GENERAL SUMMARY

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1987, 24 November 1863, Page 5

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Polish question has entered a new phase. Russia has declared that while she generally recognises the six points, she will not enter upon the amelioration of Poland till the insurrection shall have been suppressed. Such is in brief the substance of the answers which hate been received to the last despatches of Austria, Fiance, and England: Prince Gorts chakoff ii the frankest manner possible avows the policy of Russia. Negotiation is at an end. There are various speculations afloat as to the probable solution of the situation. The only incident that really justifies a speculation of any kind is the publication in the Monileur of the elaborate manifesto recently issued by the Polish National Committee, iv which they supply a categorical answer to the statements in Prince Gortschakuff's previous despatches demaud from other countries recognition as belligerents, and announce their inflexible determinatioa to fight to the last. The appearance of this remarkable document in the French official organ is, not unreasonably, regarded as an adoption, in swine sort, by the French government of the case, or cause, of the Poles; and there is no doubt that, for- whatever so unusual a proceeding may be worth, it has raised expectations which ought not to have been evoked, uuless something more than mere paper declarations were intended to follow. With this single exception, we know of no authentic data upon which it would be s;ifc to buil<2 a conjecture as to what course i*, or is not, likelj to be taken by the Cabinets to whose hands the issues are confided. That the door of diplomacy has been shut by Prince Gortschakoff — rather abruptly, too, in the face of the other powers— is certain. The ground upon which he stands is plain enough ; he maintains that at the time of the treaty of 1815, Russia held Poland by right of conquest ; that the constitutional guarantees inserted in the treaty were not imposed upon the Emperor Alexander, but were voluntarily granted ty him ; and that the powers hate no light of interference whatever, either under the treaty or otherwise. He, therefore, puts an end to the discussion, and, in effect, dismisses his correspondents with a broad hint to mind their own affairs. The intimation that Russia is prepared to abide the lesponsibility of this view of the subject, has, at least, the merit of leaving nothing in obscurity. The other Powers cannot complain of ambiguity on the part of the Russian minister. The Poles are prosecuting their struggle in the face of difficulties which, unless aid comes soon, must, lo all appearance, overwhelm them. The policy of Russia is clearly to destroy the revolution by protracting it over the winter. In the inclement season, when the naked^ forests can no longer afford shelter and security to the insurgents, when food will be scarce, and the means of supporting roving bands will be reduced to famishing point, it is easy to anticipate the result of a conflict waged on such unequal terms. Ranging the elements on her side, while Europe looks on motionless, Russia can hardly fail to cr«sh out the last drop of the national "blood. But it is to be hoped in the interests of humanity, that some mains will b- found for bringing this ghastly contest to an end. It is rumoured in political circles that a new ground j of interference may be opened by the three Powers, and that, although they m:ty not declare ' war as a necessary consequence of the failure of their negotiations, they may decide upon other measures pretty nearly equivalent. At all events, it is not t<» be credited that England, France, and Austria will permit Russia to annihilate with impunity an entire people in the heart of civilised Europe. There is alwajs a resource in the eleventh hour. Ministers, who heve pledged themselves to a particular course, have it always in their power to create an opportunity for the country to revise their policy. People at a distance from the scene of conflict in America are npt to suppose, when an astounding piece of news comes in, that the war is approaching the beginning of the end But this expectation has been so often disappointed, that we doubt whether the fall of Fort Surnter, and the shelling of Charleston with Greek fire, are likely lo bring us a step nearer to the close than we were before. It appears indeed, that the Federals have by far the best of the situation ; and that, with the exception of Lee's army on the Potomac, which is expected every hour to make a swoop upon Washington, the Confederates are very neurly reduced lo ex - tremity. The facts about Fart Sutnter are striking. It was bombarded for seren days by a battery of , Panot guns, which poured in 4500 shots at She unprecedented distance of 2% miles, 2623

lof which took effect. If this statement be corj rect, America has discovered a power in projectiles utterlj unknown to- science elsewhere. ! The conduct 'of the Federal general with refer- \ ence to Charleston is condemned on all hands. j Without allowing sufficient time for non comi hatants to leave the city, he flung Greek fire into the midst of the populous streets, an agent 'which, to quote an American paper, civilization amongst Christian nations has hitherto refrained from employing even in the most bloody campaigns. Yet this barbarous proceeding-, this veritable feu d'enfer did not shake the con- | stancy of Beauregard and the devoted garrison. Not a man fliuched from his post, and, although 42 Federal vessels, including Monitors, had advanced inside, or close to, the bar, the Confederates maintained that they could hold the city against any force the enemy could collect. How far this confident declaration is well founded remains to be seen ; but even if Charleston fall, the Federils will not be much nearer to the conquest of the South. Of Lee's position all that v known is that he was at Culpepper Court-house on the 26th of August with 60,000 men, and that Longstreet and Stuart, each with large forces at their disposal, held Fredericksburg and the fords of the Rappahannock. The general belief was that Lee was 'maturing a plan for attacking Washington, and the whole employment of the army under [ iYJeade was to watch, and, if possible, frustrate his movements. The approach of winter will, probably, congeal the heroism v»f both armies. In the South there are unrnistakeable symptoms of distress. The wonder is how so small a white population, not exceeding a million, could have maintained the war up to this time. Tlie pressure has now come with such urgency as to work a revolution in the whole system. The conscription of all men between sixteen and sixty has been rigorously ! enforced ; but even this is not enough. President Davis has found it necessary to resort to other means. He has determined to call out an army of half a million of slaves, promising to them their freedom at the end of the war, and a grant of fifty acres of laud per head. Nobody doubted that the war would eventually lead to the extinction of slavery ; but who imagined that the extinction would begin in this shape? The Federals, elated with recent successes threaten offensive measures on "nil sides. A war with France on account of Mexico, is openly discussed, and in the same breath Canada is threatened. The Federals calculate upon crushing the rebellion out of hand, and believe themselves stroag enough to embark in a war with England and France immediately afterwards ! In the meanwhile the army of the South in moving out of New Orleans in the direction of Tex^ 1 :, and the progress of the Federal arms io Tennessee is checked by the i resignation of Burnside. A curious circumstance connected with this American war has occasioned some amusement in London. Mr Mason, the Confederate Commissioner, has been ordered by his "government" to withdraw from England, and has withdrawn in consequence. In communioniiier this determination to Earl Russell, Mr Mason informs his lordship that, the English Government having declined the overtures made for establishing friendlj relations between the two governments, it was considered no longer conducive to the interests, or consistent with the dignity of the Confederate government, that its representative should remain in London. The representative has accordingly withdrawn. The grotesque absurdity of this proceeding is as obvious as iU impolicy. At the bottom of the affair we believe there is a little foolish offended pride. Mr Slidell has nerer been officially recognised in France ; but he has been personally received with some marks of consideration. Mr Mison on the ! contrary, was admitted ouly once to an interview with Earl Russell, and his communications have nut elicited the kind of replies which satis fied his own estimate of the attention to which he was entitled. The original mistake was in sending these gentlemen to Europe. Jefferson Davis would have been in a much better position for opening relations with England and France hereafter had he kept them at home. The report of an offensive and defensive alliance having been entered into between Sweden and Denmark has not been confirmed ; but there seems to be no doubt that tho Scan, ditiavian Powers have come to a clear understanding on the subject. Should the threatened occupation of Holstein be attempted to be carried into effect, Sweden will be prepared to cross the Straits with a force of 30,000 men. It is confidently asserted that Federal execution has not only been determined upon, but that it is to be put into effect immediately. The Germanic Confederation is usually so torpid iv its movements that one is apt to think its bark worse than its bite; but upon this occasion its intentions aie put forward with such unusual pressure, that we hare no excuse for iucreduliiy. Denmaik is equally determined on her side; so that there is every chance of a little war in a corner of Europe about a little malter that nobody seams to understand. The Frankfort Congress having closed its sittings, transmitted to the King of Prussia a full statement of the reforms they have agreed to, signed by each of the assenting sovereigns. To this communication the King has replied by rejecting the whole of the reforms, demanding 1 a perfect equality between Austria and Prussia. His Majesty has also dissolved his Parliament, on the ground that the last Parliament did not represent the "Liberal" principles of the people ! If the last on dit is to be credited, the Archduke Maximilian has resolved to accept the throne of Mexico. With this new? dines the intelligence to the effect that France is negotiating for recognition with the Confederates, who are ready in their turn to support Franco in Mexico, while the Federals and the ministers of Central America, protesting against the French occupation, are preparing for hostilities, in which they are to be joined in alliance with Juarez. Here is an erubroglio complicated enough to throw the Southern continent into convulsions tor the next twelve months. The harvest of the present season iv England is of unexampled abundance. No farmer now living can recall so prolific a yield of wheat. The whole crop has been estimated at eight millions of quarters, which is an advance of about 25 per cent upon our average year. Barley and oats are equally plentiful and equally excellent in quality. This description applies only to England, for in Scotland and Ireland the prospect does not exceed the average. Even in England, there are variations. A considerable part of the crop has been secured in the southern counties, but in the north farming operations are later. To the fine war«n weather of which we hare had so long a continuance the splendour of the crops must be mainly attributed ; but during the last few days there Lave been some heavy falls of rain which have occasioned much uneasiness ia those diitricti

where the harvest is yet backward. Making all allowances for these circumstances, enough remaius behind for thankfulness and congratulation. The British Association has just been holding one of its most successful meetings at New-castle-upon-Tyne, under the presidentship of Sir William Armstrong. Ou few occasions have the labours of the sections been so agreeably diversified by excursions and entertainments, and, although the attendance has been unusually numerous, the hospitality of Newcastle has found ample accommodation for them all. The sections have been occupied by a more than 1 ordinary variety of papers, including most current subjects of interest, some of a highly scientific character, and, as usual, not a few of a trivial or trite description. Amongst the amusement!;, not wholly unconnected with the final uimsefthe association, may be mentioned a scientific ascent in a balloon, followed by a lee ture; and practical illustrations by Sir William Armstrong of the power of his 12 -pounder breech-loading and shunt guns. The week was gaily wound up by a regatta. The meeting of next year, fixed for the month of September, is to be held at Bath, and Sir Charles Lyell i* to be the president. ') This being the Parliamentary interregnum the usual gatherings in the provinces have, according to custom, brought many members of the L*ower House face to face with their constituents. The speeches delivered on these occasions are spun upon so familiar a pattern that they do not require to be chronicled in much detail. But it is worth while to observe generally that they express confidence in the present Administration, und evince a disposition to support Ministers in the maintenance of neutrality with respect to America, and do not exhibit any very earnest desire to involve the country in a war for the liberation of Poland. It may be noted, however, that the war feeliug on behalf of Poland has risen very palpably since the receipt of Prince Gortschakoff's last answers, and that if occasion should really demand it, there would be no great opposition to a more strenuous demonstration than that of mere remonstrance against the barbarities and bad faith of Russia. Much discussion has taken place of late respecting two vessels building iv English ship yards for the presumed us* of the Confederates. The Emancipation Society addressed E trl Russell on the matter, and appealed to him to enforce the provisions of the Foreign Eislistmeut Act in this particular instance. His lordship replied by reminding the Society that prosecutions in British courts of law must be founded on the affidavits of credible witnesses, and that, although they had pointed out what they supposed to be an infringement of the law, they had failed to furnish him with evidence of the fact. It was quite evident from this answer that Earl Russell was perfectly willing to take steps for the prevention of a violation of the Foreign Enlistment Act, if he were furnished with sufficient testimony to justify him in such a proceeding. That some materials of that nature have since been laid before him m*y be inferred from the fact that it has been subsequently determined by Government to detain the vessels, and to throw upon the builders the onus of proof. The defence anticipated is somewhat roundabout. Tlie builders are understood to allege that Uiej were employed by a French house, which house was e.nployed by the late Pachu of Egypt, and that the present Pacha having repudiated the contract, the rams, for such they aro said to be, were left on tlie hands of the French house. The story does not hang well together, and hu6 been circumstantially denied by the Constitutionnel; but the ourts will not have much difficulty in determining its value.