The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-12-10 00:00:00

(stottqriby C/scrtrer.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1870.

RUSSIA AND THE CONFERENCE.

The dark cloud which had been gathering in
the East is brightening, if uot wholy clearing
away. If we examine the two recent dispatches
in reference to the Eastern difficulty, and take
them in connection IN ith the proposals for a Con-
fereuce, the inevitable conclusion must on the
whole be satisfactory. Let us first glance at
Prince Gortsehakidf's reply to Lord Granville.
The Russian Clianeelor a ri:es altogether in a
milder and less urgent tone than before. It is
that he does not retraet former statements, but
so far as he reproduces them in substance, he
couples them with the expression of friendly
sentiments towards ourselves, and altogether
places the Russian requiremente—we cannot say
demands —on a more conciliatory footiiVi il.
hile on the other hail Prince Gortschakuti
speaks of the Emperor of Russia's imperious
duty to his own country, of the Treaty of 1856
having become wore and more intolerable to
Russia, and of the national sentiment protesting
against it, he on the other hand speaks more
reasonably than before of what Russia wints and
does not want. Emphatically declaring that she

does not desire to repudiate the treaty of 1856,
to the general principles of which she adheres.
Prince Gortschakoff says " For our own part we
are ready to join in any deliberation having for
its object the settlement of guarantees for the
consolidation of peace in the East.'' And after
declarinehat the Imperial Cabinet would deeply
regret if anything were to disturb the harmony
which exists between the British and Russian
novernwnts, the Prince adds, "We believe
that a good understanding between the two Gov-
ernments is exceedingly advantageous to the
two conntries as well as to the peace of ihe
world." Unless we believe that the Russian
Chancellor has hero deliberately used language
tr the purpose of dec ption, it is impoesible to
, see in the despatch the evidence of any desire to
push the present dispute beyond the region of
negotiation into the arena of war.
_

Turning to Lord Granville'sreply to this des-
patch we find additional reason for arriving at
the conclusion that there is not the least likeli-
hood of this unfortunate dispute resulting in
war. That war may not ultimately arise out ef
it no one can reasonably affirm. There is of
coarse the possibility of such a disastrous issue,
but we see no probability of it taking fully into
consideration circumstances to which wilshall
presently refer. But. meauwhile, turning to
Lord Granville's second reply, its firm, dignified,
conciliatory tone must have a good effect even
in Russia, 35 it certainly has had in our country.
The noble lord, alluding to the declaration made
by Russia as "an abrogation of a theoretical
principle without immediate application," adds,
'lf these werds are to be construed into an an-
nouncement that Russia has formed and stated
her own opinion of her rights, but has no inten-
tion of ecnformity with it without due concert
with the other Powers, they go for to close the
controversy in which the two governments have
been engaged. Farm stly ineieed is it to be
hoped that the won's allntleil to are to be thus
construed, and Prince Gortseltakoffs repeated
assertions that Russia is willing to join in " any
deliberation," certainly hear out the Foreign
Secretary's view of the matter. The gist of
Lord Granville's reply is contained in the c:osing
sentences which we must quote. "Her Ma-
jesty's Government,- he says, "have no objee
tion to accept the inititation which has been made
by Prussia to a Conference, upon the under-
standing that it is assembled without any fore-
gone conclusion as to its results. In such case
her Majesty's Government will be glad to con-
sider with perfect fairness, and the respect due
to a great and friendly Power, any proposals
which Russia may have to make.- The reason
atfd common sense of this position must be ap-
parent to all disenterested persons, and even
Russia. or we will say the Emperor and his
Prime Minister, who are so deeply interested in
the questions in dispute, can scarcely fail to ad-
mit the reasonableness of the noble lord's decla-
ration. For Russia to enter upon, a conference
with a foregone concluslon—that is to say, if
she is determined not to recede from that con-
clusion—would be worse than absurd ; and there
is reason to hope that she will not assume any
such attitude.

As the whole matter now stands, England may
congratulate herself on possessing a Foreign
Minister whose tact and wisdom have called
forth encomiums from his political opponents
as well as from his supporters, and we may also
congratulate ourselves that the Eastern difficulty
is, for the present at least, in the stage of ami-
cable consideration. Prussia (whose alleged
secret treaty with Russia appears to be a pure
myth), Austria, Italy and Turkey have agreed
to join us in a conference, not on " the Eastern
question at large, but on certain stipulations of
the Treaty of 1856, and France is willing to as-
sist if her anomalous political position prove no
barrier. While awaiting, therefore, with some
little anxiety any further despatch from Russia,
we nevertheless rejoice at the probable pacific
settlement of what was not long since a ver;
threatening difficulty.