The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-17 00:00:00

TIIE EXPEDITION TO THE EAST.

terests which they defend ; for, had it been so, they never
would have given their consent. In fact, there was but
one of two things possible ; those negotiations would
succeed or would fail. If successful, Europe, by the
four guarantees, obtained conditions which, four months
previously, Count Nesselrode declared he could only ac-
cept after ten years of disastrous warfare ; if a failure,
Austria, whose alliance become an offensive one, en-
tered into armed action, and the weight of her sword
would soon obtain by war what her influence could not
effect in the Conferences.
"Thus, in either case, it was well to negotiate at
Vienna, while continuing all the same to fight in the
Crimea. .
"As regards the conditions of peace, nothing van be
more just, more moderate, more conformable to the
rights and interests of Europe. It will be easy for us to
establish this by characterising clearly the thought which
dictated them and the object which they were to achieve.
The first of thefonr Conditions, 'putting an end to the
principalities of Moldavia,
Wallachia, protectorate o
is placing their privileges
and f
se Russiarvi
a in
atnhde
under the collective guarantee of the Great Powers,
takes away from the Cabinet of St. Petersburg the rights
which it'pretended *to hold from ancient treaties, and
which were the only means for subjugating those popu.
lations, for dominating Turkey, for approaching Austria
on her. most vulnerable side, and for troubling the whole
of Europe ; the second by stipulating the free navigation
of the Danube, liberates the commerce of all nations--
especially of Austria—from the Meral and material ob-
stacles which impede it, and throws open the mouths of
that great river to the States of which it is the fortune
and the defence.
" The fourth, in delivering Turkey from the preten-
sions of Russia to a religious protectorate over the Greek
suhjects of the Sultan, nevertheless assures more than
ever freedom of conscience at the tame tittle flat it de-
ettoye the supremacy which the Czars at rogated to them-
selves, the political of jeet of which, the better to
im-
pose, was concealed under a religious ma-k.
" As regards the third ef those conditions—that which
his for its object to limit the preponderance of Ra.sia in
the Black S a —we have reserved it expressly as the -
here, catego
most important and most contested, so as to explain it
First of all, how must it be under-
stood ? Evidently anything equivocal on so grave a
point cannot suit at y ene. The allied Govereteentst
who have a consci•diNness of the justice of their preten-
sions. have not feared &fisting them. Russia bas turned
the B ack Sea into a Russian lake ; she has gradually
founded maritime establishments there of the first el: N;
she has accumulaied there, with as much perseverance
as 'mystery, considerable naval tercet', and it may be
said that by that exclusive domination of the Black Bea
she bas placed Constantinople in a permanent state of
siege.
" This state of things is not possible, because it is in-
compatible not only with the integr:ty of the Ottoman
empire but with the security of the whole of Europe.
" France and England, in demanding Russia to limit
her power in the Black Sea, or to neutralise that wee,
are therefore completely in the right. If that result
was not obtained by peace or by war, such a peace
would be ephemeral anu such a war useless ; and, Ist it
be well observed, this demand for the limitation t,f Rus-
sian poser, or for the neutralisation of the Back Sea,
does not respond only to Angle-French interests, it Ter
sp nds also to the interests of Austria, for which the
Danube, a commercial and military river, is a magnificent
highway, open to her activity towards the Euxiue and

The Moniteur of yesterday contains the pro-
mised second article on the expedition to the East.
It is as follows :

" 11.
" POLITICAL PART.
" After having told the country the whole truth on
the plan of the campaign and on the expedition to the
East, it remains for us to state how policy understood
its task, its duty, the honour of France, and the inte-
rests of Europe. What were the general causes of the
war ? For what interests were France and England to
carry their military and naval forces so far from their
own shores ? On what point do the different States of
Europe touch upon this question of European order?
What is the object which ought to be kept in view for
the interests of all ? How are the four guarantees to be
understood and accepted on either side as a basis for
negotiation ? Is it just, is it useful, to limit the power
of Russia in the Black Sea ? What will be the results
of the Vienna Conferences, for peace or for war? Tbat
is what we wish to examine in the second part of this
task, that on the eve of the decisive solution now under
achievement public opinion, completely enlightened, may
accept with equal confidence peace, if it is possible—
war, if it is necessary.
"The commencement of this great struggle is known;
it originated ip a small claim brought against Turkey on
the ground of concessions she had granted in favour of
the Latins in the Holy Land. Russia only wanted a
pretext. For her the tomb of Christ was only a stepping
stone to power:But that sacred stone could nut become
a stumbling-block for the peace of the world. • The Go-
vernmeet of the Emperor of the French, by regulating
that question in the most equitable manner, forced the
Cabinet of St. Petersburg to unmask its real thoughts.
Every one at once discovered that Russia had only
originated the discussion to open the Bosphorus to her
sove,eignty. The forced interpretation which she drew
from the treaty of Kainardji was, in fact, nothing else
than the moral fall of the Sultan. Tue questi in then
ceased to be a religious one—it became a political one.
The whole of Europe found itself engaged in it It be-
came necessary to make it understand its interests, de-
fend its rights, and show its strength.
" Ail the efforts of the French Government were
direct to that result. England, deceived at first by the
pretends I religious character of the question, very soon
understood, with her clear arid straiglitloreard common
sense, its real bearing. She felt, like us, the threat and
arrogance of that domination, and her hand was stretched
forth to meet ours, already extended to seal the alliance
betsveen the two great countries who represent the civi-
Heats.ei of the West.
"For Fiance, as for England, the Eastern question
represented an interest superior to that of their own
atnbitior Russia wished to dominate at Constantinople.
It was necessary to prevent it. Russia, mistress of the
Black Sea, having only to extend her hand to touch the
Bosphorus, placed the Mediterranean under the
menace of the fleets of Sebastopol. In advancing to-
wards the Dardanelles she brought her frontiers to the
shores of the Mediterranean. Wherever her vessels
could reach her preponderance was assured.' From her in.
accessible ports she touched all empire; and all kingdoms.
Not only had France and England a rival, not only
did Germany bend beneath the weight of the Colossus
that leant upon her, but Greece, Italy, Spain, Egypt,
and all the secondary States, found themselves struck
by the came blow in their security and independence.
Strange circumstance 1 Europe had shut its eyes to this
invasion of the north. In 1828 France and England,
burning the Turkish fleet at Navarino, destroyed the
force which protected the west. At that period we
sought an ally at St. Petersburg, instead of beholding'
there air adversary of our influence and of our civilisa
tion. In 1840 Eilland, Prussia, and Austria, leaving
aside the Cabinet of the Tuileries, again united them-
selves without suspicion. Sebastopol, closed to every
investigation, hiding in its inaccessible port the activity
of its dockyards and arsenals, did not appear to any
one as a menace. It was forgotten that as far back as
1805 a fleet left that point with 12,000 men on board,
landed them in Italy, and breught the Russians and
French in contact in the Mediterranean. Yet that was
a warning worthy of record, fer it proied that Russia
from the creeks of the Euxine, by the domination of
the Straits, could reach to the entrance of the Adriatic.
"Some years later Russia, having to struggle against
France united to Austria, defined her invading policy
much morn precisely by the of ject she pursued and by
the means which she employed. The plan of that policy
is a revelation in itself. We borrow it from an authen-
tic document recently published in the memoirs of a
statesman, Admiral Tichakoff, to whom the Emperor
Alexander gave the folldwing instructions under date of
April 19, 1812:
" The astute conduct of Austria, which has just allied
itself with France, obliges Russia to employ every means
in its power to disconcert the hostile intentions of those
two Powers. The most important is to turn to our account
the military genius of the SlaVonic people, as Servia, Bos-
nia, Dalmatia, Montenegro, Croatia, and Illyria, who,
once armed and under military orgauisation, would co
operate powerfully with our operations. The Hungarians,
dissatisfied with the proceedings of their actual Gov. rn-
ment, offer to us also an excellent means for alarming Aus-
tria, for makiug a diversion to her hostile ideas, and, con-
sequently, for weakening her resources. All these tribes
united to our regular troops would form a very imposing
militia, not only to provide against the hostile intentions
of Austria, but to effect a marked diversion upon the right
wing of the French posseesioes, and to give ilea sure means
of striki•ig a blow in the direction of Nissa oi. Sophia. The
object of the diversion against France must be to occupy
Bosnia, Dalitiatia, Croatie, and to direct their militia upon
the in, si; importaut points of the Adriatic,more especially
on Tricate, Fiume, Boccadi Cattare, so as to est Lblish
therc,,acet,rtling to opportunity, relations with the English
fleet, rind to wake every ffffort to fan into a fl zoo the dis-
content in JAIN* -T-jaid aud Swi
„seem.
mon with those brave populations, dissatisfied with their
actual Government. You ruu,t employ every potsiblit
means to exalt the Slave populations, to bring them to
serve our object. For examp e, you can promise them in-
dependence, the erection of a lave kingdom, pecuniary
rewards for the most influential men antong, thew, decora-
tions and suitable titles for the chiefs and troops. Finally,
you may add to those means any other you may deem ex-
pedient to gain them over must conformable to actual cir-
cumstances,'

Asia. An argument is brought against this pretension
which we do not think serious ; it is said to the Allied
Powers, You ask a concession from Rue-ia, which at
most night be the price of the su►render of Sebastopol,
and that place is still held by the Russian army.' Oar
reply is this The law of nations grants that a por-
tion of what is obtained by war may be kept by peace.
We have not yet 'taken Sebastopol, that is t rue ; but
what is Sebastopol at the present moment to Russia? It
is no longer a naval port, as her fleet, sunk at the mouth
of the harbour, or shut up behind that insurpassable
Lerner, is wilhdrawn from the struggle. The Black
Sea is the ba'tle•field which we have won—or, if they
like it, which has been abandoned to us by the enemy.
The Russian flag could not show itself there. Our ships
and those of England and Turkey navigate it in every
sense. Its domination has changed hands. It hasgone
from Sebastopol to Constantinople.
" Who compels us to give up this pledge ? Is not such
a situation the very best we could have ? And not only

do we occupy the Back Sea, but we be.iege Sebastopol,
we are fortified at Kamiescl and at Bilaklavi, Omer

Pasha is entrenched at Eupatoria, Ode:sa is menaced by
our fleets ? What can Russia do ? Could she suffer for

any length of time without detriment to her moral
strength and without ruin to hercommerce the blockade
which will shut her up in every part of the Black Sea
and in the Baltic Y Could she live in that paralysis which
in her strikts the vital principle of nations—that is to

Hay, movement, action, the right of exporting and ex.
changing her produce, arid which would condemn her
to isolation sterility, Impotency, in the immensity of her
empire ? To ask Russia to limit her naval forces, cr to
neutralise the Black Sea—that ig to say, to exclude
therefrom all vessels of war of any nation whatsover, is
therefore to exact from her much less tt.ao what we have
acquired by war, and which we could maintain without

an effort. 'ln fact, what .Ines it require to prevent Rus-
sia from ever entering Vie B ask Sea again ? Four men-
ot-war of eacli of the maritime Powers, France, England
and Turkey. Such a cruising ,quadron would suffice to
occupy the Bak Sea an•t to trauplant its domination
,from the shores of the Chines to the entrance of the
Bo,phorus.
" What Russia has lost, what she cannot recover by
war, no matter how long, is her preponderance over the
East. What she may legitimately akis a ehare of in-
ftuet,ce in the affairs of the world. She would find, if
needs he, a eoalitio.n'of a, l Suites to restrain her ambi-
tion ; but no one wishes to humiliate her. What is, asked

-fiord her Europe bas ttre d.;;;;

• - -
exact: if she grants it, the peace of the world is at,sured,
the ol•ject of the allied Powers attained. If she refuses,
war a ill continue and decide it.

" At the moment we write there grave solutions are
being prepared and•discuaeed at the Vienna Co►,ferencerr
where M. Drouyn tie l'Huys aid Lord John Russell
have taken, with the authority of their character
and position, the expression of the common thought
of their Governments. The country must confidently
await the result of that decisive trial. It may say
that peace will be concluded, if it is possible with honour

" Such were the views of: Russia as far back as 1812,
not only against France, but against Austria. This in-
cend.ary plan could not have left the archives of St.
Petersburg at a mor) fitting moment to show to 3Surope,
and especially to the Cabinet of Vienna, the immense
interest that every one must have to put finally a bar-
rier to a policy which completely justified, by its means
and objects, the foresight of the Emperor Napoleon I.
If the heirs of Peter the Great should ever dominate at
Constantinople by the Black Sea, Austria, surrounded,
embraced on all sides by the powerful arm of Rustda,
would be at the mercy of an enterprise such as the
daring mind of the Emperor Alexznder had conceived.
Hungary, open to its action by the Danube, would be
given up to all the excitements of its remembrances.
The Adriatic exposed to the brusque attack of a Slave
coalition, would cease to be the mart and bulwark.of
the AustriUn empire, and the key of the Gulf of Triests
would pass by a surprise from Vienna to St. Petersburg.
"There is, therefore, nothing more legitimate, more
necessary, and mere just before God and universal con-
science than this resistance of which the two naval
Governments of the West gave the signal in the month
of April, 1854. England and France drew the sword in
the cause of every other State. Their armies and fleets
were the avant-garden of Europe. Having the honour
of arriving first on the theatre of war they had the right
to expect' they would be followed there, and they confi-
dently awaited Austria and Prussia at this rendezvous
of the equilibrium and of the independence of European
order.

to the flags of France and England and security for
their influence, and that war, if it should continue, will
be nece-sa.ry for the object proposed by the Allied Go-
vernments, and from which nothirg can turn them aside.
"But a great result is acquired already from the very
fact of these negotiations. France and England bava
loyally negotiated with Austria to allow her policy to ex-
haust the last resources of conciliation. Those confer-
ences of which Vienna is the centre are the loyal and
honest act of the Emperor Francis Joseph. But the
Allied Powers know that if Austria does not succeed in
_ _

this noble effort of her European patriotism, she will
fight resolutely with them. In limiting their demand
to the very conditions accep' ed by the Vienna Cabinet in
the treaty of the 2d of Dec. they have gained to he com-
mon cause an important and devoted ally. The possibility
of peace, like the necessity of war, must henceforth be
only a fact in common to the three Powers who signed
that treaty. The solidarity of their interests and of
their engagements would unite them in the struggle as it
has united them in the ConferenceP and that grand Eu-
ropean confederation will soon have triumphed over
every resistance.

"France and England may therefore congratulate
themselves in having consented to negotiate while con-
tinuing to fight. Ic acting thus they have not only
given a proof of mode.ation—they have increased their
strength. Their adhesion to an honourable and possible
peace, having as consequence the support of Austria in
a nece-sary and legitimate war, is an act counselled by
wisdom, and which will be approved by public opinion.
"One word more, in conclusion. It is, perhaps, a
novel and bold thing to speak of the military and diplo-
matic conduct of a war while the army is fighting and
negotiations are pending. We thought that it was pre-
cisely the moment to speak the truth to the country.
Truth is only a danger for the weak. With right and
strength on their side, it honours those who speak it—it
reassures those who hear it."

"Austria and Prussia did not hesitate to place them-
selves in the solidarity of the interests for the defence of
which France and England were about to fight. In the
protocols signed at Vienna they recognised the rights of
Turkey ; they rejected the advances of the Czar, who, not
locVl'r:ieraidali:lllitehh:n
the
recovery c'f
anY
daring to ask their support, confined himself t i propose to
them resignation and neutrality ; they united themselves
by a treaty for the guarantee of German interests ;
they placed their armies on a war footing, and they
invited the German Confederation to follow their ex-
ample ; but, while preparing themselves for action, the
two great German Powers hesitated to act. It was not
courage which they wanted—for Governments that have In consequence of the intended visit of the Emperor
the responsibility of the honour and welfare if their of the French to Guildhail on Thursday, the /9th inst.,
country at heart are never deficient in that ; what they and the obstructions to business that will arise from the
wanted was confidence. Co-interested in the causes of crowded state of the thorpuglihres, the committee of
the war, they were uncertain of its object. It was that bankers have is-ued a recommendation that all bills due,
object which it was necessary to define, so as to leave on that day, awl not a idressed peyalile at city batiker.,
them no cause fir hesitation or distrust, should be pre,eided on Wednesday, the 18th.
A Nagy
'The Einp.ror, in opening the legislative session of SHs
nO CII Noon SACRILEGE.—BRISTOL, e:uLtE sat
wE.:::B:".,:cnoiaii,eliA:tntlialipeinist4lttallo:l6r:e.t—,ho,:intaarsviiiiiimeiyd
......sort.
1854, said in his speech : ful sensation has br en caused in trilA city by to. 1
cell.
" ' Europe is aware beyond a doubt that if France draws legious violation of the vault in which for
_esf_r,r,:liie, of
the sword it is because she is compelled to do 80. It thrifts have reposed the reMains of the Srri.V..tri:_f`prijatot.
knows that France has no idea of ag,4randisetnent. She Ashton-court, situated about three milescerh,b7ared ;ace.
only wishes to resi t dargerous outbursts; and lan) proud It i
openly to declare that the tine ti conquests is irrevocably :
of
"Tom Proves," alias Sir ''''"' will be rememe
past, for it is not by extending the limits of its territory
that a nation can henceforth become honoured and power. tried at* G
reattaveratthpenbTtlitdoill b..
fel ; it is by placing itself at the head of generous ideas
ccess an titolset, Clifton,
by making everywhere to prevail the empire of right and bered, a„Aracte ge al
1 aoi,ewnvite,nn)dgi! tott,el:heecevi
t:lzu,:nrib:iiirtr iti/33,:i :
pizo i
prime
sea,Bensd,ti.
justice.'
"That solemn declaration left no doubt upon the Ora- 1 I
Concealed. Fred prna
ft.
ofn larget pecuniary
racter of the war ; it allowed no distrust of the inter- :
btoeetdyo
eent i,urp„eti
to be thus
tiona of the Governments of France and Englaed. Thus,
when Germany had the question put to us how far aye 1 documents
male on the,
hsFot and a view of the chained of
intended to go, it was easy for M. 1 rouyn de Lhuys, in clt
' Ashton church,
tin t • ich the sacrilegious attempt took
concert with Lord C'arendon, to reply in the name of ,
p,„ce. it appears hi t there must have been at least seven
the Emperor in his memorable note to M. de Boutotictei; !
(a.' eight persons engaged in it ; and, from the artistic,
ney, in formulating tbe general conditions upon h
wtora• 1
manner in which the vault was laid o e it. is mall
the allied Powers would consent to treat for the r.es I
on. 1 plain that some stonemasons ri n'
"I
1
• e what Is c • the operatioLs. The ob. were engaged to conduct
tion of peace. Those conditions cum rise
antees.'
welf known, pet of the plunderers is pre*
ventionall understood by the 'Four guaer
to a decision, i . Owing to some family differences, the
"Germany, however, would not ceorme
excanged be- aunt of the late Sir John and S'r H 1 retnh resided'
and, while notes and counternotes w
War continued by herself. She ugh Slily
Petersburg, was of somewhat eccentric habit'.
tween Vienna, Berlin, and St. . .
1 • Fiance and Eng- and it was current'
ofy reported at the time of her funeral
and developed itself in the Crrore, ,
the common cause, that a quantity jewels were interred with her, and
land fought before Sehastop,
-I°flor the independence and that the hod h
y, Having been embalmed, the heart was
and they lavished their bFloionaily
Austria asked us if we I placed •artl • 1 lin the coffin, enclosed in a silver box, and
equilibrium cf Euro
"'treat upon the bases of the four that the
would still consent to
was long in the councils of I Wereof breast-plate, handles, &c., upon the coffin
guarantees. The hesitationere, It appeared to them that, after i pure silver. The sacrilegious villains cut open
Allied Pow the lead coffin of the late Sir John Smyth, and also
1 such sad sacrifices, after having1
the two
ts am
such glorious
.effor.
at Alma and et Inkc • , that of the late Lady Smyth. The former they
gained two victories, i•man, when i must lige Lad some difficulty in removing from
,re belie in Sebastopol, and when their '
their
armies were _ 1 its position, as it took four men to-day to replace
' d the Black Sea, they had theright toy
their
fleets occupied to exact , t The
,i . ey were disappointed, however,
But the interest of an alliance with Austriawhich
more. for 1 anticipations of plunder, Lhe leaden coffin in
peace as for war overruled the inspirationof
those legiti- I are contained the remains of the Dowager Lady
mate exactions. The treaty of the 2dof December also, that
the result of that policy.
lantern behind them
were disturbed, as they left a dark
"It was, therefore, from eonsid t: which had been
from the desire of an offensive and
ion to Austria, , and some massive silver ornaments,
of the coffina. A. large
with her, and to give to Germanyand defensive alliance i:appended to the exterior of onet
13 discovery of the offen•
of moderation, that we accepted an unequivocal roof reward has been offered for . 0
the o • t the police have no clue to them,
turns on the hula of the four vertere of negotia- ders, but at present
suspected they
of
13belong to a gami
ourselves always the right guarantees, reserving to although it is more O
the parishes
other condition that might of introducing therein any who have long infested_
is city, and some of edh
mi"ster
l!en
result from the chances of war. I Long Ashton ,pea!
the sentence
ris
"On the part of the received
____ ,
_r,,_ Allied Governments, this act of have recently __
IIa9GC P 4
"WI 91-?./31 llOgaillg
_4;) theirdiguity nor to the La- the Me 00131 f t/1°414" dose aucl apips.