There is nothing very definite from the Crimea. The allies were to begin the siege at all points on the 10th or 12th inst. Nevertheless, speculators were busy in circulating a report that the place had already fallen.
THE WAR.—The latest official dispatch is of date no later than October 3d, and is from General Canrobert to the French Minister of War. No fresh military operation had been effected since the taking possession of Balaklava. The two armies (French and English) were established in an excellent military position, the English drawing its materiel and provisions from Balaklava, and the French, from two small bays to the North of Cape Chersonesus. The position of the two armies had naturally determined their mode of distribution on the ground before Sevastopol. The French will have the left of the attack, from the sea to the southern fort; and the English will take the right from the southern fort to the ruins of Inkermann. The French army is divided into two corps—the first under Gen. Forey, and composed of the third and fourth divisions, will make the siege; the second under the command of Gen. Bosquet, and comprising the first and second divisions, will form the corps of observation. The Turkish division will be placed in reserve, according to circumstances. Similar arrangements have been made by the English; one portion of their force will assist in the attacks against the place, and the other part, forming a corps of observation, will be united with the corps of Gen. Bosquet. These arrangements (says Gen Canrobert) are of a nature to remove all doubt as to the result of the siege.
The English press unanimously believe that Sevastopol must fall in a few days; but last advices from Constantinople are somewhat gloomy. The Turks, well aware that the expedition to the Crimea was undertaken against the advice of all the Admirals and Generals, with the exception of Marshal St. Arnaud and Sir E. Lyons, entertain strong doubts about the success of the siege.
In Asia the defeats of the Turks, though strategically unimportant, have weakened the prestige of the central power of the Sultan, and robbery and anarchy begin to show themselves every where. Greek freebooters infest the neighborhood of Smyrna, and Turkish robbers disturb the highlands of Armenia. Several French officers are said to have been murdered on their way to the Turkish army, and the army itself is demoralized by the frequent changes of commanders.