It was not possible that the declaration of war could
ostensibly hasten the merely preparatory movements towards active hostilities, North and South, since those preparations were already proceeding at a speed which can scarcely be accelerated. We have little more to do, therefore, than to note the stages of advancement attained by our forces. The arrival of the British fleet at Kiel, the actual en- gagement of forty Prussian pilots, and the gradual straggling up of ships both from England and France, are the facts which indi- cate the advance of preparations by Sir Charles Napier to negotiate with Russia in the rough language to which he is accustomed. It is calculated that by Monday last 4000 Frenchmen would land at Gallipoli, the Turkish rendezvous for the French and English contingents ; and our own men will not be much behind, especially since the report of Turkish losses on the Danube has been con- firmed. With an attempt upon Turtukai, which is probably a feint, the Russians have succeeded in crossing the lower Dannb9, and in establishing themselves in the Dobrudscha' with some damage to the Turks. Whatever may be the amount of this i everse, the Sul- tan is now firm in the organized alliance of the Western Powers, and in what appears to be the genuine coiiperation of Austria.
The position of Greece becomes distinctly more troublesome. The insurrection increases; and the King, who is on strong grounds suspected of having encouraged it, has pleaded that he can no longer repress his own people. Whether malignant or impotent, the Greek Government has been called sternly to account : the Turkish Minister has left Athens; and the Western Powers have intimated to King Otho that if he cannot put down the insurgent invasion his capital shall be blockaded. Something is still going on between Prussia and Austria, the nature of which is indicated by the official papers. Prussia is still labouring to moderate the action of Austria ; but a change is com- ing over affairs at Berlin, favourable apparently to the alliance. The Duke of Parma has been assassinated at Turin ; and the state which he had abandoned to his English Prime Minister, Baron Ward, has exiled the groom-statesman and appointed the Duchess Regent. On the whole, this incident promises greater tranquillity in Parma than the duchy has been able to enjoy under the irri- tating government of its Duke. Spain has no such fortune : her royal incubus remains undisturb- ed ; and Mr. Soule has received instructions from President Pierce to claim compensation for repeated aggressions upon Americans in Cuba, of which the violent search of the Bite* Warrior steam-ship is only the last. The affairs of Cuba have beoome extremely eora- plicated, and it is probable that Spain will rather risk a war than give up all the compensations which the United States will de- mand.
