The royal mail steamship Arabia arrived from Liverpool the 4th inst.
THE WAR.—Actual operations exhibit no new features, but every Power in Europe continues to arm—France, England, and Russia on an immense scale.
Sir Charles Napier is appointed to the command of the Baltic allied fleets, and Admiral Seymour is in command of over twenty ships already assembled at Spithead. The ice in the port was breaking up, and part of the Russian fleet at Cronstadt was ready to sail.
AFFAIRS ON THE DANUBE.—On the Danube the deep snow prevented any movement by either army. The weather was becoming milder, and the Russians were making ostentatious preparations to cross the Danube. Omer Pacha was evidently aware of their plans, and was making dispositions of his force to check them. Some military men think that the Russians, notwithstanding their demonstrations, do not intend to attack Kalafat, but wish to entrap the Turks to come out. There has been considerable fighting by small parties whenever they had come in contact, but no decisive action. The Turks no longer occupied any place but Kalafat north of the Danube.
From Asia there have been no further advices. Another convoy of 10,000 men were preparing to leave Constantinople for Batoum. The Greek insurrection was in a fair way of being suppressed. Several British ships of war were ordered from Malta to Piræus. The Pacha of Janina had defeated the Greek insurrectionists at Arta, but had not sufficient force to disperse them. The Pacha had issued a proclamation calling on the Scutarians and Catholic Albanians to remain faithful. The Turkish government, in concert with the British, French and Prussian, had addressed a remonstrance to the Greek Court, which had apologized, and dismissed the Minister of Police; but the government is powerless. The Turks were concentrating a force in Elbasson, under command of the distinguished Halil Pacha. The insurrection does not extend further north than Albania. Montenegro is quiet.
A LAST NOTE FROM ENGLAND AND FRANCE TO THE CZAR.—A statement is current that couriers are on their way to St. Petersburg with a joint note from England and France, demanding a categorical reply within one week, whether the Czar will evacuate the Principalities before April 30—a refusal, or no answer, by the 18th or 20th of March, to be considered as a declaration of war against the allies. The reply will be laid before Europe. Again, though such vacillation is scarcely creditable, it is said that the Czar signifies through Austria some other modification of negotiations.
The fact that Austria adheres to the Allied Powers was officially announced by the Emperor Napoleon to the French Legislature. She will not, however, be called on at present to take offensive measures against Russia, but merely to keep peace on the frontiers.
The Vienna correspondent of the Times says, under date 2d—"An Austrian manifesto is about to announce that Austrians will occupy Bosnia and Servia." There was a panic in consequence on the Vienna bourse.
THE CZAR'S ANSWER TO NAPOLEON.—The St. Petersburg Journal of the 24th contains the following as the substance of the answer sent by the Czar to the Emperor Napoleon:—"If his Imperial Majesty extends his hand to me as I extend mine, I am ready to forget the mortification I have experienced, harsh though it be. Then, but then only, can I discuss the subject treated of in his letter, and may, perhaps, arrive at an understanding. Let the French fleet prevent the Turks from transporting re-inforcements to the theatre of war, and let the Emperor send me a plenipotentiary to negotiate with, whom I will receive as befits his character. The conditions already made known to the Conference at Vienna are the sole basis on which I will consent to treat."
Austria has decided in conjunction with the Western Powers, to summon Russia to evacuate the Principalities, and, if necessary, to employ force to compel her to do so.
The Brussels Independence Belge publishes a Hamburg letter of Feb. 28, which states the Russian fleet was preparing to leave Cronstadt, probably with the view to gain the sea before the arrival of the combined fleets.
RUSSIA AND SWEDEN.—The negotiations between the Russian and Swedish governments have not yet terminated, and it is feared at Stockholm that Russia, in order to give more weight to the demands, will make a demonstration by sending its fleets to that capital.
GREAT BRITAIN.—The war continued to be quite popular, although not without a shade of anxiety. The additional estimates for the army and navy were considered moderate.
FRANCE.—The Emperor opened the legislative session of 1854, on Thursday, the 2d inst. His speech commenced by referring to the deficient harvest, 7,000,000 hectolitres of wheat having been imported, and more on the way. Famine has been averted, but war is beginning. France has gone as far as honor permitted to avoid a collision, but must now draw the sword. She has no views of aggrandizement. The days of conquest are passed, never to return.
SPAIN.—An insurrection of quite a formidable nature had taken place at Saragossa. The insurgents for a considerable time held the castle of Aljaferia and other strong positions. A brigade horse regiment revolted, and the Captain General attacked them with three columns of infantry and some cannon. Several horses were killed, but the insurgents retained possession of the castle that night, but the next day, losing courage, they retreated and the royal troops took possession of the city, and some cavalry pursued the fugitives. The city was placed under martial law and disarmed. Madrid and the whole province is placed in a state of siege. A general insurrection is considered probable.
PRUSSIA.—Russia demands that Prussia shall at least close her ports nearest Russia against French and English ships. Berlin letters say that Prussia is not willing to accede to this demand. Prussia has granted her officers in the Turkish service permission to remain.
Russia makes the same demand on Swedish ports. The reply was not known. England and France request Denmark to allow the allies' fleets to take up their station at Kiel. The reply was unknown. Both Denmark and Sweden have ordered their citizens in the Russian naval service to return home. The treaty of commerce between France and Belgium is signed.