THE POLISH REVOLUTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1099, 23 May 1863, Page 5

THE POLISH REVOLUTION.

The tide of events continues to move deep and , rapid in Poland. It is now no longer doubtful that j the Russians are, hard pressed throughout the whole country, and more especially in those more hilly districts which give the best shelter to the revolution. The insurgents capture towns, they force Russian detachments to capitulate, they are commanded by a general-in-cliief; the Provisional National Government issues its orders, is implicitly obeyed, and the numbers of the revolutionary armies daily increase. Indeed, the state of things is full of peril for the Russian government—we might almost have said for the Romanoff dynasty. Alexander commands the suppression of the insurrection within 10 days, but his officers know that the chances of easy victory are for ever gone, and that nothing but a great war, with'the whole strength of the empire, and guided by the most skilful and resolute generals, can reduce Poland to its former state. The number ot the Russian army is much less than is generally supposed. The enormous and ruthless conscriptions ot the Emperor Nicholas have been discontinued since the Crimean war with the purpose of allowing the population to recover itself; and the want of officers is even greater than that of men. The disaffection of the Russian nobles, who think that the emperor is studying how to break down their power, ana the sympathy which large districts even of Russia Proper feel with the Polish patriots, it is easy to conceive that this is no common rising, and that, the very existence of the Russian dynasty and polity may be at

slake. . ~ It would appear that the obnoxious convention either lias been or is to be mollified, so as to save the Prussian government from the storm of European anger. The ' .Frankfort Journal' states that the iorm of the convention, as drawn up at St. 1 etevs lug, ms been considered by the Berlin cabinet to be ol too general a character. The Prussian government lias requested that its bearing should be more distinctly defined. The same paper states that the desire o P/ussia to have the convention more clearly defined has led to Other negotiations, which are most likely not yet concluded. The ' Opinion Nation ale of Pans goes so far as to say that the courts of St. Petersburg and Berlin have agreed that the convention should remain a dead letter. , Mierolawski has issued an order 01 the day an-

nouncingthat the provisional national government has appoint ed him commander-in-chief of all the insurrectionary forces. Mlerolawski is, as our readers a/e aware, a distinguished Pole who was tried in Berlin in 1847 for complicity in the disturbances in Posen, and who subsequently took part in the Baden revolu tion. He has lately been living as an exile in Paris. Despite all the efforts of Russia, the insurrection the Poles is making rapid progress. According to the Vienna correspondent of the ' Times,' the Russians sustained a severe defeat at Malagosz on the 25th February. From the same source we learn the imperial government has but few troops at its disposal on whom it can safely rely : —" Langiewicz is the most formidable opponent the Russians have in Poland, and the Warsaw government lias therefore ordered four corps to co-operate in " exterminating" him and his followers. The first corps, under Alexitselioff, is advancing from Czenstoclmu; the second, under Bagration, from Micehow; the third, under Czengerz, from Kielec ; and the fourth, under Dobrowolski, from Statsow. We are still (February 28) without detailed information relative to the recent movements of Langiewicz, but it is known that he has given the slip to the Russians at Stobnica (near the Galieian frontier in the government of Radom), and made a flank march in the direction of Cheziny, a town to the south of Kielce. In the neighbourhood of Jedrzejoy (south of Cheziny) he fell in with a Russian detachment of 500 men, with two guns, which was escorting a very considerable number of conscripts and some insurgents who had been taken at Miechow, Ojkow, Olkutz, &c. After a sharp skirmish the Russians were routed, and they are said to have left their artillery in the hands of the victors. Among the persons liberated were several Roman Catholic priests and Jews, who were sent to their homes. The conscripts, who voluntarily joined Langiewicz, were armed with weapons taken from the defeated Russians. The foregoing affair took place on Feb. 24, and on the same day two insurgents corp, under Jezioranski and Zielinski, were engaged with the Russians in the neighbourhood of Wloszkzov and Molabosz. After Langiewicz had beaten the Russians at Jedrzejoy, he joined Jezioranski and Zielinski, but no one here knows where he now is. From Warsaw we learn that the railway communication between that city and Wilna, and between Wilna and St. Petersburg is interrupted. The Berlin government, declares that no Prussian troops have crossed the frontier into Poland, but the Poles positively assert that they have been at Dobrzyn, and also at a place called Jarrow, " where they assisted the Russian frontier guard to beat off some insurgents." " Another positive fact," says the Cracow ' Czas,' " is that some Prussian gendarmes arrested several civilians at Chorzele" (on the river Orzye, in the government of Plock). Eye-witnesses (Germans) state that on the 19th February some Russian soldiers were guilty of fearful atrocities at Sraczejes, the first rail-road station from the large manufacturing town of Lodz, in the government of Warsaw. They bayoneted man and beast, ' and three children of five or six years of age were stabbed with a prong, lifted into the air, and then tossed to their lialf-frantic mothers.' Mierolawski, who passed for a dealer in champagne, entered Poland by way of Strzelno, near Thorn. Very many inhabitants of the Grand Duchy of Posen have joined Mierolawski, who is supposed still to be in the neighbourhood of Kolo. Of the recent engagement near Kutno nothing is known here. To the Warsaw telegrams no more credit can be given than to the Washington bulletins. The police authorities at Cracow are now so severe that no stranger is allowed to approach 1 lie Polish frontier unless his passport has a Russian visa."

The following important proclamation of General Langiewicz was published on the 11th March: — " Countrymen!—In the name of the Most High, the most patriotic sons of Poland have commenced a struggle caused by terrible abuses, and directed against the eternal enemies of liberty and civilisation. Notwithstanding the extremely unfavourable circumstances in which the enemy, by a great increase of oppression, hastened the armed conflict, the struggle commenced by an unarmed people, has already lasted two months, gains strength, and developes itself with energy. In presence of this war to the death, the massacres, the p'llage, the conflagrations, which mark the progress of the enemy, Poland feels painfully the absence of a visible central power capable of directing the forces engaged in the struggle, and of summoning new assistance to the field. Although the nation possesses more capable and worthy citizens than I am. and although thoroughly conscious of the heavy duties of the office and the weight of responsibility which it involves, the gravity and necessity of the moment have decided me, after consultation with the provisional government, to assume the supreme power of dictator, which I shall surrender to the representatives of the nation as soon as the yoke of the Muscovite is shaken off.

'• While retaining the immediate direction of military operations in my own hands, I recognize the necessity of establishing a civil government, whose functions will be regulated by a special ordinance. Continuing the work of the provisional government, I confirm the principles of liberty and equality to all citizens, granting land to the peasants, with indemnity to the p 'oprietors. " Poles of all provinces beneath the Muscovite yoke, I summon you to the struggle against the domination of Russian barbarism. The concord of all citizens, irrespective of difference of classes and religion, community of sacrifices, and unity of strength, will render our now scattered forces terrible to the enemy, and insure the independence of our country. '■ To arms for the liberty and independence of our fatherland! "(Signed) "Langiewicz."

The Central National Committee has since proclaimed G-eneral Langiewicz Dictator of Poland. General Wyoczki has been appointed his military coadjutor, while the direction of the civil administration has been entrusted to Poentkowski.

The Paris ' Presse' gives, from private sources, an approximate estimate of the insurrectional forces in Poland. On the 25th February these were held by the leaders of the movement to amount to 47,000 men, and since then the Duchy of Posen seems to have supplied a contingent of 3000. M. Emile de Girardin says that the Poles have this alternative, " either liberty by peace, with the same securities as that of the Austrians, Prussians, and Russians, or independence by war —France with Italy, but without England, fighting against the Russians, Prussians, and Austrians." The Russian troops have committed massacres at Driernowice, in the district of Biala. They also profaned and plundered the churches. Several railway bridges in the rear of Sonowicz have been burnt by the Poles in order to prevent the arrival of the Russian reinforcements. Dombrowna lias been occupied by the Poles, and General Laugiewiez is said to have taken up his position at that place, that he may give battle upon favorable ground. It is stated in a telegram from Vienna of March 13, that 6000 muskets, which were to have been clandestinely forwarded irom Russia through the Danubian Principalities, have found their way into the hands of the Poles. Ga"ibaldi, having writ ten to his former companions-in-arms a letter, in which, after congratulating him on his patriotism, he offered him the aid of his sword and devotion, Langiewicz is said to have written a j reply in ierms of the deepest sympathy, and injvlnch, after pointing out the s.ate of opinion m Poland, he begs him not to come to Poland at present, as he stood in neod of the support of all classes ot ihe population, when his name might alarm by giving to the actual rising an exclusively revolutionary character. This fact, says 'La France,' is very significant. It proves that; Langiewicz, who has admitted military talents, also possesses incontestiblc political abilities. ' La France' says—" Earl Russell has addressed a despatch to the Powers who signed the treaty o Vienna, stating that the present condition of Poland renders diplomatic intervention desirable, to require from Russia full and entire execution of the first aiticle of the final act of the treaty of Vienna, of June 9, 1815. France cannot but perceive, in the initiative taken by the English Cabinet, an echo of her own views." The same paper states that Sweden and I oitugal have given in their adhesion to the views o Earl Russell, that Austria shows a disposition to adopt the same same step, but that Prussia and spam have not yet (March 11) returned an answer.

Rusßia continues to pour fresh supplies into Poland and Lithuania. G-eneral Langiewicz has issued banknotes of the value of two Polish florins. The G-rand Dnke Constantine has left Warsaw, with the intention of visiting the theatre of the popular struggle. Prince William of Baden has left St. Petersburg for Warsaw. The report s of actual engagement s continue to be very conflicting, but 'La France ' states that a great battle is imminent, and that the forces under Langiewicz will be opposed by a body of 8000 Russians. A telegrain. from Wilna slates that a detachment of the Russian infantry of the guard are reported to have been drawn into an ambuscade near Rudnicky, a place about three miles from Wilna, and to have lost 250 men. The Paris correspondent of the 'Times ' writes: — "From Cracow, under date of Feb. 20. we learn that two detachments of unfortunate conscripts had been sent into the interior of Russia. On crossing the Vistula several of them plunged into the river and were drowned—preferring self-murder to service in the Russian army. The death of the chief Frankowski is confirmed. He had received several wounds in the feet, a ball in the side, and a bayonet wound in the breast. An affair took place at Lakacliow; 130 insurgents fought there for two hours against two companies of Sappers, and had only one man killed —a functionary of the village —and a few wounded; the loss of the Russians was greater. A wounded soldier having been placed at the door of the village doctor's house, the latter proceeded to dress his wounds. The other soldiers rushed on the doctor, tied his hands, and carried him off with them. They also carried off the priest. At Rawa and the neighbourhood the Russian soldiers burnt all the houses in which wounded insurgents were found, and murdered the prisoners. The peasants said that such atrocities were never committed even in the time of Nicholas. Accounts from Lublin announce the pillage and destruction by the Russians of the castle of Count Alexandrowitch, at Ronstaniynow, and of that of Count Stanilas Walewski, at Radom. The latter person is related to the Marquis of Wielopolski; but neither relationship, nor pro-

tection of the most influential persons, gives security for life or property in such times. M. Wielopolski is powerless with respect to the military authorities. Neither Marks, who burnt Wonchotzk, nor Euranoff, who directed the carnage at Tomachow, nor he who did the massacre at Wajlanhitzc, has been punished, nor is there any probability of their being so. On the morning of Feb. 17 Prince Bagration marched from Miclialovina with 3000 men, to Sekla and Ozcoce. Miclialovina was pillaged before the Russians quitted it, and even the houses of the Russian functionaries did not escape. Two other Russian columns marched upon Ozcoce, one passing through Wolbrone and the other through Crenstochowa and Zanchi. The whole country was laid waste, and the inhabitants who had not fled were put to the sword. The Russian column, which was conveyed by rail to Crenstochowa, and which was ordered to attack Olkutz, was repulsed by the Poles. The military authorities of the city of Posen proceeded on the Sunday previous to search the Catholic church of St. Martin for arms said to be deposited there. The archbishop protested against such an act on such a day, particularly as martial law had not been proclaimed. On Feb. 19 the Russians were entrenching themselves at Crenstochowa, Piotkou, and Kouskie. The provisional government was holding its ground. There was a number of Russian officers and 23 privates in the hospital of Kulno. The continual marching and countermarching over bad roads had so tired out the Russian officers and privates, that the superior authorities could no longer rely on them. The total force of the insurgent bands is estimated at 45,000 men, but no single corps numbers more than from 3000 to 4000. One-half of them are armed with muskets. The Polish students in the University of Dorpal in Russia succeeded iu escaping into Poland, and have joined the insurgents in the government of Augustow. They are to be employed in organising the insurrection at Wilna. The last account hea-d of Langiewicz is that his corps is becoming every day more efficient. He constantly receives reinforcements, and is now provided with some pieces of cannon. The capture of Konin by the insurgents is not confirmed. It is said, on the contrary, that the Russians have succeeded in reinforcing the garrison with 3000 additional men, whom the insurgents failed to intercept. The frontier guards being now dispersed, the smugglers carry on their trade without impediment. One corps of insurgents had captured Kolo and burnt the bridge; another detachment was I posted at Lodz, and another defeated the Russians at Zarki. Another corps occupies Kutno, which gives them possession of the road and of the railway."

The intelligence which has been received from Poland during .the past week shows that the revolutionary movement has received a severe, and it is apprehended, disastrous check. We will trace the course of events as clearly as the fragmentary telegrams will permit. On March 16, Langiewicz left Zaryszyn for Chrobrz, where next day he fixed his head-quarters in the castle. All the horses and provisions were taken away. Before his departure, Langiewicz summoned the mayors of the adjacent villages to come to Chrobrz, where they were required to satisfy themselves that, with the exception of the horses and food, nothing in the castle had been disturbed, and the building was placed under then* care. On the 17th no encounter took place. The Russians (comprising some companies of infantry, 50 Cossacks, 50 dragoons and 2 guns), who had observed the movements of the Poles from a distance, were then in the little town of Dzialoszyce, midway on the road from Miechow to Wislica, about two miles on the south-west of Chrobrz. The main body, under General Prince Schachowskoj, we-e at Miechow. The General's troops consisted of some thousands of the infantry of the guard of the regiments of Wilna and Smolensk, of the 6th jager battalion, and four guns. Colonel Zwirow had moved with his column from Kielce to Jendszejow, which is situate almost centrally on the road between Kielce and Miechow, and had pushed on his advanced guard to Pinczow (a seat of the Ma 'grave Wielopelski), about a mile to the northward of Chrobrz. General Uschakow, military chief of the Radom government, had removed his head quarters from Radom southwards towards Kielce. Some 300 Russians were also posted at Stolinica, to the north-east of Wislica, At this time the insu-gents displayed great boldness, and advanced nearly as far as Praga, a suburb of Warsaw, on the right bank of the Vistula, where is situate a station on the Warsaw and St. Petersburg railway. In the neighborhood of the little town of M'loswa, on the high road, four miles from Warsaw, a baud of many thousand insurgents had assembled without anv attempt to attack them being made by the Russians. Most of the scholars of the preparatory school for the university had gone over to the insurgents, and the school was entirely closed. _ Recruiting for the insurgents was carried on openly in the city, and oftentimes people were found in the brandv-shops reading aloud the proclamation by the Dictator Langiewicz, and summoning tlieir hearers, who were mostly working people of all classes, to join the cause of the country, and to proceed to the forests, (generally these recruiting agents found willing hearers, and the people would assemble at a given place, when the oath would be administered to them, and then they would leave Warsaw in a body, lhese tacts, which look incredible, are vouched for by trustw orthj authorities. . , ~, , ~ On the 18tli Langiewicz gave battle to the Russians. The details have not yet been published ; nor is it known under what circumstances the engagement bean. The result is all that has up to this date transpired. The telegram informs us that the battle took place near Zagoscie ; that the cavalry and waggons of the insurgents were dispersed after a desperate light; and that Langiewicz and his staff disappeared from the field during the engagement,, which continued till dark. The scythemen and chasseurs, after holding their ground to the last moment under a heavy fire, withdrew on the following day to Vislitza, where they rallied under the command of Colonel Smechowski. On the next day, this remnant of the insurgent troops, only 1000 strong, had another engagement with the Russsians, and were again deeated and dispersed. Part of them took refuge in fGalicia, while the remainder broke up into two oluums, and retreated into the neighbouring forests.

Langiewicz and his friends, including his female aide-de-camp, Miss Pustowaskow, appear to have crossed the Vistula soon after the battle, and entered Galicia. There he presented a French passport bearing a strange name, and having answered the questions put to him, was permitted to leave without his identity being discovered. At Tarnow, however, he was arrested, and conveyed to the fortress at Cracow. It is understood that the Cabinet of Vienna will not give him up to the Russians, but admit him to parole in some Austrian town. Sundry bandd of insurgents have since crossed the Austrian frontier, and been supplied with rations. But notwithstanding these events, the insurrection is still active in other localities. Kreszow, in the Palatine of Lublin, was occupied by the insurgent chief Czechowski on March 20. The insurgent s took possession of the government treasury. The Russians withdrew from the town without offering any resistance. The insurrection in Podolia is increasing. Bands of insurgents are stationed at Bar, Pocazjow, and Joltuszkow. The government treasury in Krzewnienic has been seized by the national forces. The Warsaw Revolutionary Central Committee has again assumed the direction of the insurrection. This step has been rendered necessary by General Langiewicz having resigned the dictatorship in a proclamation warning the insurgents against the indulgence of party spirit. A Russian column has entered the territory of the Grand Duchy of Posen in Prussian Poland, marching through Plesclien, Neustadt, and Vreschen. The column afterwards returned to Russian Poland. This proceeding could have taken place only under the convention of February 8, and it has consequently excited much notice. The ' Constitutional' formally contradicts it, but before we can accept a French contradiction we must wait to hear what Prussia has to say.

Gardiner. —We observe in the Melbourne 'Argus,' of May 13th, a telegram from Sydney, which states that Gardiner and three men went to Howell's station, near Forbes, whilst a wedding was going on, but they left on receiving some cake, a ham, and other provisions.

BIRTH. Jones.—May 20, at Cashel Street, Christchurch, the wife of Mr. Henry Jones, carpenter, of a son (still-born).