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Leader (1850-1860), 9th December 1854, Edition Town of 2, Page 1161, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      speech , and added , that the Throne had lost none of 5 te prestige by the attacks of its enemies , Corradi , Escosura , Garcia Lojez ( one of the minority with Qrense ) , Lujan ( Minister of Public Works ) spoke at greater or less length j and Orerise spoke again , denouncing the celebrated applegetic manifesto which the Queen signed during San Miguel's brief Provisional Ministry , and declaring that it was a morta . 1 blow to the throne of Isabella II ., stripping it of all prestige . . .

      " The eternal phras « of Kings , " said Senor Orense , "is , "They have deceived me . * That is what Donna Isabella II . said in her manifesto of the 26 th of July'They have deceived me during 11 years ; I have not known what passed in the country . ' I care little for persons , Senors , be they . kings or not ; but nevertheless I will say that you ha-ve given , its . death-wound ; " to the throne of Donna Isabella II . It is impossible she should have prestige to reign , and there will probably happen to her what happened to her father and her grandfather . " .

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      THE PRUSSIAN CHAMBERS . There have "been severe contests in the Second Chamber . The liberal Count Sehwerin has been elected President .-of the Chamber , hy a- majority of . 58 , in a house of 256 members . M . Bethmann-Hollweg , leader of the constitutional conservative opposition and anti-Russian party * has obtained the second vice-presidency , defeating the feudalist candidate , M . Geyr , by 12 votes . The first vice-presidency was obtained by M . Arnim , a member of the Uight . His opponent was a member of the catholic iLeft .

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      THE WAR AND AUSTRALIAN POSTAGE . The writer of the' City article in the Times says the following , apropos of a letter , respecting the arrangenient between Government and the Peninsular and Oriental Company : — " The subjoined letter expresses opinions regarding the intended cessation of the overland communication with Australia , which are believed to be generally entertained by commercial persons connected with that country . Upon the plea that a number of ships taken from them by the Government renders it necessary to recal the comparatively unimportant onea used as the link betweea Singapore and Sydney , the Peninsular and Oriental Company Have been allowed to discontinue a service -which , although only performed every alternate

      month , constituted the last remaining means of rapid communication Kipooi which the merchants and manufacturers on . this side and the importers in the colony could absolutely rely . " The trade to and from Australia amounts annually to nearly 30 , 000 , 0007 . sterling , and , by the contemplated step , this is to be thrown into suspense , and , as regards individual interests , constantly mto jeopardy , for ttie sake of calling into other uses a couple of moderate-sized and not particularly fast steamers . The Gbvernnient have deprived the mercantile community of the results of the bounty system in this case , at the only moment , perhaps , when , all persons would agree that benefit was to be derived from it . In ordinary times every movement towards its discontinuance , would be hailed as a gaiu to the cause of private enterprise . "

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      BRITISH-BUILT WAR-STEAMEHS JTOIt PARAGUAY . Expeiuenob has recently removed many an erroneous notion as to the supposed attributes and « upacity of certain nations ; but probably in no instance has fact more strikingly corrected the fallacy of a received opinion than in the case of Paraguay , Hcrmetically sealed for nearly half a century from intercourse with the external world by tlto domestic policy of Francisa , and subsequently isolated from surrounding states through the aggressive designs of Rosas ; peopled by a native race whose docility hnd rendered them plastic to a proverb under the ugents of X-oyoln ; ruled by the descendants of Spaniards in whom the indolence of the original Iberian character ¦ was supposed to bo aggravated by an enervating climate ami luxurious soil ; impelled to enterprise by no necessity for imported luxury , and no desire for territorial aggrandisement ; prosperous , ' peaceable ,

      and contented , enjoying a strong government ad . ministered under popular forms , Paraguay might reasonably bo looked upon as the paradise of lainsaz , Jbire . It wns in such belief that so many at tins side of tlio world regarded the treaty effected by Sir C . Hotham and the Chevalier St . Georges , for opening up tlio grenfc South American rivers , iw certain to bo a virtual dead letter . Yet two yoara huve not elapsed since the ratification of that treaty , when wo find Briffadler-Oenoral Solano Lopez , sou of the l ' resldont of Paraguay , and Minister Plcnipotontlary to Great Britain and France , returning to his country in ft flnxi storuncr expressly built for him in tlio Thames , to bo followed by several others , Tlio command of means to make purchases necessarily bo costly exhibits pecuniary resources to which tlio treaBury of Paraguay wns supposed to be inadequate , whilo its executive was believed to be incapable of

      employing them in a manner so enlightened but so little in keeping with its antecedents . Sanguine expectation may Indeed "be fornied of a country whose admission into the community of nations is signalised by so promising and unlooked-for a demonstration . It is not yet known if the whole of the intended steam fleets—some six or eight in allare to be fitted in the manner of the pioneer vessel which is already on its way to Asuncion , the capital of Paraguay , on the river of the same name ; but it is believed that some of them , at least , will be more adapted to strictly commercial purposes than the one in questidn , namely , the Tacuari , which has been constructed by Messrs . J . and A . } 51 yth , the eminent marine engineers of Inmeliouse .

      Considering the difficulty of obtaining hands in these stirring times , it is worthy of note that the Tacuari should he provided -with a picked crew of Englishmen , engineers , stokers , and officers , in the same ratio as on board of a British man-of-war steamer of corresponding size and armament .

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      WHAT IS TO BE DCWE IN PERSIA . Sobeb importance , wheth « r deserved or not remains to be seen , has been given to the question of the position of Persia in the ouarrel between England and Russia ; and how the game is to be played on our Indian frontier—who is to pull the strings of the Persian puppet— -is not yet decided , but it appears from good authority that Great Britain has still the best chance . It is said : — ' * The appointment of a man of talent to be the British representative at Teheian will no doubt be followed by the fall of Russian influence in -that weak and -wavering monarchy . The advantages -which the Czar possesses in the contiguity of his empire , the vigilance of

      his past policy , and the belief of his irresistible strength , are so great , that it is wonderful that Persia should have refrained from hostilities against Turkiey for so long a time . That delusive expedient , a glance at the map , ' might lead one ta imagine that the fear of England ought to be greater atthe court of Teheran than thefear of Hussia . A fevsr days -would be sufficient to send a large force from Bombay to Bushire , furnished with every aid to eastern warfare , whilst the coasts © f the gulf would be at the mercy of our steamers ^ and all communication with Europe cut off by our supremacy in the Black Sea . The forrcea of Russia , on the contrary , are hardly sufficient to guard the Asiatic provinces which she has already won . In spite of the profligacy

      and imbecility of the Turkish commanders , the forces of the Czar have not been , able to march from Gumri to Kars , solely because their communications -were in danger , and because they were weak and wasted , with a thousand miles between them , and their country , and implacable mountain tribes behind . But a Persian . Shah cannot be expected to have extended political knowledge , and even less barbarous personages are chiefly affected by what is brought more immediately near them . The dominant class in Persia , to which the Shah and his principal advisers belong , have their origin in the northern provinces . The Boyal race of the Kadjas are from Azerbijan , a frontier province always exposed to the inroads of the Russians , and containing a popu-.

      lation accustomed to look upon the Czar as something little less than . a god , while their . ideas of any other European country jare extremely vague . On the other hand , the southern provinces , on which English power can principally act , arc peopled by a kind of subject race , and their interest and influence aTe but of slight irnportanco to the aristocracy of the north . The essence and strength of Persia are therefore in the Russianised country which lies on the Kur and the Caspian , and we shall have to break through the prejudices and terrors of znuny years before tie Persian Stato can be brought into a league against its powerful protector and enemy . There is a good deal of Ottoman obstinacy in this

      dominant raco , who are of kin to the Turks , and whoso , name is generally spelt Too-rk for tho sake of dietinction . They are tho most enterprising peoples of the empire , and carry on tho greater part of tho little trade . The fine-looking men in high pointed caps who are met with in tho Levantine towns are generally of Toork race , and speak Turkish among themselves . Yot they arc fanatical Slioahs , and have been taught to hate tho Osmainli moro than tho Infidel . Tabriz : ia their principal seat , a town fust rising to # re / it prosperity , and they fapcy that tho Ilussiana uro all-powerful for good or harm aa far an they aro concornccl j of tho empire at largo thoy have little notion .

      " Tho Russians have n great hold over Nasroddin Shah by having in their ciwtody Bahman Mrrzn , undo to tho reigning sovereign and pretender to tho throno . This princo wivs taken after « n uiiaucccsnful intrigue , and detained ia Georgia , where he in said to bo ntill . Tho Shall hntt always felt great terror nt the idea of 1 » 1 h liberation , and tho throat will , no doubt , ho held out aa a moans of keeping him firm in his all < ttfianco . " Tho Shah , who i » about twonty-threc years of ago , In like Shuns ia gancrnl ; but the Grand Vizier in said to bo a sensible man , and inclined to the Turkish alliance . For tho negative success already obtained in restraining Pornia from on open alliance with tho enemy , much credit in duo tu Achmot Eflcndi , tho moot able of tho younger Turks , and by many considered aa the futuro

      saviour of his country . For some months lie has laboured at Teheran to bring about an alliance with Turkey against the enemy which both had to dread . The great difficulty was the inveterate sectarian hatred between Sunni and Sheah , exasperated by the late occurrences at the Persian holy places . The tombs of All and his son , the unhappy Hussein , are dear to every Sheah . They are situate in the Pashalic of Bagdad , far beyond the frontier of Persia , and for ages have been visited by the devout from the Euphrates to the Indian Archipelago . A sort of independent jurisdiction was granted them or acquired by prescription , and , as in the casfe of European sanctuaries , the independence was much abused . Kerbelah became in course of time a refuge for outlaws of every kind , and from the holy precincts they carried on their ravages until the surrounding country became almost impassable . The Pasha-of

      Bagdad at last determined to crush the nuisance . He advanced with a large force and took Kerbelah by storm . Tie tomb of Hussein was -violated , and the anger of the Persians flamed high . All the old disputes broke out again , and the boundary question afforded a pretext for incessant border hostilities . The boundary commission was afterwards appointed , and seems to have done its work well . Aa to the holy place , it seems allowed that the Persians are entitled to some compensation , which will probably . no longer be refused . But the rancour of the rival sects made the task of Achmet Eflfrndi extremely difficult . He might cajole or terrify the . Court , b- u £ he could hardly expect to rouse the people against tie Russians and to create an enthusiasm similar to that ¦ with / which the Turks have fought . He , however , determined boldly to throw himself on those very religious feelings of the Persian people from which so much hostility was to be dreaded .

      " He -went among the priests , represented the common , danger of Islainism , urged that their minor differences should be forgotten for the present , promised concessions ia the matter of the Sheah holy places , and even certain privileges at the still more holy shrines of Mecca and Medina . The success of the plan is said to he beyond all hope . " A strong feeling has been raised against the Muscovite infidels , which has been r increased by the example of the still more remote TMahomedans of Afghanistan and India , whom the Persians have heard to enthusiastic in the Sultan ' s cause .., " VVhether the reconciliation will survive the danger which has caused it is impossible to be predicted ; but it is not unlikely that the union and consolidation of the JIahomedan world , which have been proceeding for the last twenty yeara , will be still further advanced Toy the suppression

      of these old animosities . At any rate it is a great thing erven to excite a temporary enthusiasm , for without it Eastern soldiers are worthless , and -with it , tliey can do a great deal . "Where military discipline and skilfulness of command cannot he looked for , the only hope of success is in such a fanaticism as caused the Albanians and Egyptian Fellahs to rush hand to' hand upon the Russian regiments at Arab Tabia . Though tlie Persians have never shown themselves equal in obstinate valour to the Turks , yet , on some , occasions they have fought well under the influence of strong excitement . In the late war , tho" defeat of the Russians by Abbas Mirza , a princo of great popularity and religious influence , is a . proof that tho . Persian . races are not so degenerate as the servility of the Government and the utter collapse of ompire would lead tlio politician to believe .

      " On the whole Persia has not behaved badly ; on the contrary , her conduct has been far better than could have been expected . That tho Government must be thoroughly frightened , and made to understand that its safety lies in siding with us , is quite clear . Tha fall of Sobastopol will have a great effect on tliis Eastern State , as well as on a more civilised but congenial kingdom in Europe . It would bo as well , however , to abstain from threats and violenco , for the Persians are disposed ttlowly to come over to our alliance , and by next spring , when their services may be required , will no doubt bo wholly converted to tho viewa of Turkey and the "Western Powers . Kvory day weakens Itusnin , and iuUIh to tho strength of tho nations banded together ugnin . it her . A renewal of good feeling between tho two greatest " Mahomcdan l ' owerw , orcftted by a wiuo ami gentlo policy , will be in tho end of far greater importance than tho addition of a few r « w lovitw drugged \ t )> agaimt tlio Russians in obedience to tho command of a terrified and bewildered Shah .

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      M 1 SCELLA . NEOUS . Sujjoay at EniNmmun . — Tho cabnion of Edinburgh are thinking of following the example of tliuir brethren at Glangow , ami coming to work on Sunday . They arc induced to take tlii » stop by a notion that it in religious , and that their pay -will not bo reduced . Mil . LOOKJIAKT '» SlJCMlIMMOU IN TlilC DUCHY OH LANtJANTWit . — It appear * Unit Mr . Lockhnrt ia sue . ceeded in 1 »« h AuuiUmtliip by Mr . Uurtulawi , who wai appointed in that contliifloncy in May last . A cor respondent of tho Timan romindo uh , that that waa jua tho period when Mr . tftrutt wan cjnetod . from th Chancellorship , nml miggentrt that tho ejectment was a tho instigation of Lord John HiihhcII , who can htand good deal , but could nut Htand Itortolaoci . Ho ala Miggoatti that aiaJi oJHuoh might b « rcHcrveil for Uterar men .

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      I ) Edii ^ iE ^ 9 , 1854 . ] q ? ECE XEADiBtBI . 1161 ;

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 9, 1854, page 1161, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2068/page/9/