The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-22 00:00:00

THE VIENNA CONFERENCES.

Mr. S. HERBERT—Sir, I observe that the hon. mem-
ber for Manchester has placed upon the votes of the house
a question tending to lead to a precipitate decision, which
may involve the most momentous consequences to the
country and the whole of Europe. I wish, before the
question is entered upon, to make an inquiry of the noble
lord at the head of the Government, inasmuch as upon his
answer must depend my own course, and probably that of
some other gentlemen iu the house, on the motion about to
be submitted to their decision. I find, upon page 73 of
the papers of the Vienna conferences, a protocol of the 21st
of April, at which my noble friend (Lord J. Russell) was
present, the following paragraph :—" Count Buol does not
consider the different modes of solution as exhausted, and
considers it as especially the task of Austria to look for
means of accommodation. He hopes, therefore, that the
conference will meet again as soon as any of its members
shall haveany newproposition to make." (Hear.) The ques-
tions I wish to ask are these—Does the noble lord con-
sider or not that the different modes of solution are ex•
hausted, or does he consider it, and does Austria still con-
sider it, to be her task to look for means of accommodation,
and is the conference completely dissolved, or is it in such
a state that any of its members may make any new propo-
sitions to the allied powers ?
Lord PALMERSTON—I have no difficulty whatever in
answering the questions of my right hon. friend. Her Ma-
jesty's Government certainly do not consider all the modes
con-
sider one
of solution of the question at issue as exhausted. We
as.
that Austria is still charged, by her own volunparoTen.
sumption and the consent of the allies, with the task
deavouring to discover means of bringing
modation between the contending parties ;
not finally closed
ence, although at present suspended, is
the ountry, or
to a satisfactory-
which was was considered likely to leadd
y to be reassembled.
and if any proposal were made worthy of c
suit, that conference would be
duty ve their most
abut
tahne confer
salerop which might
favourable consideration to any ptria,
with a view to a
come to them from or throliaglAryus
termination of the con-
seGnotvetronment would
jlesctayn,sonGlyoveardndn3,
ethnatttoitbwootuhlet be considered by her Ma-
safe, honourable,
any arrange-
mentequally feel it
e sufficientlylord j
satisfy the honour of the
which did not
)
test. At the
ra and which did not substantially
country—(loud
cheers)—and
for which the war was cora-
ustifies me in making an
accomplish those in
for Manchester. (Hear, hear.)
menced.
DSTONE—With reference to the question of
Mr. GLA
quoted by my
right hon. friendSatMheai
r (dDi fu rt her
Ss n.
AtHaiteoersbtce3:l'nst ) , it appears to me
righhetldh,oan.fufir;itehnedr,
ilmfmansasbaebcirl conference
conference
2wTal nlphayepseti orfao as
a g
April. ht
oe!or eh:
Sincecinocfprh mdtlhanwteoce( thate
on
the conference2Gth owasof
tha alto nswer o
uastrsieaconadiadß
Franceuni by the recital of
April. At that
Russian
proposal was ten-
dered, and that second propos l
p furtherrese
n t a
tciovnefse conference c
Austria
was met by the re-
various strong objections, but
rightly understand the recordmaterials —with a declaration that it
for further discussion,the and ele-
ments of a possible settlement.. (Hear, hear.) On the
t
past of the only representative
it was of England present at tha
conference,
t-ions • e exhausted. Under those circumstances, sir, it,
t.ppears to me that the right hon. member for Manchester
was entirely justified in the sufar as England.
was concerned,,position, so
and in reference to the proposals which
had been laid before the conferences of Vienna, that those
conferences and negotiations had absolutely 4rminated.
No doubt, sir, it is a matter of the utmost delicacy and
difficulty for this house to form a judgment, in circum-
stances so critical, at what point it is their duty o respect
and leave intact the functions of the executive t
Govern-
ment, and where the functions of the Government
judgment termi-
nate and its own function of pronouncing
the conduct of that Government begins.
Mr. ROEBUCK—Sir, I rise to or.der.
Mr. GLADSTONE—Then, to be in order, I shall end by
- the adjournment of the house. (Hear, hear.) I was
moving
going to say that it appeared to I e that, upon the record
as it stood before the house, theright hon. gentleman was
perfectly warranted in believing that there was, so far, so
much at least of .an absolute termination to the negotia-
tion upon the basis before
asis before us that the time had arrived
when be might just y appeal to the house for its judgment
upon the subject. I concurred, I confess, in that opinion ;
I did feel, I believe along with him, that if the house had
permitted the papers which have been laid upon the table
of the house W Main there without an expression of