NEWS OF THE WEEK.
AGAIN to spare the time and patience of our readers, we may resolve the Turkish news into the briefest statement of two facts. Omer Pacha has conveyed to the Russian Commander-in-chief the formal declaration of hostilities, unless the Principalities be evacu- ated : Prince Gortschakoff is reported to have replied, that he had no orders to leave the Principalities, and that if attacked he should defend himself. Even at this late stage, the Porte has preserved the contrast with the proceedino°s of Russia which it has maintain- ed throughout. The manifesto issued by the Sultan, the text of whioh has reached us but this week, is a resume so calm and indis- putable that it has been pronounced faultless. The intimation to Prince Gortechakoff from Omer Pacha was in like manner couched in language of remarkable courtesy; and to those traits of moral bearing tfie Porte has added an act which is an innovation upon modem viarfarec--deolfuing, not only that it shall abstain from impeding neutral vessels of commerce, but that it shall notlay an embargo upon Russian vessels in Turkish harbours. The Porte, after a delay of many months, proceeds to hostilities with a cool self-command, and with a generous resolve not to inflict harm upon the inoffensive, which look like a restoration of the days of chivalry. 1Totwithstanding. that the war made by Russia, and so long en- dured by Turkey, is now answered in a formal declaration by the Porte, it is not expected that there will be much fighting very soon, at all events not on the Danube. It it supposed that the more active fighting will be transferred to other fields, in Asia, where Russians come in Contact with Mussulmans.
No authenticated report has issued respecting the conferences of Russia with Austria and Prussia, at Warsaw and Potsdam ; but it now appears to be understood, with great probability, that the two latter powers intend to remain neutral. Austria attests her neu- trality by a reduction of forces, especially on the Turkish frontier; her forces in Italy and other provinces remaining untouched. Peace fit all price, even at the price of refusing obedience to Russia, is so evidently the interest of Austria, that we may do no violence to our suspicions if we believe this neutrality to be honest. The in- terest of Prussia in remaining true to the general council of Europe is still more manifest. Jointly, the neutrality of these two powers cuts off Russia from inflicting much mischief upon the body of Europe.
