THE mission of M. Fonton to Shumla is said by
some of the foreign jour- nals to have been merely with a view to a truce for the burying of the dead
NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE mission of M. Fonton to Shumla is said by some of the foreign jour- nals to have been merely with a view to a truce for the burying of the dead under the walls ; others, with rather more reason, say that his principal object was to look about the fortress, and to ascertain the feelings of its defenders as accurately as possible. The anticipations of the fall of Silistria have proved singularly correct : it was taken on the 30th, only one day later than the time prognosticated. The Turks seem to have fought with obstinacy sufficient to redeem their character even in the eyes of their countrymen; for though they surrendered, we have not heard of any imputation of treachery. The fall of Silistria, and the defeat of the Vizier, have considerably altered the position of affairs in Bulgaria. The following precis shows the positions of the belligerents pretty clearly:— " The Russians have all the towns on both banks of the Danube below Giurgevo and Rudschuk. There may be some minor positions which they have not yet seized; but substantially when Silistria Tell, they were put in possession of the Danube, or of the Ister, to speak more properly, from Rudschuk to Ismail. The coast of the Black Sea is in their hands from the mouths of the Ister to Varna; and in the interior they hold the towns of Ba- zarjik, Jenibazar, and Pravadi. The whole of Bulgaria to the north-east of the Balkan ridge is in their hands with the exception of Shumla. and Rud- schuk, the former commanding the grand route to the plain of Adrianople by Haidos and Botirgas—the latter the principal ferry from the principality of Wallachia into Bulgaria. On the Turkish side of the Balkan they have esta- blished themselves at Siseholi, in the 'neighbourhood of Bourgas. Shumla, it is admitted, is pressed—Rudschuk is not yet invested, but the release of the corps employed in the siege of Silistria will very probably lead to its speedy investment. Such was the state of the two parties on the 1st of July."— Morning Journal. It seems to be the opinion of some of the French and also of some of the English journalists, that, without taking Shumla, the Russians cannot advance into the plain of Adrianople. The Constitutionnel, in an able article, attempts to show that the capture is not at all neces- sary, and that a better route might be found in many places to the westward of Shumla—it indicates that between Philipopoli and Sophia. The Russians have, however, difficulties more formidable than even the Balkan to overcome : their commissariat is, and always has been, most miserably managed; some of the main sinews of war are absent; and above all, the opposition of the powers of Europe to any further aggression is justly dreaded. These circumstances combined have given to the Russians, in the midst of their triumph, a tone of moderation which, if real, would bespeak great magnanimity in the Emperor, and whether real or not, sufficiently indicates his prudence. The terms of the cir- cular that announced the late victories were indeed so moderate, that at Vienna an immediate rise of the Funds was the consequence. The English and French Ambassadors arrived at Constantinople on the 18th June : a private letter in the Globe gives the following graphic account of their landing and reception. "The palace of the French Ambassador, in the suburb of Pera, presents the most curious and animating appearance. All the affluent and distin- guished persons of the capital, not only European diplomatists, but Turkish officers of all ranks, are hastening to congratulate his Excellency on his re- turn. It is really curious to see les nalitaires a calotte rouge' (red military cap, the turban being now out of use) taking the hands of the French officers in the most affectionate manner, offering them the pipe as an emblem of peace and hospitality. The moment the vessel which brought the French and English Ambassadors came in sight of the Bosphorus, she was saluted by all the artillery from the forts. The two commissioners appointed by the Porte, having been to meet them at Scutari, preceded their Excellencies, with their rowers in theirlioliday suits, and musicians. All the ships, of every nation then in the port of Constantinople, also saluted them—a crowd of spectators covered the quay. The Ambassadors were escorted to their hotels by their.respective friends, who had awaited their arrival. General Guilleminot was attended by all the French merchants. Mr. Gordon, who appears to be on the most friendly terms with the French Am- bassaclor, was repivecl in the same flattering manner. lie excited Mere curiosity, but there appeared to be more cordiality on the part of the Turks towards the Count Guilleminot, on account of a former friendship which had existed between them. The General had scarcely arrived at his hotel before he received a message by the first dragoman from the Reis Effendi. The for- mai entry of the two Ambassadors will take place in a few days; the prepara- tions are completed. It is not known whether they will be presented to his Highness on the same day that they will be received by the Kaimakan, who now acts for the Grand Vizier. Hitherto etiquette has prevented anything of this kind, but it is supposed that the Sultan will permit it to take place under existing circumstances. The camp of Tarapia is the place appointed for the performance of the ceremony. It is expected that an immense con- course of spectators will be present, but the new regulations have interdicted any display of dress by the public, as the splendour of this ceremony is to he entirely military. Negotiations will be immediately opened, not only on the subject of the emancipation of Greece, but also for the re-establishment of peace with Russia." The Ambassadors had not up to the 23rd had any formal confer- ence; and considerable difficulties, it was foreseen, would occur in the way of a settlement of the Greek boundaries ; yet, looking to the more subdued tone of all parties, we shall not probably err in prophesying, that there will be something approaching to a peaceful settlement of the contest in the East before the end of the present season.
