The Press.
London, England, 1855-01-20 00:00:00

THE WEEK.

THE probabilities of peace have been strengthened this week by
the reports which reach us from Vienna. The Emperor is said,
in answer to an address from the Bank, to have expressed a
hope or belief that peace would be restored ; and we learn from
some of the German States that the Austrian Government has
signified to them its opinion that the declarations of Russia are
now so pacific that it will be unnecessary to proceed with the
mobilisation of the military contingent of the German States. In
Berlin it is rumoured that Austria, having now secured her main
objects, the evacuation of the Principalities by Russia, and the free
navigation of the Danube, has not the slightest intention of proceeding
to actual hostilities. Cur own letters from Vienna state, that hopes of
peace were confidently entertained, though it was foreseen that great
obstacles would exist to the conclusion of a treaty, even if negotiations
should be opened. The telegraph from Vienna, under date of Thurs-
day last, reports that the French and English Ministers had received
powers from their respective Governments to treat with Russia, and
that despatches to that effect were on their way. The Emperor
NICHOLAS is said, on his part, to have given Prince GORTSCHAKOFF full
powers to treat on any terms short of a diminution of the Russian fleet
and the occupation of Russian territory.

Making what allowances we may for exaggerated or erroneous
reports, it cannot, we think, be doubted that the Austrian Government
is really disposed to treat with Russia, and believes, or affects to be-
lieve, that a pacific negotiation between that Power and the Western
States is now practicable. It is hardly credible, indeed, that Austria
should so soon have intimated her opinion that the mobilisation of the
military contingents of the Germanic States was unnecessary, seeing
the immense preparations made by the belligerent Powers for prose-
cuting the war; but whether she has proceeded thus far or not, it is
clear that she considers it unlikely that she will be called on to take
part in the struggle. The long and confidential interviews of Prince
CTORTESCHABOFF with the Emperor have not been without their effect.
Yet, if we look to facts, we can discover no substantial reason for
this apparently sudden change in the policy of Austria. The accept.
ance by Russia of the four points was known several weeks back, yet
the pacific policy of Austria dates only from the commencement of the
year, when we were led to expect, from the treaty of the 2nd of De-
cember, that the defensive and offensive alliance of Austria with the
Western Powers would commence. At the very moment when it was
confidently supposed that this alliance was to become a reality, and
that Austria would really take an active part against Russia, the
Austrian Court assumed a different tone, and peace was once more
confidently spoken of.
We cannot tell how far Austria is now acting in cordial concur-
rence with France and England. We only know that lately civilities
have passed between the Emperor JOSEPH and the Emperor NAPO-
'atoll, which lead to a presumption that a perfectly good understand
ing subsists between them. At the same time we are assured from
France, that the Government of that country is as earnest as ever in
the prosecution of the war, and firmly resolved not to treat for peace
except on terms which shall materially impair the power of Russia.
We must leave time to clear up these seeming contradictions. All that
is certain at present is,—that Austria has not, as was anticipated, the
slightest intention of co-operating with France and England in the
prosecution of the war ; that for the present the war is to be carried
on as actively as possible ; and that at Vienna diplomacy is active
in inaugurating a negotiation, which no one seems to know whether to
regard as a sham or as a reality Thus far Russia has gained her
point—Austria remains neutral and Germany quiescent, though the
recent inroad of Russian troops into the Dobrudscha shows that
Turkish territory is not secure from the attacks of the enemy.

From the allied camp at Sebastopol the dates reach to the 10th of
January. Up to that time nothing material had occurred ; the French
and Eng!ish were still at work in their trenches, and busied with pre-
parations for the grand bombardment. Sickness in the English camp
continued to increase, owing to the severe deprivations of the men,
and the incessant labours they had to perform. To the end of the
year, not a single one of the houses sent out had been erected in the
camp, a quantity of the planks having been used to form a kind of
tramway. The sufferings of the men from want of shelter and fuel
were frightful ; and instances of carelessness and mismanagement on
the part of the home authorities—all but incredible—were constantly
brought to light. Thus it was discovered that in one shipment of the
wooden houses there had been one slight omission necessary to their
erection—no nails had been sent with them. Among the officers
Christmas-day seems to have been cheerfully kept, with good home-
fare and home-remembrances. The spirits of the men are still un-
daunted, but their effective strength rapidly declines. The drain by
sickness and casualties seems to be not less than one hundred a day.
In Sebastopol the enemy are unceasing in their preparations for
defence, and large reinforcements have, it is said, been sent to Prince
MENSCHIKOFF. OMER PACHA has had an interview with the allied com-
manders to arrange his plans at Eupatoria, and has returned to Varna
to see the remainder of his force shipped for the Crimea. It was with
great difficulty that he could succeed in inducing his Government to
furnish his men with necessaries for action. It appears doubtful
whether he will be able to take the field until the approach of
spring.