TURKEY. (From the Home News, July 8.)

Otago Witness, Issue 131, 19 November 1853, Page 4

TURKEY. (From the Home News, July 8.)

The intelligence that has recently arrived, fluctuating in its relation of facts, becomes graver in its import from day to day. The Sultan at once refused the last Russian ultimatum, and the courier who carried it immediately left Constantinople. In the meanwhile the Sultan issued a firman securing the rights and liberties of the Christians ; the Russians prepare to cross the Pruth ; the British and French fleets were ready for action should it become necessary ; and the Turks were arming in all parts of the Ottoman empire. The next news of importance was that the Russians had sunk several boats in the Salina, mouth of the Danube, so that the navigation of the river was suspended ; but it appears that this blockade, which at first excited universal apprehension, has been referred to natural accidents.

On the 2nd instant, positive news arrived from St. Petersburg. The courier had returned, bearing the rejection of the ultimatum, or ultimatissimum, as the Germans call it. A Council was immediately held at the Palace of Peterhoff, and the result was the despatch of a special courier to the army of the Pruth, ordering the instant passage of the river. The first invading division of the army is estimated at 40,000, the whole force at 120,000. The Russian fleet in the Baltic consists of 27 sail of the line and 18 frigates, and that in the Black Sea of 18 sail of the line and 12 frigates.

The last note sent by M. Nesselrode to Redschid Pascha, and the reply of the latter, have both been published. The quiet firmness and admirable moderation of the latter, contrast strongly with the false assumptions and ostentatious arrogance of the former. The whole matter narrows itself to a single point. Russia made demands respecting the freedom of the Christians, which in spirit, and for all practical purposes, the Turkish Government acceded to, and has, in fact, since carried out in the shape of a firman ; but Russia, aj3 if it distrusted the pro-

mises of the Sultan, required that these concessions should bo reduced to the form of a strict engagement, which the Sultan refused as a compromise of his dignity, and as, in effect, a surrender of his sovereign authority. Upon this point the whole difference turns. The Secretary of the Russian mission has left Constantinople, carrying with him the archives of the legation. The British fleet at Besika Bay consists of 6 ships of the line, 7 frigates, and 1 sailing frigate ; the French of 3 line-of-battle ships, 3 steam frigates, and 3 despatch steamers. The fleets are under the command of the English admiral, Dundas. The whole available force disposable by Turkey is estimated at 260,000 men, one-half in Europe and the rest in Asia. The new Austrian Internuncio, Baron de Bruck, has arrived at Constantinople, and been received with marked emotion by the Sultan. A postscript in the same journal from which the ahove is extracted has the following later intelligence from Turkey : — The greatest uncertainty prevails concerning the movements of the Russians. On Monday last a telegraphic despatch from Vienna announced that they had crossed the Pruth on the 25th ultimo. That fact seemed to be beyond doubt ; but a telegraphic despatch from Bucharest, dated the 2nd instant, shows that it was at least premature. Here is the substance of it: — " To-day, the 2nd July, the body of the army intended to occupy Wallachia will cross the Pruth by Leova. It is commanded by General Danenberg. General Gortschakoff is expected at Bucharest. To-morrow that portion of the army destined to occupy Moldavia will cross the Pruth by Skolao. M. OzerofF proceeds to Constantinople to commence fresh negotiations. The Hospodars have received assurance that no change will be made in the Government of the principalities." From a single line in this announcement, if it be true, there is still a hope left of a pacific settlement. Should M. Ozeroff be charged with orders for an accommodation of the difficulty, all may yet be well ; but if it be merely a repetition of the demand already twice rejected, his mission will only aggravate the existing resentment at both sides. Intelligence from Constantinople, dated the 2,5 th ultimo, brings the following: — A mediation, though generally considered impossible, was nevertheless still talked of. Russia, however, was considered to have proceeded too far, and she could not, it was thought, retreat without disgrace, and a violation of all the precedents known in such cases. The armaments were proceeding with great zeal. The excitement of the populace had risen to such a height that the Government scarcely ventured to mention the word " negotiations." At that time the news of the passage of the Pruth had not reached Constantinople ; but it was arranged that whenever the news of that movement should have arrived the fleets of Great Britain and France were to forthwith enter the Sea of Marmora, and take the position assigned to them off the Island of Princes. Admiral Mustapha Pasha has left Constantinople for the Bay of Besika to settle with the British and French Admirals as to the most convenient arrangements for the anchoring of the fleets in the Dardanelles. Selim Pasha has been made Seraskier of the army of Antolia. According to another statement Selim Pasha had been despatched on a mission to Bantoun, on the north-eastern frontier of Turkey. — Some French officers have arrived at Constantinople. They will at once proceed to the Danube. ! At Odessa preparations for war are increasing. Since this was written we learn, by information from Vienna of the date of the 2nd instant, that the Poite had received news that the Ist corps of the Russian army, and a cavalry division, had entered Bessarabia. The strength of the army on the whole frontier is estimated by the Turks at 200,000 men ; but this is supposed to be below the mark. It is evident from the materiel of which this army is composed, including troops from the most remote Russian Asiatic provinces, that Russia has long been preparing for the present moment. Prov isions have become enormously dear at Constantinople ; the paper currency sinks daily in value ; and trade is at a stand-still.