The Express.
London, England, 1855-01-11 00:00:00

THE NECESSARY TERMS OF PEACE.

AMONG the beet informed circles—political and
mercantile—the opinion that Russia sincerely desires
peace appears to preponderate. The condition of
the Russian army in the Crimea is said to be deplo-
rable ; the disorganisation mendaciously attributed to
the English army is, it is alleged, literally true of the
Russian. Again, from St. Petersburg we are assured
that the CZAR is " hard up," both for men and money.
He is, moreover, said to feel acutely the isolation in
which his brusque and unjust attack upon Turkey
has placed him, after having so long been accustomed
to the deferential attention of European courts.
Lastly, it is reported that the Ell PRESB, who 11 rapidly
sinking, is importunate in her entreaties that he will
put a stop to the effusion of blood. All these things
are represented as having contributed to shake the
"iron will," and dispose the EMPEROR to lend an
ear to pacific counsels.

We neither affirm nor deny the truth of these
representations. "We tell the tale as 'twos told to
us;" with this simple addition, that the reports reach
us from various quarters, and from some upon which
we repose confidence. A short time will decide; for if
they be true, the Russian Minister at Vienna will
honestly endeavour to promote the restoration of
peace. It will be the duty, however, of the allied

Governments to keep a wary eye upon a Power so
unscrupulous in having recourse to direct mendacity,
as Russia proved itself to be in the outset of the
Oriental negotiations. They ought never for a
moment to forget, either, that in suing for peace
the CZAR relinquishes, or postpones for an
indefinite period, the realisation of a cherished—a
hereditary ambition. NICHOLAS, be it also held in
remembrance, will have his self-love sorely wounded
when he is obliged to confess, by deeds as well as
words, that be has undertaken a task which exceeds
his powers, and has failed. Mortified vanity, and the
relinquishment of desires long indulged, will cause
Russian diplomacy to shift its standing place and
change its aims more than once during the progress
of negotiation; and no subterfuge will be left
unused that promises to break the fall of the
Estrinon, or render it less conspicuous. It
will be necessary, therefore, that the represen-
tatives of the Western Powers employ the plainest
and most unequivocal language, and abide by it.
They hare a wily and unscrupulous adversary to deal
with—a Government less remarkable for talent than
many imagine, but unrivalled for that low and un-
blushing cunning which sometimes is more saeoses-
ful than talent of the very highest order. The 1d•
sian Minister must on no occasion be allowed be
shroud himself in vague or obscure phrases.
The terms of peace exacted from the CZAR ought
to be of such a nature as shall effectually secure
Europe against a repetition of the game he has been
attempting to play. It is the more necessary to in-
sist upon this seemingly self-evident position be-
lie= very equivocal language on this; head has
be hoard to drop from lips which will
have a good deal to say in these negotiations.
There has been an affectation of expressing regret
that the terms offered to Russia are unnecessarily
severe; an attempt to insinuate that more " mo-
deration" and "regard for the CZAR'. feelings"