The Express.
London, England, 1853-08-03 00:00:00

RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

Lord D. STUART a iid there bad been for some time on
the books of the house a notice of a motion, relating to the
settlement of the Eastern question, in the name of Mr. Lay-
ard. He had more than once shown a desire to bring this im•
portant question before the house ; but he had waived his in-
tention in consequence of the wishes of the government,
who thought it would be inconvenient to the public service
for the que.tion to be debated in parliament at that time.
Some time had since elapsed ; negotiations bad gone on and
were going on, both in this country and in all the courts of
Europe, in relation to the differences between Russia and
Turkey. lie did not ask the government now to fix a
day when the subject might be discussed ; but be wished
to know whether the noble lord would, before the 'proroga-
tion of parliament, which could not b., very long delayed,
set apart a day when Mr. L iyard might make his motion,
and when the subject might be di-cussed, or, at lesst, when
the government would be prepared to lay a statement
before the house, and explain to the house and the country
the present state of oar mimic= with the different powers
of Europe.
_ . . .

Lord J. RUSSELL—On the last occasion when this im-
portant sultjeet was mentioned, the house concurred with
the government in thinking that it was not desirable to
have • discussion in the present stage of the business. I am
quite ready to give my noble friend and the house all the
information that it is at present in my power to give.
(Hear, hear.) When the ambassador of his Majesty, the
Emperor of Russia, left Constantinople, it appeared to her
hlajesty's government that it was desirable that there
should be • conference of the representatives of all the great
powers of Europe, in order to arrive at the terms which
might put an amicable termination to the difference between
Russia and the Sublime Porto. It was the opinion of the
government of Austria that it was not desirable to have any
such conference while the mat's'. remained in the state of
diplomatic relation•, and that it would not be desirable to
have such a conference unless the Emperor of Russia, by
invading the principalities, should for a time, indeed, have
disturbed the statue yew of Europe. When that event
occurred, the government of the Emperor of Austria, in
conformity with its previous declaration, declared its wil-
lingneu to hold a conference at Vienna, and it summoned
the representa.ives of the four other great powers of Europe
to attend, fur the purpose of • conference on the affairs of
Russia and Turkey. The miniatcr of his Majesty
the Emperor of Russia did not attend ; but the ministers
of England, of France, and of Prussia attended that con-
ference. Certain terms were then agreed upon, which, in
the opinion of the representatives of the four powers, might
be accepted with honour by the two governments of Turkey
and of Russia. Those terms have been assented to by the
governments of England and France; ■nd, according to
our belief, have been transmitted from Vienna to Peters-
burg and Constantinople. In this state of the question the
house will, I think, feel that the reasons are now not less
strong than before for abstaining from discussing this
question ; and that it is quite impossible for me
either to say that it is desirable to have a dis-
cussion on these affair., or to Sc a day for it. (Hear,
hear.) As to the rut, when the time for the prorogation
of parliament approaches, the government will be rady to
give every information on the subject which they possibly
can. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. DlSRAELl—Considering the anxiety felt upon this
matter, perhaps the noble lord will be good enough to state
whether there is any particular time when the government
are induced to believe that an answer will be returned
from Constantinople.

Lord J. RUSSELL—I should not like to be ruporeible
for naming any particular time. One does not know bow
many days the reapective governments will take to consider
a proposition of this nature. I should think the proposition
might have left Vienna probably on Sunday last ; theraore
the right hon. gentleman can calculate for himself when an
answer may probably be expected. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. DISRAELI—The noble lord says that the proposi-
tion agreed upon at Vienna has received the approbation
of the government of England and the government of
France. Am I right in the inference, which I drew at the
time, that it has also receivel the approval of the govern-
ments of Austria odd of Prussia ?

Lord J. RUSSELL—The proposition in fact was an
Austrian proposition, although it came originally from the
government of France ; and no doubt the government of
Prussia has likewise conscs.ted to it.