The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-27 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1855.

Scarcely had Lord JOHN RUSSELL departed
from Vienna when it was announced that Russia
was prepared to bring forward propositions on the
basis of the Third Point. Having so long and
so pertinaciously refused to adopt this course,
even when invited thereto by the representatives
of the other Powers, having exhausted every pos-
sible pretext for procrastination, it was rather
late for Russia to adopt the initiative, or attempt
to obtain further delays, during which Austria is
to continue neutral. The required meeting was,
however, granted. The Russian propositions were
considered and peremptorily rejected, and we now
learn that M. DROTTYN DE 12 IltrYs positively starts
from the Austrian capital this day, on his home-

ward journey.
Now that it is quite clear that peace cannot
be restored on the basis of the Four Points, it is
time that Austria should clearly and unequivo-
cally announce the course which she is deter-
mined to pursue. As we have repeatedly declared
from the time that the terms of the Treaty of the
2d of December were published she has bound
herself to nothing—has entered into no distinct
or definite engagement, beyond binding herself to
" deliberate" on the ulterior measures to be
adopted. She may, therefore, if she think pro-
per, merely " keep the word of promise to the
ear." The " deliberation" may prove as abortive
as that which has just taken place at the Con-
ferences, but Austria still will have literally per-
formed her contract. Should she, however, per-
form so unworthy, so disgraceful a part, it is to
be hoped that France and England will give full
expression to their honest indignation, and prove
that they will not suffer themselves to be duped
with impunity. That "an armed neutrality,"
with possession of the Principalities, will not,
under any circumstances, be allowed to Austria ;
and that Prussia must also exchange her pre-
tended neutrality for a more decided and straight.
forward policy.
It is now clear that Peace must be conquered.
We have unhesitatingly declared this fact from the
beginning, and experience has fully tested the
accuracy of the views we have from time to time,
put forward in reference to the Eastern question..
Even " eminent statesmen," as they are facetiousl3-
termed, whose only perceptible qualification was
a "forty-marine power" of credulity, an exces-
sive amount of gullibility, must at length be
satisfied on this point. Ministers must hence-
forward be prepared to afford full information to
Parliament and to the country, and must at once
and for ever abandon the affectation of mystery,
under cover whereof they withhold important in-
formation, on the stale pretext that its publication
might be injurious to her MAJESTY'S service.
g' Secret diplomacy" has involved the nation in a
desperate contest for life or death. The refusal
to permit the publication of the true state of-
affairs, and the demand, so universally conceded,
for unlimited confidence in the ABERDEEN Admi-
nistration, has led to the most disastrous and
calamitous results—has brought discredit on the
British name, and cost the lives of thou-
sands of our gallant troops, and millions
of money. We should surely, then, albeit
at the eleventh hour, modify the system so
thoroughly condemned by experience, and permit
the People of Great Britain to know the progress
of events in the cause for which they are paying
highly and making so many sacrifices to
sustain.

no return.
There is but one remedy for all this ; we have
urged its adoption before. We most earnestly
hope that if our advice be unheeded, England may
not very soon find it out too late, too late at least
to avoid immense sacrifices merely to recover lost
This is the
more
went when anew necessary at the present mo- ground. The remedy is, of course, for the people
element has just
been introduced, to look to its own business. It cannot, indeed,
whereby authentic
intelligence will be received become the Executive and administer affairs itself,
from the. Crimea i
hours as it formerlv
took days to transmit, as many but it can call its administrators to account, and
%nit, Th
trio telegraph from e °Perkin', of the elec-
ordiear7aibay demand that right-hearted and competent ser-
aßalakiava
regarded as
novel feature of ne beNow is the proper time.
van is take their place.
being voted ; it will depend
conduct of the War. It , portance in the Immense supplies are
4sPens
representatives of independent on the chosen upon the people alone 'whether these millions are
constituencies feasted or used. For years to come an effete and
whether it may be rendered really b
the country. If it is to be retained beneficial to selfish aristocracy may wear us out with redoubled
in the hands of Ministers, if all that eisnstively loans and enhanced taxes, while they will achieve
from the Crimea during a perL be nothing better than mismanaged and futile cam-
announcednine days, when intelligence was anxiously sough,. of I t
a.l_g_us, and inglorious negotiations. Our pockets
for, not only by those who had relatives or friends \
ebuttilneutube safe from the inroaSs of aristocratic
engaged in the deadly conflict, but by the coin- \ tocracy reallyrsof the Exchequer, nor will our aris-
Munity at large, is the simple announcement that 1 fer to their
humble the despots whom they pre-
the 4,D0 Peoples unless
—.egra,-,
P has been opened, the acknow- i4lelf from its pre , the country arouse
lodgment of Rent quietness.
a message received from the Admi- Every constitaeuey .
"AV, or the
'valuable information that there was vast multitudes of lu the kingdom, and the
nothing to CO the ,ic
retaunicate from Sebastopol during now meet, and tell - the R
thereon-electors too, should
a period of eight days 1 what end they are elected. goose of Commons for
" Ex pea be paid for in heavy- pecuu•UPineness now will
. e nerculem "
x rom such trifling, and.tary pemalti bitter
t;, as it seems to 11g, con- disappointments, and unavailing now
imelious proceedings, we -regrets. The
may easily judge of future will be as the past if the people do