The Press.
London, England, 1854-02-18 00:00:00

played
" I hope that, without being accused of partiality towards
Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, either on account of our re-
lationship or the friendship existing between us, I may
venture to express my admiration of the great ability which
he has displayed throughout these transactions. (Cheers.)
The skill he has displayed appears to me wonderful. He
had to contend with the Russian Minister and the whole
Russian party in the Divan, unaided by the gold which
Russia profusely disburses. He had to keep up the cou-
rage of the Turks on the one hand, while on the other he
was unable to promise them any support. (Hear, hear.)
As matters advanced he was obliged to recommend the
Turks to display at once fortitude and patience. While
encouraging the Turks to resist the unjust demands made
upon them, he was at the same time instructed to repress
any hasty warlike demonstration. Never was an ambas-
sador placed in more difficult circumstances, and it is
greatly to the honour of Lord Stratford de Redcliffe
that he has come out of them with increased reputation..
((Therm)"
Passing on to more recent eventualities, the noble
marquis remarked that even now it did not appear
what sacrifices we were prepared to make, or for
what object we were striving. With regard to the
entry of the fleet into the Black Sea, it was not a cor-
rect definition of our position to say, as our ambassa-
dor at St. Petersburg had stated, that it entered with
no hostile intentions. To prevent the Russian ships
from conveying reinforcements to their armies in Asia
was an undoubted act of hostility; and it was equally
an act of hostility to aid Turkey by convoying sup-
plies to her forces. It was a quibble to say that, be-
cause we would not allow Turkey to attack the ships
or territory of Russia, we had no hostile intention to-
wards Russia ; especially as we had previously de
Oared that the evacuation of the principalities was a
sine qua non of peace. He then alluded to the sus-
pension of diplomatic relations with Russia, and of
our preparations for war by sea and land, contending
that further information on these points ought to be
afforded. We had contracted new engagements and
alliances for war, the nature of which ought to be
laid before Parliament. He assumed that these en-
gagements were to defend the Turkish territory; but
would that object be accomplished merely by sending
a fleet into the Black Sea, and landing forces at Con-
stantinople? The truth was, we were waging war to
resist Russian aggression. Acknowledging the ho-
nour and good faith with which the French Govern
went had acted towards us, he was unwilling to em
bark in such a war without knowing to what limits
we were going, and for what objects. England could
not engage in a little war with Russia :
" If you intend to bring war to a permanently success-
ful issue, you must make efforts that are worthy of
England. ( Hear, hear.) It is a great struggle in which
you are about to engage, and, unless you are prepared to
give way on every point, and to submit to indignity and
humiliation and incur the discredit of defeat, the Govern-
ment must look the conflict boldly in the face, and act as
other Governments have acted, by means of their great
military and naval power. But the noble earl has told us
that we are at peace with Russia. At peace ! If we are at
peace, what is that peace ? What is the object of that
peace? What is the peace which the noble earl means?
I tell the noble earl that if he thinks he can maintain
those treaties which have kept Europe in a constant dread,
and have led to the present calamitous state of things—if
no indemnity whatever is to be paid by Russia—(loud
cheers)—if he thinks we are to treat with Russia now as we
might have done seven or eight months ago—l tell him
that Europe won't stand it and that this country will not
stand it. I know that Parliament will not submit to
Russian degradation. The question is not whether a
despatch is to be worded this way or that ; but what the
country requires, and what Europe requires, is, not a
pitiful, contemptible tournament of a war, but an ample
security for the future peace of Europe. (Cheers.) I.et
the Government not be afraid to say that that is their object,
and that they are prepared to make vigorous efforts through-
out the world to attain it. I know that Parliament will
support them throughout in such a cause, and as to the
issue of the contest I cannot for one moment entertain a

doubt. (Cheers.)
The Earl of CLARENDON was not displeased at
having an opportunity for explanation and defence,
and opened by characterising the censure just
pronounced as the product of extraordinary ingenuity
and skill, without one grain of impartiality towards
the Government. It was, moreover, founded, after
all, upon mere opinion, on which he trusted the