The accounts from the seat of war continue to come
tardily, and are slightly anticipated by doubtful Russian reports. In reality nothing decisive appears to have occurred since the 5th of last month ; both sides, even powerfully accumulated Russia, reposing on their wounds. But the most obvious progress is made on the side of the Allies. Two French regiments have strengthened the British position at Balaklava, and the right has been intrenched ; reinforcements continue to make their way towards the Crimea, and it is calculated that towards the most recent date 10,000 or 11,000 had passed Constantinople, irrespectively of Turks. On the
other hand, the Russians, e to feel the want of supplies,
seem to have begun to sprea themselves more' over the country in search of subsistence. The balance of strength, therefore, was increasing on our side ; but while we do not hear of any active use of it, the tendency of the expectation is that the winter will be passed outside the walls.
A fiercer enemy than the Russians had come forth, in the hostile powers of nature, which raged strong in the sea of winter mists. The stormy weather seems to have begun on the 10th of November, but it was on the 14th that the gale occurred which is said to have been destructive to thirty-two English transports, while two ships of war were driven on shore, and others were seriously damaged. The news comes through an Austrian channel, and may perhaps be magnified, as so many communications by that route are, for the use of the Stock Exchange. Meanwhile, the rapprochement between Prussia and Austria is confirmed, and decidedly it has been effected at the price of an ad- vance on the part of Prussia rather than a retractation on the part of Austria. At the opening of the Prussian Chambers, KingFre- derick William alluded to this "further understanding," to this "close union" with Austria "and the rest of Germany.' At the same time, he announced that he should "continue to plead for peace, the recognition of the independence of foreign states, and moderation." Poor Frederick William really seems to be intoxi- cated with that favourite drug of "moderation." However, he promises that his army shall be made ready for war ; and his plenipotentiary has signed the additional article in the treaty of April 20th.
That treaty, it will be remembered, bound Austria and Prussia to protect each other's territories in case of attack. Austria put a large interpretation upon the bond ; Prussia would have narrowed it to the purest defence of German territory, and had even repre- sented that the retirement of Russia from the Principalities had superseded the necessity for the treaty altogether. Many nego- tiations have passed, and have resulted in the new article, to which, it is said, all " Germany " is prepared to subscribe as well Prussia : this new article binds the contracting parties to defend, not only the non-German territories of any power in the Confede- ration, but the Danubian Principalities now occupied by Austrian troops, should Russia again assail them.
Meanwhile, too, Russia is offering, through Prussia, to nego- tiate on the basis of "the four points" translated into the Russ dialect,—a Christmas puzzle for diplomatic grown children during the holidaYs.
