The Press. — London, England, 1856-01-26 00:00:00

78 ( I or ti g n derrespoithatt. FRANKFORT, Jan. 22. WHATEVER may have been said by continental jour nals in the service of Austria, Prussia, and Germany, as to the exalted attitude and prepotent ability of those countries to insist on peace, is a miserable falsehood palpable to all. It is a fact that they have had nothing to do in the matter beyond urging Russia in an unseemly tone to concede the terms de manded by the allies, be they what they might. The vast treasures lavished by the Court of St. Peters burg in Germanic corruption have been in vain. When the hour of danger arrived, really and truly, the petty kings and princes were found wanting, in capable of resistance, and not disposed to risk any danger for the sake of Russia. Yet they had re ceived the thirty pieces of silver, and had sworn to betray Europe. Prussia and Germany have been actuated by a dread of consequences, from the fear of French armies, and of the naval and gigantic armaments of England. The Cabinet of Vienna waited the course of events under conflicting engagements with all parties. The fall of Sebastopol was embarrassing—Austrian rela tions with Russia immediately chilled, and on the taking of Kinburn became thoroughly frozen. Success on the part of the allies being no longer conjectural, the Cabinet of Vienna drew up proposi tions, sanctioned by England and France, but with out direct participation as initiative, and sent them by the Minister, Count Esterhazy, to St. Petersburg. Austria now maintains to have kept faith with Russia by a declaration to the allies that she would not take the field in their favour during the present year 1856 ; and, on the other hand, that her observance of the December treaty has been faithful by the menace of suspended relations with St. Petersburg. The Vienna propositions were submitted for the approval of England and France, wherein the cession of territory occupied by the allied troops was to be bartered for a portion of Bessarabia, comprising the entire course of the river Pruth, by which Russia would be deprived of access to the Danube, and cease to be a "riverain " power. The delta of the Danube and the northern fortresses were also to be relinquished. The neutralisation of the Black Sea, the Christian protectorate, and the question of the princi • palities, with additional provisions, were recapitulated as of old. These stipulations were pro Canto satisLc tory to E ngland and France ; hut, without entering into precise explanation with Austria, they added a" rider," in the shape of a firth clause, empowering them to add such further conditions as they (the allies) might judge to be necessary for the general safety and interest of Europe. It must be added that Russia had requested for Prussia to be permitted a voice in the conferences for peace, to which England and France sent a peremptory negative. Prussia from the beginning was hostilely neutral, ostentatiously avowed sympathy for Russia, and declined interference. The King sent special envoys to England and France, who returned from their mission without honour or profit. Prussia was re fused a place at the Conference of Vienna. The anger and abuse of France by her Ministers b, came rabid, and increased in proportion to the mischances of Russia. When the climax approached, the Prus sian troops were told at Coblentz to prepare for action. Against whom? That has been officially and Ministerially answered by M. de Gerlach. Before the last Austrian ultimatum was despatched to St. Petersburg, Prussia was solicited to be a consenting party, under the caution that a refusal on her part would deprive her of having a voice in the subsequent discussions for aEu opean peace. Prussia peremp torily declined, and thereby has forfeited her place in the forthcoming council of nations. Her loss is that of station and character. The lesser kingdoms and principalities of Germany have been deceitful from the first. In the word they have been perseveringly vituperative of the allies ; and the assertion of M. de Pfordten that Bavaria has been the chief instrument in bringing about a pacific result, is only to be met with derision. The princi • palities can be considered but as bales of political merchandise, ticketed with the name of the last purchaser. They have this difference with bales of ordinary merchandise—that they are not worth the purchase-money. In one word, Russia has been betrayed by her friends; but she may rely on the word and faith of the allies, as they on their side are prepared to give full value to her engagements. J. E. L. THE PRESS. 3artign anb (colonial initiligente. FRANCE. The prospects of peace seem generally admittesl by the French papers to be highly favorable. The Steele alone maintains that the objects of the war have not yet been attained, and that the problem of " European equilibrium " has yet to be resolved. The news of the acceptance by Russia of the Aus trian proposals had created an immense sensation throughout France. "Everywhere," says the Debats, "it was hailed with universal satisfaction." Although during the week no new fact relative to any further advance in the progress of the peace negotiations has been elicited, the usual amount of rumour, state ment, and counter-statement, has appeared in the French papers. The general opinion of the French press is that an armistice will be agreed to, and a conference decided on either at Dresden or Paris, as soon as the Austrian proposals are signed by the contracting powers. The question of Prussia's ad mission to the conference is vehemently opposed by the Siicle, though not much regarded by the other pal e.'s. 'l'llo French Government has issued orders to pro visionally suspend the exportation of munitions of war to the East. The Council of War has terminated its labours, and was broken up at the commencement of the week. The report, of the subj3cts considered during its sittings are held under seal by the two Go vernments. A great ceremony took place at the British Em bassy on Wednesday, when General Bosquet and several French officers were invested with the Order of the Bath by Lord Cowley. AUSTRIA. Nothing has transpired relative to the contents of the autograph letter of the Czar to the Emperor, de livered by Cou_it Stackelberg on the 18th. Prince Gortschakoff had received a copy of the protocol signed by Count Nesselrode and Count Esterhazy, recording the acceptance by Russia of the Austrian proposals. The German papers were unanimous in their belief that peace would shortly be concluded. At Vienna the proposals were thought to permit the maintenance of Nicolaieff, and also of the Russian forts on the Circassian coast. The official intercourse between Prince Gortscha koff and the Ambassadors of France and England is reported to have recommenced on the 18th, after Count Stackelberg's interview with the Emperor. PRUSSIA. The participation of Prussia in the approaching peace conferences is one principal subject discussed just now at Berlin. Russia, it is loudly stated, only acceded to the Austrian proposals in consequence of the earnest representation of Prussia, who at length determined to declare her sentiments and support the Austrian ultimatum. Such co-operation at so decisive a moment is held to ba of sufficient im portance to entitle Prussia to a place at the approach. ing conferences. Austria is said to support Prussia in these pretensions. An article upon the recent policy of Prussia, by M. de Sacy, in the Mats, contains some features of interest. The mission of Colonel Manteuffel to Vienna, where be is still remaining, is here fully explained:— Whilst M. de Seebach laboured at St. Petersburg to re establish peace, the King of Prussia despatched to Vienna Colonel Manteuffel, who, according to our correspondents, was charged with the mission of assuring himself if Austria would fulfil the engagements she had taken in the first article of the treaty of alliance, offensive and defensive, signed with Prussia at Berlin on the 30th of April, 11.54, by which Austria was to consider every attack directed against the German or non German territories of Prussia as an hostile enterprise directed against her own territory ; if, consequently, Prussia could count on the action of Austria to protect her rights and interest, already touched by the menace of a blockade of her ports. He was also to demand explanations on the subject of the memorandum agreed to on the 38th December between the Cabinets of Paris, London, and Vienna, which had excited just alarm at Berlin, because one of the clauses excluded Prussia from future negotiations if she hesitated longer in conforming to the policy of Austria, and supporting formally the last propositions made at St. Petersburg. This mission of Colonel Manteuffel excited numerous and difficult ques tions, and was calculated to cause much embarrassment to the Cabinet of Vienna. The colonel demanded categorical replies, which Count Buol did not hasten to afford him. At last, after reiterated demands, the Prussian Envoy ob tained satisfactory explanations. Austria was far more engaged with the Western powers than was supposed by the King Frederick William. Not only had she promised to recal her Minister on the 18th of January if the Cabinet of St. Petersburg had not accepted purely and simply the propositions she advanced, but was ready to conclude with France and England a military convention which would have received its execution in April. Thus, in the spring, Austria would have given to the allies the assistance of her armies, which would have made r useful diversion by operating on the Gallician frontier. As soon as the King of Prussia became acquainted with these views he per- SATURDAY, ceived that no ground for hesitation existed either for him. self or for Russia. It is said that the King hastened to acquaint the Czar with the information received at Vienne, which confirmed accounts received from elsewhere, and counselled him with firmness to accept, without restric• lion, the proposals of Austria, declaring for his part that he could not permit Prussia to run such terrible chances, and should be obliged to modify his policy in approaching towards that of the Western powers. Two pressing letters written in this sense to the Czar and to the Grand Duke Constantine are spoken of. The letters of the King a Prussia explained the motives, hitherto obscure, which hsd animated the conduct of Austria ; and the advice of M. do S,ebach was remembered by M de Nesseliode and the Emperor Alexander. All these circumstances, skilfully presented by M. de Nesselrode, struck the most decided partisans of war, and the most declared enemies of peace; and the Emperor, supported by the Council of State, ac. cepted those very conditions which had been declined a few days before not admissible. It is believed that the preliminaries of peace will be signed shortly at Vienna. RUSSIA. No reliable information has yet been received from St. Petersburg of the effect upon the country of tl Czar's adhesion to the Austrian proposals. The Ber lin Journal of the 23rd says that an advice from St. Petersburg of Jan. 21 states that Russia will not disappoint the hopes of Europe, nor allow herself to be prevented by minor points in carrying on the work of conciliation. She hopes her moderation will be acknowledged as it deserves to be. Active preparations were still being pushed forward at all the arsenals and principal ports, in the eventu ality of the war continuing, and a great trade had been carried on lately in all the Baltic ports. TURKEY AND THE PRINCIPALITIES. The administration of the Turkish Loan, by all accounts, does not progress satisfactorily. ltedschid Pacha, the Minister of War, views the interference of the allied commissioners as vexatious and unnc cessary, and refuses to give account of every item purchased for the army. The commissioners there upon refuse to advance any further sums, and theta the question at present rests. The effect of the fall of Kars was gradually sub siding, and Omer Pacha, though not held entirely free from blame, was gradually regaining his ground with the public and the Sultan. The arrival of Colonel Simmons and Mr. Longworth from the Sirdar's camp is supposed to have had a favorable effect. The construction of the Kusten.iie canal and railway from the Danube to the Blau Sea, has at last been decided upon by the Turkish Government. The firman has been granted, and a free port at Touzla Bay is moreover permitted to be established. The fate and fdture of the Princ : palities, it was believed, would shortly be considered by the special commissioners appointed at a series of conferences. SPAIN. The Cabinet crisis has at length terminated, and though the constitution of the Cabinet does not yet appear to be definitively settled, it is believed that the following modification will hold good : Espartero, President of Council, as before, without a portfolio—O'Donnell, War—Bruil, Finance—Antonio Gon zalez, Foreign Affairs—La Serna, Grace and Justice— Escosura, Home Department—Luxan, Public Works — General Zabala, Marine—Major-General Santa Cruz to go to Cuba, with the rank of Lieutenant-General, and the charge of Naval Commander-in-Chief at the Havanuah. The Queen refused to accept the resignations of MM. de Zabala, Bruil, and Santa Cruz. DENMARK. The conferences upon the Sound dues opened on. the sth instant, the Danish Government proposing I plan for the capitalisation of the dues. As the• various documents and statistical tables were not quite prepared, the meeting was adjourned till the• st. M. Brunn has accepted the office of Member of the High Court of Justice, which is to try the im peached Ministers. FOREIGN MISCELLANEA. PRINCE ADOLPH HOME NLOHE INOELFINOEN has been elected President of the Prussian House of Notables, in the room of the deceased Prince of Pless. THE EMPEROR ALEXANDER AND BARON SEEBACit had a most affecting and melodramatic interview, it is according to the Indipendance Belge. The Czar , said, threw himself into the arms of the Saxotz Minister, wept aloud, and spoke touchingly of his father, his own childhood, and the happier days wlito he had shaken M. Seebach by the hand; but, suddenly recovering his Imperial dignity, observed in a firm tone that he trusted M. Seebach bad not come " hoping to weaken him !" The Paris correspondent of the Indipendanee Belge is no doubt a remarkably well-informed person. PRINCE PASKIEWITCH, it is now feared, cannot sur vive for any long period. The cancer has shown itself externally. The brave old veteran is said to bear his sufferings with much resignation, and to be prepared to meet that death which has been so often denied him in the field. ‘