THE BALTIC.—France and England have decided to dismantle and abandon the fortifications at Bomarsund and in the Aland Islands. They were so badly damaged and wanted so large a garrison to hold them against the enemy, that it was not considered expedient to retain them. It is said they were offered to Sweden on condition of her declaring against Russia, but Sweden refuses to accept on these terms.
On the 26th ult. Napier and Marshal d'Hilliers, proceeded to Hango, in the sight of the Russians, blew up the fortifications and retreated to Abo, where there are 15,000 men in garrison.
The cholera was very bad at Bomarsund, particularly among the French troops. It is stated from Copenhagen that Gen. Baraguay d'Hilliers had offered the king of Sweden fourteen millions of francs for the first month, and seven millions for the succeeding months, as a subsidy to be paid on his actively joining the western powers. The British Envoy had had several audiences of the king.
THE BLACK SEA.—The expedition to the Crimea was appointed to sail on the 20th August, although some reports stated the 30th. It was composed of 70,000 men, of whom 20,000 were Turks. The cholera was rather less virulent. The damage done by the fire at Varna was estimated at half a million sterling, and the allied troops were put to great straits by the destruction of part of their Commissariat.
Dates from Constantinople to the 17th of August do not confirm the defeat of the Turks at Kars.
On the 22d Omer Pasha, with 25,000 men and 30 guns, entered Bucharest. His reception was enthusiastic.
The cholera continues at Varna. Stormy weather prevailed on the Black Sea. A private dispatch from Varna, dated the 24th ult., says, five ships with troops sailed yesterday, and six to-day. Destination a secret. Opinions gain currency that the first destination of the expedition will be Anapa, and that the fleets will winter there.