The Sun.
London, England, 1855-06-27 00:00:00

(From the Morning Herald of this day.)

The House of Lords last'night listened to another of those
lucid and comprehensive reviews of our war policy to which
Lord Lyndhurst has familiarised their lordships—efforts of au
extraordinary mind, over whose fine powers extreme age
seems to cast neither blight nor shadow. The more imme-
diate object of the noble and learned lord on this oocasion was
to examine the policy of Austria, and how far the results of
that policy have justified the course we have pursued with
reference to that power. . _

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It can hardly be denied now by those who were accustomed
to congratulate the Western Powers and mankind in general
upon the consummation of the Austrian alliance, that the
most recent events have shown, that from the first the Cabi-
net of Vienna has played a subtle and a selfish game—that
they have beguiled the Western Powers with implied promises
of contingent assistance, and delusive proposals for the settle-
ment of the Eastern complication. We do not say that her
mediation was necessarily insincere, because it had led to no
practical result—with such a power as Russia the best offices
might have been unavailing. We are even willing to acknow-
led_ e with Lord Ellenborongh the value of the tranquil posi-
tion of Austria within her own territory—her well-armed
frontier opposing a barrier to Russia, and creating a necessity
for a Russian corps of observation that might otherwise have
been moved to the Crimea; It may be too, although wo do
not very clearly see it, that Austria has exerted a most bene-
ficial influence upon the German Diet and people, preventing
on the one hand a Russian pressure, and on the other the
development of a Russian policy. Against this speculative
good, however, we can set off something like positive evil.
The occupation of the Principalities, in pursuance of that
unfortunate convention of June, 1854, set free the army of
Bessarabia, and supplied some of the troops that fought at
the Alma and at Inkermau. Our two years' " deference" to
Austria has been the curse of our policy. It has not only
paralysed our operations in the field, but the prolonged and
profitless negotiations in which Austria played the part of
mediator have prevented, by the shadow of irresolution they
cast on our policy, a declaration ou the part of the Baltic
powers, and very possibly of Germany also. These negotia-
tions have terminated, as every one kne w they would, in the
rejection by Russia of easier terms than she had any right to
expect, and after the ministers of the allies had exhausted
their instructions, and actually returned to their respective
governments; Austria comes forward with a proposition she
knew could not be accepted, affords Russia an opportunity
for a display of moderation in the face of Europe, and, which
is the most significant proceeding of all, commences the re-
duction of the army on her eastern frontier. What has been
the consequence ? Why, the same that followed her occupa-
tion of the Principalities. The army of Bessarabia was then
liberated for the Crimea; the Russian troops, hitherto
stationed on the frontiers of Gallicia, aro now, if the reports
may be relied upon, on their march for the same destination.
Such seem to be the obligations we owe to Austrian alliance
and Austrian mediation. The reduction of her military force
argues, it was remarked by Lord Ellenborough, an entire
change in her intention. Austria thus places herself on a
level with Prussia, and we know what that level signifies.
The debate last night elicited from the Foreign Minister the
important announcement that the allied powers consider
themselves absolutely unfettered by the "four points," or any
of them, and that they are henceforth free to make such terms
as the success of our military operations may sanction. If we
may believe (we do not believe it) this statement the next
proposal will be a serious advance upon those hitherto,offered.
We fear, however, under tho guidance of those at present
conducting the war, we are not likely soon to be in a condi-
tion to increase our demands. The Austrian alliance, with
its happy results, was one of the triumphs of the Minister
who is still entrusted with the foreign seals. Lord Clarendon
hardly attempts to conceal the fact that our foreign policy for
the past two years has been a ruinous mistake. Shall he bo
permitted to involve the country in the consequences of an-
other similar period ?