The Press.
London, England, 1855-06-23 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

lortign dorrtspoubtutt.

BRUSSELS, Thursday.
THE disturbances on the frontiers of Spain have
been traced to Russian intrigue and Russian gold.
There had long existed a suspicion to that effect,
which has now by the seizure of papers been con-
verted into certainty. Neither in England nor France
can there be officially stationed a bead or corre-
sponding chef for these machinations, although
certain communications are held with both coun-
tries. The mainspring is, therefore, placed in
the most convenient country that will admit
of its immediate and active working. It is well
established that the lines of conspiracy, tele-
graphic or otherwise, extend to this place, which
forms the advanced post of Russian strategy. These
embassies of despotism, greedy of information, and
without scruple in obtaining it, have been, are, and
ever will be, correctly informed on the minutiae of
passing events. The effect of the motion of Mr.
Disraeli, having for object the embodiment of popu-
lar feeling in England, has been perfectly reported
at St. Petersburg. Thereupon the Independance
Beige, having a large circulation in Germany,
Prussia, and Russia, under order, assures its conti-
nental readers that England is eager for peace ;
that Mr. Gladstone, and not Mr. Disraeli, may be
held to represent the desires of the English people ;
and that a growing dissatisfaction prevails against
Lord Palmerston and the war party in the Cabinet.
Coupled with this assurance comes the remark, as it
were en passant, that Russia, in the indulgence
of a wonted magnanimity, would not be disinclined
to listen to an overture of peace ; and there is this
to be observed in the equivocal and semi-official
suggestion of the Indipendance, that, assuming it to
be true, it would be demonstrative of a wish on the
part of Russia to negotiate without intervention.
Austria, by her fixed resolve of neutrality, after the
failure of the Conferences, has vitiated that part of
the treaty of December which would bind the allies
not to act without her. She may have been cunning
in her generation, without doubt, but from being
over-cunning she has freed the allies from her fatal
alliance.

Following up its commanded policy, the Indepen-
dance would foment discord betwixt the soldiers of
France and England. It avers, as a known fact,
that the victory at Alma was due exclusively to
Marshal St. Arnaud and the French soldiery, that
the Marshal was obliged to remonstrate with Sir
George Brown and Sir De Lacy Evans on their
unwillingness to advance, and to urge them to fight.
These officers are named, and the Times has already
exposed the folly and impropriety of such prepos-
terous falsehood. From an excess of absurdity the
intent of mischief is made void and of no effect.

The gentlemanly feeling of the "braves Beiges"
towards the "gueux Britanuiques" shall be shown
in a few words. During the summer evenings the
excellent band of the Opera plays at the Café
Velloni in the park. The cafe is frequented by the
elite of Brussels—" lions," lionnes," " sangliers,"
" chimpanzees," " biches," and others of the haute
voUe—and the programme of the concert is distri-
buted, and is contained in a theatrical brochure,
entitled "L'Echo—Moniteur du Theatre." In that
of June 16th appears the following notice of the
aristocracy of England :

Au theatre de Drury Lane I Londres, une grande et
solennelle representation dramatique a ete donne° le moil
dernier par une societe d'amateurs, dont touts les membres
se recrutent dans la haute aristocratie Anglaise. La
Refine, le Prince Albert, et toute la haute fashion de Lon-
dres assistaier.t is cette curieuse tentative. On a d'abord
jour une petite comedie, qui it fait un fiasco cornplet, par-
ceque la richesae et la naissance ne donnent point le talent.
Alain cette piece a succede la pantomime de Harlequin
Guy Fawkes. dans la quelle lee amateurs ont fait leur
revanche, et out reussi completement et d'une mainere
extmordinaire Vous voyez que l'aristocmtie
Anglaise, si impuissante a traduire le eel attique, reussit
superieurement dans lee farces, dans lee pasquinade* et
dans lea clowneries On a ri aux eclat* et princi-
palement dans la loge royale. Cette particularite eat
groase d'enseignments.
There is more subtlety in this Russian concoction
than meets the eye; the insinuation regarding the
incompetency of the English aristocracy, and the
insolent remark on the "loge royale" indicating the
hostile animus of the writer,

E. R.

SATURDAY,

FRANKFORT, June 21.
THE veil of decency has been cast aside by Austria,
and she has consented to diminish her armies.
At the same time a remonstrance has been addressed
to the Autocrat of all the Russias against his inter-
ference amongst the States of Germany, and M. de
Buol seizes the happy opportunity to signify his dis-
pleasure at the abrupt termination of the Conferences.
It is a quasi protest against the untoward event. But
he has not been discouraged. Terms of reconcilia-
tion with Prussia have been proposed, to which the
latter has lent a willing ear, in order that by a unity of
purpose, irrespective of ought save their own interest,
the conjoined Cabinets may contrive a fresh Con-
feren3e.

From the determined and avowed neutrality of
Austria, the danger that threatened her northern
frontier is nullified, and she quietly enjoys, by the
terms secretly agreed upon with Russia in the spring
of 1854, the possession of the principalities, with the
command of the Danube. Her desires have been
accomplished without cost to lieriself—but at the
cost of England and France, and with the cost of
ridicule bestowed on the agents of Western diplo-
macy. She has no cause to fight for, and nothing
to obtain, being in possession. Neither has this
possession of the principalities been productive of
other than misery to the Moldo-Wallachians. Open
sympathy with the allies has been visited by impri-
sonment, au secret. Wives have been dishonoured,
daughters violated, and their protectors murdered.
A complaint to the military authorities is accounted
an act of excessive insubordination, and a number of
these victims have been put in chains, as Hungarian
rebels, which they are not, and sent into Austria to
be butchered according to the drum-head sentence
of political assassination. Such are the painful and
literal facts. And the occupation of the provinces
where these atrocities have been agonized in spirit
and body, was welcomed by the allies as a fortunate
event. In former days, upon the evidence of such
cold cruelty, the cry would have been, " Where is
Lord Palmerston ?"

But the changed situation of Austria, Prussia,
and Germany—changed from the recent successes in
the Crimea. and in anticipation of a victory still more
substantial—will shortly be forced upon the consi-
deration of the Western Cabinets. It is asserted by
members of the Diet that whenever the Cnmea and
Sebastopol may be taken by the allies, peace will
not be nearer of accomplishment. Russia will re-
treat behind her steppes, throw the main body of
her armies on the Austrian and Prussian frontiers,
and challenge a continental war. Germany, although
emperor, kings, and princes are devoured by petty
jealousies, will be compelled to unite for good or
evil. In this confederated sense the country ought
to side with France and England, but the ancient
and not dilapidated enmity to France will blind the
Germans to their real interests. It is the contem-
plation of this perilous future to be brought about
by the successes of the allies, and the known obsti-
nacy of the party by whom the Czar is governed,
that now excites the private attention of the Diet.
They are aware that the failure of the concocted
Conferences has been inimical to their plots and
schemes against one another•; that, already half-
insolvent, another war would complete their ruin.
As an agreeable surplusage to these several sub-
jects of interest, forth cc mea the speech of Prince
Albert at the Trinity-house. What does it mean?
The reproof to the House of Commons is palpable,
and the Germans construe it as a censure upon the
English Constitution for its defect in governmental
administration, and for the unwieldiness of the
glorious machine politic for potent and ready action.
The argument is true in one sense, inasmuch as at
the outset of a war the simple machinery of des•
potism works more completely than that of a free
and constitutional State; but, in the end, the very
force of popular and accumulated strength is irre-
sistible from its concentration of untiring and in-
creasing energy. The free man works with a will,
the Schlave labours under compulsion. Rum, reli-
gion, and the lash literally were the exciting causes
of the Russian onslaught at Inkermann ; whereas ti.
heart of the Englishman furnished the reason and
supplied the might of conflict. Arguing to their own
advantage upon the sense and bearing of this sin-
gular speech, the Germans, one and all, judge that
it would have been wiser to have left it unsaid.
I. E. L.

JUNE 23, 1855.

jou* mth goionial (litttiligtna.

FRANCE.

The Emperor was ill at the close of the past week,
but on Monday last had recovered from his indispo-
sition, and went with the Empress and the King of
Portugal to the " Ambigu Comique."
The Emperor and the Empress will leave Paris
to-morrow (Sunday) morning for Bayonne. The
Emperor returns to Paris immediately, leaving the
Empress behind.
• The Senate and Legislative Corps are convoked
for July 2nd, in order to consider financial measures.
It is stated that a further levy of 300,000 men is to
be made, which will enable the Government to
Station an army on the Rhine. The new loan, it is
■aid, will be for 500,000,000 f.
The King of Portugal left Paris on Wednesday.
The colossal American clipper, the Great Re-
public, left Marseilles on Tuesday for Constanti-
nople, having on board 1,200 soldiers, 200 tons of
bombs, and a quantity of stores for the army.