The Press. — London, England, 1856-02-02 00:00:00

FEBRUARY 2, 1856. Russia preserves firmness and dignity. The Cabinet of St. Petersburg declares that, "yielding to the desires of Europe, it accepts the propositions submitted as a basis for peace," and calls upon the entire Continent "to bear witness to the energetic attitude displayed in defence of national honour in front of a formidable coalition. Having maintained honour and dignity intact, the Imperial Govern ment is anxious to prove the sincerity of her wish in stopping a further effusion of blood. Il est en droit d'attendre que l'opinion de tons les pays civi lizes lui en tienne compte." As a brave enemy, Russia has a right to a respect summarily withheld from unworthy neutrals. It is to be hoped that the peaca about to be concluded with Russia will be with open hand, and in mutual confidence. Neither will England ever permit the position of that country to be depressed in favour of Germany and Austria without joining in the struggle as her ally. J. E. L. SIENA, Dec. 28. WHAT is to become of Italy ? In the ensuing con ferences, wherever they may be held, the affairs of the Italian peninsula cannot be legitimately dis cussed. In strict propriety, the Oriental question alone should form the subject of deliberation, but the mission of General Canrobert and the treaty of Sweden give a Northern aspect to affairs ; and Prus sia may, by logical ingenuity, torture the circum stance into a pretence for interference which must lead to a general congress. In fact, the elasticity of the fifth point, if used against the allies, may com prehend every political combination in Europe. It is perfectly understood that the southern kingdoms of Italy are in a state of complete disorganisation. Rome and Naples are controlled and kept in awe by bands of brigands. Bologna is beset by a Capo brigante with his gang, even unto the gates—the police are disgracefully ineffective—whilst in the Southern Apennines the bandits are in feud in the cause and for the honour of the Pope and Bombe. The Roman bravos exalt the supremacy of the "Sommo Pontefice" over the "Re assoluto" of Naples, and the Neapolitan assassins, in spite of the Jesuits, their absolving confessors, hold to the august attributes of the Bourbon lazzaroni—and they fight, which is more than the troops can do. Such grading state of affairs can never be permitted with impunity ; yet with the existing powers and the pre sent parties, Jesuit, ultramontane, despotic, constitu tional, republican, and Bonapartist, no lasting settlement can be made. Neither Governments nor parties have any stability or common mode of action. Sardinia is a real nucleus of a future and regenerated Italy. That country has fought its way to inde pendence, and has gained the honour and good will of England and France. For the opinion of other powers there is little care. Public attention is eagerly directed to the English House of Commons. Should the conferences be held in the neighbourhood of England, a watchful control will be exercised by Parliament over the dis cussions. Never was there a time when the House of Commons was armed with such power as at this moment. It is felt throughout the Continent, and is acknowledged in this Jesuit and priest-ridden country with gratitude and as a " Providence " for Italy. Great ignorance exists, however, as to the state of English politics and parties. There are only five public names, as it were, known to the Italians— those of Lords Derby and Stanley, Mr. Disraeli, and Lords Palmerston and Clarendon. It is but justice to state that Lord Palmerston alone, in the opinion of foreigners, constitutes the Ministry. His " helps " are unknown, and their worthlessness borders on the ridiculous. It is impossible that the country •can longer permit this loss of governmental reputation. The Italians, mystified by the division and subdivi sion of political cliques, have grouped them into two parties, " Sciocchi " and " Stentlardi." By the first are designated the Whigs, Radicals, Peelites, and Manchester men ; and the second applies to the Conservatives. The word is complimentary and sig• mficative, meaning the standards or bannerets o 7 patriotism, in distinction to the Whig-Liberals by whom they were deceived in 1815 20-30-48. Never was Mazzinian republicanism at a lower ebb. Many are joining the Anglo-Italian army, for, notwith stranding the prospects of peace, fresh recruits pour in daily. _ . M. T. A. THE LOMBARD AND VENETIAN BISHOPS refuse to withdraw their decrees against the liberty of the Tress. The Austrian Minister of Public Instruction insists, but the bishops are tenacious, and the first result of the Concordat will be speedily shown in a serious dispute between the temporal and ecclesias tical powers. So little do the clergy heed the inter ference of the Government, that in Lombardy they have already called upon the authorities to restore to the Church all buildings added to the domain of the State by the secularisation of convents and the suppression of the Jeuttits, THE PRESS. foreign anb ltolanial intelligence. FRANCE. The certainty that the conferee es will be held at Paris has checked further speculation upon that point. The concession of Russia to this proposal was communicated to Paris on Saturday by the following telegraphic despatch from Vienna:— Vienna, Saturday, Jan. 2U, one p.m. Russia proposes that the preliminaries of peace shall be signed at Paris. _ . . • She also expresses a strong desire to conclude peace as speedily as possible. The Emperor Napoleon has ordered apartments to he prepared for the reception of the diplomatists at the Elysee. The Constitutiontul states that the conferences will probably open some time between the 20th and 25th of next month, and that the " signature " of the preliminaries will not take place until the Congress has met, when an armistice will immediately follow. The Debats of the 28th contains an article upon the possible complications likely to arise from the "reserved rights " of the allies included in the fifth point, suggesting that if Russia were compelled to cede the question of fortifying Bomersund, she would demand a similar concession from England in the case of Heligoland, and a limitation to her ships in the Baltic. Count Buol and M. Hubner are mentioned as the representatives of Austria, M. Walewski of France, Lord Clarendon of England, Count Orloff and Baron Brunow of Russia ; the Turkish Minister at Paris and Fuad Effendi for Turkey, and M. d'Azeglio for Sardinia: — M. d'Azeglio (says the Conslitutionnen will represent the Court of Tutin in this congress, where the place of Sardinia is marked out, although she will not figure in exactly the same position as the remaining allies of Turkey. Although called upon to sign a defi nitive treaty of peace as a belligerent power, Piedmont will not participate in debates which do not touch either directly or indirectly her interests. The Siècle still obstinately continues to deny that the object of the war has been attained in the mere preservation of Turkey, or that peace will result from the approaching Congress. AUSTRIA. A telegraphic despatch from Vienna of Wednes day announces that : The Austrian Government, acting in the interest of Germany, will immediately lay the Esterhazy proposi• tions before the Frankfort Diet, and propose their Alleial recognition as preliminaries of peace, with a view to obtain a representation of Germany in the Congress. These propositions, telegraphed by Count Ester hazy and Count Nesselrode, arrived at Vienna on the 24th, and copies were at once forwarded to London and Paris. _ The Ost Deutsche Post of the 26th contained a short semi-official leading article upon the subject, giving the view which the Austrian Government takes of the obligations incurred by England, and affirming that the signature of the preliminaries cannot be deferred, as the honour of France and England are engaged:— Questions relative to interests may be settled at some future time, but matters of honour admit of no delay. It may he a matter of opinion whether Lord Palmerston in his policy likes straight or crooked paths, but no one dare doubt that England's First Minister is a gentleman who will pay his bill when due. The tone of both the Oat Deutsche Pcst and the (Esterreichische Zeitung has been remarkably hos tile to the English Ministerial papers. PRUSSIA. The admission of Prussia to the conference is the leading subject of discussion at Berlin. The official joarnal states that her participation in the negotia tions is certain, but does not define the extent of her share in the proceedings. France, it is further stated, has dropped all objection," though England continues to raise the same difficulties as before." The Morning Post of Wednesday authoritatively denied this state ment, and declared that Prussia would not be ad mitted to the conferences : Prussia, (said the Toss), having taken no part in the war, and having no recognised dais/ as a mediator, must be content to see the other powers of Europe ignore an in fluence which she has allowed to lie dormant, good offices which she has never exercised, and a position in Europe as a first-rate power which Prussia herself has voluntarily abandoned. The Post, however, admitted that should a treaty of peace be concluded, it was possible that Prussia might bo invited to give her signature to the docu• went. RUSSIA. The Indipendance Belye publishes the text of the despatch addressed by Count Nesselrode to Prince Gortschakoff, the Russian Ambassador at Vienne, when the counter-propositions were offered, by which the Russian Government first replied to the proposals presented by Count Valentine Esterhazy. Count Nesselrode explains the reasons why the fifth point was not acceptable first, on the ground 105 of its vagueness, which might lead to all sorts of un foreseen complications ; secondly, on the grounds that if the ccnditions the allies held in reserve were of interest to European order they ought t..) be ex amined by a European congress, and not at con. ferences at which a few powers only would be represented. TURKEY AND THE PRINCIPALITIES. The news that Russia had accepted the Austrian propositions was officially intimated to the Porte on the 19th ult., by Baron Prokesch. The intelligence caused a great sensation. The conferences upon the reorganisation of the principalities continued. Upon the question of the future government of the principalities, Lord Strat ford de Radcliffe had applied home for further in structions. ITALY AND SARDINIA. The Italian journals generally doubt a pacifio solution of the Eastern question from the approach ing conferences at Paris. The Piemonte of Turin, in a forcible article against the conclusion of hostili ties, declares that, " while Poland is left intact to Russia she will be mistress of the situation,"and that peace on the proposed terms can be but a truce. In . short," concludes the Piemonte, "we have had a war of dilettanti, and are going to make a shopkeeper's peace." _ _ _ The King held a council on the 24th ult. respect ing the peace negotiations, and on the 26th notes were despatched to London and Paris, expressing the views of the Sardinian Government. UNITED STATES. The Atlantic, with dates from New York to the 19th, arrived on Thursday. After 116 ballots no Speaker was elected, several propositions to elect by plurality of votes having been rejected. The tone of the American press was in favour of an amicable solution of the differences between England and America. The New York Herald of the 18th states that the President was on the point. of fully explaining to Congress his reasons for advising the withdrawal of Mr. Buchanan from the Court of London. The usual mail, with dates to the 15th and 17th ult., from New York brought intelligence that President Pierce was about to deliver a second Message as soon as the choice of a Speaker to Congress had been decided on. The Message was said to have relation to the state of affairs between America and the English Government. Although Mr. Crampton had "dined" with the President, the New York Herald says that nothing less than the immediate removal of Mr. Crampton by the British Government can prevent the affairs between both countries assuming a more important and threatening attitude. The Washington correspondent writes on the 14th : The President has not repeated his original demand for the removal of Mr. Crampton. The British Government having assumed the responsibility of explaining away the conduct of their Minister in the enlistment case, and oar Government having accepted their offer, the settlement of the affair is no longer wth Mr. Crampton, who still con tinues his official relations with the United States, but with the English Government. Lord Palmerston insists that sufficient explanation and apology have already been given to the United States, and our Government with equal pertinacity insists on the contrary. On the dis agreement on this point, all further correspondence be tween the two Governments has closed. The special Nlessage which the Piesident has in readiness for the Congress will be found to sustain this statement. . . . A strong impression pervades political circles here that our relations with Great Britain are threatening, and serious apprehensions are telt and expressed by many senators, several of them in the confidence of the Admi nistration, of a rupture between the two Governments. It is evident that there must be a light or a back out on one side or the other. Mr. Buchanan, it is asserted on all sides, has received the most peremptory instructions to demand the recal of Mr. Crampton. The correspondent of the Daily A etcs writes Irons New York on the 15th : It is a fact that nobody on this side of the water has any confidence in Lord Palmerston's desire to maintain friendly relations with the United States. He cannot, it is true, be accused of ever having made many professions of regard or friendship for uz. His policy, so far as he may be con sidered as having had a policy, has never been one of con ciliation towards the United States. There is hut one opinion on this subject amotyg our public men. The archives of our department ot State show it. Lord Pal merston's speeches, despatches, and letters show it. His friends know it. It is also believed in the best informed circles here and in Europe :bat these sentiments of quasi hostility against the United States have been strengtheLed by the Anglo-French alliance. The Courier and Enquirer states unless Mr. Crampton is recalled, the the United states will have to send ports : Inasmuch as the English Government Mr. Cranipton has only carried out its is b►►rdly to be supposed that the request be complied with ; and the unpleasant him his passports will devolve upon Tills in itielf Dili be no cause for wix, ates pointedly that the Got ernment of ,end him bis pass- went maintains that ► own instructions, it lest for his recal will necessity of lending n our Government. but will superinduce •