The principal events in the Oriental theatre of war are
still those respecting which the intelligence of the last three weeks has gradually supplied us with information ; and at last the Gazette is brought to its duty of telling the English public what the Eng- lish forces have done. Considering that we are the power most directly interested in the proceedings of our own Navy, and that we boast of having developed the means for transmitting intelli- gence more than any other state, it is remarked that Downing Street should positively be the last source from which we have authentic accounts. Russia, Germany, France, have been discus- sing events which the contemned newspaper press has made fami- liar to the public, and it is not until every other channel is ex- hausted that the Government condescends to tell us what has been done.
Through the cloud of reports, however, the light which does shine is in the main satisfactory. From the Duke of Newcastle, we understand that the British troops, who have now arrived at Constantinople in considerable numbers, are lodged upon the whole with as much comfort as could be expected ; the Turkish Govern- ment acting with perfect good faith in efforts to cooperate with British officers for securing supplies. The French Government has also signalized its good faith in an incident which at first appeared to be very untoward. M. Baraguay d'Hilliers, the French Am- bassador, took it into his head to demand peculiar immunities for Catholic Greeks in regard to the order of expulsion ; and he had actually broken off diplomatic relations with the Porte in order to extort compliance ! This was Prince Mensehikoff over again. The Porte very .properly deferred even to the unreasonable demands of a Minister representing so powerful an ally as France, and practically appealed to the Government in Paris. The Emperor has justified that reliance on his good faith, and General Baraguay d'Hilliers is transferred from the diplomatic post for which he has proved himself so little suited, to a military command, where his fiery nature will have more suitable opportu- nity for distinguishing itself. The bombardment of Odessa, con- firmed in all essentials, proves to have been a satisfactory exhibi- tion of energy on the part of the Allies, and not less an instructive exhibition of considerate feeling and policy in sparing the commer- cial interest at that place ; showing that the allies of Turkey re- verse the characteristics of the Russian enemy. Our power was shown effectually, but incidental mischief was minimized : the career of Russia in Turkey has been signalized by slight successes for her boasted power, and a most disproportionate infliction of mischief upon the innocent.
Previous page
