The R. M. Steamship Africa, from Liverpool, at 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon, April 22, arrived at New York on Friday morning about 7 1/2 o'clock.
The news is interesting, but without any event of startling magnitude.
RATIFICATION OF THE TREATY BETWEEN FRANCE AND ENGLAND.
The convention between the French and English governments, which was signed a few days ago in London, has already been ratified. The object of this closer alliance of the two powers is the re-establishment of peace between Russia and Turkey on a permanent basis, and the preservation of Europe from the dangers which have disturbed the general peace. For this purpose, and in order to rescue the dominions of the Sultan from foreign invasion, the English and French governments agree to combine their naval and military forces in a manner sufficient to accomplish the result they have in view. They bind themselves not to accept any proposition for the cessation of hostilities against Russia without having communicated to each other the nature of such overtures. They distinctly disclaim all exclusive advantage to themselves from the events which may arise, and they invite the rest of Europe to co-operate with them in alliance destined solely to protect the public interests of Europe. This important convention seems to supply the necessary basis to the operations in which the French and English forces are now engaged.
It will be remembered that the last propositions that were made from St. Petersburg amounted to an offer to evacuate the Principalities, if the allies would withdraw from the Baltic and Black Sea. Such a proposition was regarded by France and England as altogether inadmissible, and was, therefore, refused. Indeed, the Czar's evident object in making the proposal was to satisfy the most pressing demand of the German powers, and so detach them from the Quadruple Conference. It is, therefore, important and significant to note that, since the rejection of these terms by England and France, the last protocol of the Conference has nevertheless been signed by the representatives of all the four powers, and we have yet to learn what the next move of the Russian Cabinet will be on the receipt of this intelligence.
FROM THE BALTIC.—From Kiel, 16th, it was stated that all the Russian ports in the Baltic are under blockade. The number of Russian merchant ships now captured amounts to ten. On the 19th, the English fleet was telegraphed off Gothland. On the 12th, eighteen Russian ships-of-the-line were lying at Helsingfors; they seemed as if they intended to pass over to Revel. Admiral Plumridge had been watching them with four frigates, and ere this Napier must have come up with his squadron, intending, doubtless, to attack them.
From Copenhagen on the 18th, it is reported that four Russian ships, laden with cargo, were captured in the Baltic on the 17th, and carried past there as prizes for London.
FROM THE DANUBE.—Official advices to April 10, and private letters to 12th, state that nothing of importance had occurred. Both parties continually reconnoitre, and consequently skirmishes take place, but nothing more.
An Austrian paper of the 18th, contains the following dispatch: "The important frontier town of Fokshani, in Wallachia, which had just been fortified, was destroyed by an accidental fire. All the Russian stores, provisions, and arms, also the military hospitals, fell a prey to the flames."
A letter from Varna, dated March 31, gives the following clear and concise account of the recent proceedings of the armies: "The Russians, after waiting a few days at Galatch, advanced on Matshin with 26,000 men, including a large force of artillery, but with few cavalry. The Turks had only two battalions at Matshin, and retired before the enemy toward Silistria, where they are in force. The Russians have also thrown a considerable force over the Danube at Hirsova. All the Turkish troops in the Dobrodja, to the number of several thousands, have been concentrated upon Karasu, with the intention of falling back on Shumla and Varna. Three steamers were dispatched from the fleet to Kostendje to intercept and bring to Varna any Russian transports or provision ships they might fall in with. Not having found any at Kostendje, they have proceeded to the Danube. The Pasha of Varna has made application for more troops. He has only 3,000 with at present. The works are so extensive that he would require 12,000 men to defend the place, as he could get but little assistance from the fleets. There are many thousand quarters of grain in Varna, and more daily arriving. Omer Pasha has withdrawn 10,000 men from Widdin to re-enforce his troops in the Dobrodja, and has applied to the Porte for further assistance."
From Shumla, April 2, letters state that the Russian force on the Turkish side of the Danube was about 50,000 men. They had already advanced to Babadagh, and held all the country of the Dobrodja as far as Karasu. Omer Pasha is perfectly aware of his deficiency in cavalry, and the disadvantage of risking an engagement in the open plains of Bulgaria. He was, therefore, concentrating as many troops as possible, principally infantry, in the neighborhood of Shumla. There were at the above date (April 2,) upward of 20,000 men at Shumla, and more were hourly arriving from the reserve at Adrianople, and some of the posts on the Danube. Ishmael Pasha, the hero of Tshetate, had arrived from Turtukai, and it was expected that 50,000 men would be assembled at Shumla by 10th April.
THE GREEK INSURRECTION.—A circular of Lord Stratford de Redcliffe inveighs with great asperity on the proceedings of the Greeks, and of the Greek Government, and declares that the movements of the insurgents are not spontaneous, but are prompted by Russia. The expulsion of Greeks is carried on with rigorous severity. Every steamer that leaves for Syria is crowded with these unfortunates, many of whom are reduced to a state of complete poverty.