officials concerned in the seizure of the ship should be dismissed ; and that full powers should be in future conferred on the Cu- ban authorities to settle questions of this kind. The reply was, that the Spanish Government had not yet !received despatches relating to the af- fair from the Captain-General. This appears to have exasperated Mr. Soule who treated the reply as a subterfuge, and gave the Government forty-eight hours to send an answer. Enraged at this, M. Calderon do la Berm said that the Government would not submit to any insults. Mr. Soule rejoined, that no insult was intended ; he had only desired to state facts. And so the matter stands.

The " Bank crisis " has passed over ; and the Government has bor- rowed from two capitalists twenty millions, on the security of the revenue of the Philippine Islands. By a Royal decree, it is forbidden to equip or admit in any Spanish, port privateers bearing the Russian flag ; Spanish merchant-ships are not to accept letters of marque from any power - and no despatches, or goods contraband of war, are to be carried under the Spanish flag.

ITALY.—The Piedmontese Government, following the example of France, announced its intention of raising half the loan of thirty-five millions of francs by public subscription. This appeal has been quite successful; more than the required amount was raised in three days. It is remarkable, that while Genoa has proved itself backward in making this patriotic investment, the clergy have supplied very considerable sums. A levy of 12,000 men of the class 1853 has been ordered. Austria bee recently made some advances towards Piedmont ; but demanding as the

conditions of &return to friendly intercourse, that Piedmont should aban- don its intentions with respect to the clergy, conform to the wishes of Austria as regards the reception and treatment of refugees, and enact a restrictive press law ! Prussia has demanded to know what are the in- tentions of Piedmont with respect to the Eastern question. Treating this demand as it deserved, the Government declined to make any reply what- ever.

UrrrrEn STATES.—The Atlantic arrived yesterday at Liverpool, from New York, bringing advices to the 16th instant.

The New York Herald announces that a draught convention has been concluded "between Mr. Buchanan and Lord Aberdeen (?) on behalf of their respective Governments, by which England admits in the approach- ing European war the doctrine that free ships make free goods ; also re- nouncing the right of search for the impressment of seamen, so far as American vessels are concerned, and conceding the restriction as to the law of blockade." In return, the United States Government pledges itself to strict neutrality and non-interference in the contest between the Western Powers and Russia.

The Washington Union throws discredit upon this statement ; but in a subsequent issue the New York Herald maintains that its former state- ment was quite accurate ; adding that Mr. Mason had made a similar arrangement with the Government of France. Some resolutions regard- ing the rights of neutrals, and affirming the doctrine that free ships make free goods, have been referred by the House of Representatives to the Com- mittee on Foreign Relations.

INDIA AND CH1NA.—The overland mail arrived in London on Thurs- day, bringing advices from Bombay to the 28th March and Hongkong to the 11th March.

From neither place have we any news of importance. There was a report that the King of Ava had been poisoned by the " War Prince " his brother ; but it was held at Bombay to require authentication. Da- coities seem to have disappeared from Burmah for a season ; and boats pass from Rangoon to Meaday in perfect security. Mr. Luard, of the Bombay Civil Service, has been compelled to resign.