The Press.
London, England, 1857-01-24 00:00:00

THE WEEK.

THE situation in the East is certainly becoming complex. The Persian
and Chinese disputes are rapidly assuming extensive proportions.
The last intelligence from the Persian Gulf assures us of the capture
of Bushire, the occupation of Karrak, and the determination of the
shah not to submit to terms. The anticipation we ventured last week
to express, that this unfortunate dispute would be amicably settled by
tlii) good offices of the Emperor of the FRENCH, we have reason to fear
will nut be fulfilled. It then remains for us, in the probable case of
the Shah declining to submit to the dictation of the British Govern-
ment, either to content ourselves with possession of the barren
coasts of the Persian Gulf, or to enter upon a war at once the most
gigantic and costly this country has ever ventured to undertake in the
East. It is useless for the Ministerial papers to assert that the war
v.lis inevitable, and to throw the blame of it upon the intrigues of
Russia. Russia has had nothing to do with the present quarrel. The
friendly mediation of an ally could, if asked for, have at any moment
prevented this result ; but the dictatorial tone of Lord PALMERSTON'S
Government, and the attempt to impose upon the Shah the most
immoderate conditions, rendered mediation impossible, hurried
'us into a war to sustain a false position, and lost to us the influence
and prestige of years of able diplomacy. Let us consider for a moment,
in voncert with whom, and in opposition to whom, we must carry on
hts vast undertaking. We must ferment a revolt in and about Herat;
Itte must subsidise the Aftglians ; we must push a campaign on
our own frontier, and maintain the diversion on the shores of the
Persian Gulf. Should the Shah prove obstinate, and decline to
admit the necessity of surrendering possession of Herat, because a
British squadron has appeared in the Persian Gulf, and captured
Barrack, these great combinations must bes carried out if we desire
to bring matters to a settlement. But can it be doubted that such
preparations would not give rise to the most serious complications
between this country and Russia? Our whole policy on this occasion
towards Persia has been false to a degree. We permitted the siege of
Herat to be carried on for months without an effort in its favour, and
from our slow councils and slower execution of them produced oppor-
tunities which the sagacity and vigour of Persia improved to our dis-
advantage, and her own benefit. We then sought to impose upon her
the most inordinate conditions, declined all attempts at a friendly
arrangement, and so inevitably brought about the existing complica-
tion. The occupation of Astrabad by the Russians is reported, but
Vints confirmation. _ _

If we turn to China, the most serious results have ensued
from the measures adopted by Sir Jour; BOWRING. The foreign
banks and factories, though protected by a strong force of seamen and
marines, and under cover of the guns of the squadron, have been
burnt to the ground by the Chinese ; and the destruction of Canton
will, of course, as a matt.m of retaliation, be carried out by Admiral
SEYMOUR, probably in conjunction with the French and American
ships of war then in the river. It is to be hoped that the result of this
unhappy collision between the Foreign Powers and China will even-
tually lead to the establishment of such definite relations upon so
solid a foundation, as will prevent any chance of a repetition of such
measures as Sir JOHN BOWRING so unjustifiably authorised upon the
seizure of the lorcha. The despatches detailing the events at Canton
in December are looked for with some little anxiety.
The liberation of the Neufchatel prisoners, as we anticipated last
week, has led to the entire discontinuation of all warlike measures on
both sides. The King of PRUSSIA has expressed his willingness to
abandon his rights of sovereignty over Neufchatel, but desires to
efer the question for settlement to a Congress, which may possibly
assemble in London.

If ever a man heartily deserved a pungent epithet or two, it is Sir
ROBERT PEEL. The un-worthy Baronet, the Member for Tamworth,
without much regard for truth or honour, in his late speech at Bir-
mingham railed his Billingsgate pretty freely at all the representatives
of the European Sovereigns present at Moscow. Those enjoying the
least knowledge of facts, or the least impartiality of judgment, have
pronounced many of Sir ROBERT PEEL'S statements to be absolutely
false,—all of them to be disgracefully scandalous. The direct and
vulgar personal allusion Sir ROBERT PEEL made to the Prince DE
LIONE has, we are glad to see, so far influenced the leading British
residents in Belgium, that a numerous deputation last Monday waited
upon the Prince to express their regret and disgust at the vulgar per-
sonalities indulged in by Sir ROBERT PEEL, and to explain fully to the
Prince that the insult was scouted by every gentleman in England,
and universally condemned by the public press of the country. We
must refer the reader to the letter of our Brussels correspondent for
full details. To His Excellency's reply to this address we invite espe-
cial attention ; and for this reason—that when such terms as the
Prince DE LIGNE coupled with Sir ROBERT PEEL'S name are publicly
applied to any person holding office under Government, it is the duty
of the Government either to clear the character of its servant, or to
dismiss him from his post. In no branch of the public service is any
man permitted to commit with impunity the slightest violation of the
rules of honour; so gross a breach of honour, decorum, and confidence
as that committed by Sir ROBERT PEEL, shot-ad have scarcely passed
unnoticed. Tho remarks of the Prince DE LUISE this week give
increased prominence to the ease, and demand that the Governmout
;akc some step ig the mattcp
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