The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-31 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1855.

It is perfectly clear that matters are all at
" sixes and sevens" at Vienna--that there is " a
pretty kettle of fish" cooking in the Austrian
capital. The hurried visit of M. DxorryN DE
VRIITS to London—his interview with her most
gracious MAJESTY—his protracbod clisouodoz: with
the English Minister, and intended visit to Vienna
in order to participate in the pending Conferences
--prove, beyond the possibility of doubt, that a
serious crisis is impending, if it has not already
arrived, and that it is of the utmost importance
that France and England should exert all their
power and influence to extricate themselves credit-
ably from the emergency. Nor are these the only
ominous symptoms. The wily NESSELRODE has
also announced his determination to attend, and to
take part in the discussion of the Third Point,
which has been passed over ostensibly until fresh
instructions have been received, but really until
the arrival of the new actors at the arena in which
their abilities are to be subjected to such strin-
gent tests.

These events lend additional corroboration to
the rumours in circulation respecting the vacilla-
tion of FR,INCIS JOSEPH'. If the representatives
of England, France, and Austria were completely
ea accord—if they were perfectly decided as to
the inevitable conditions to be demanded and
finally insisted on, there could be no necessity for
the journey of the French statesman ; nor would
NESSELRODE consider that his presence was re-
quired unless the difficulty was one of no ordinary
character, and that he entertained at least a rea-
sonable hope of a successful issue.
" Nee Deus intersit nisi dignus vindice nodus
Statesmen occupying such elevated positions
would not interfere save on a question of deep
and almost vital importance.
There is another very significant point, which
casts additional light on the objects and motives
of the parties to the discussion. Prince GORT-
SCHAKOFF and M. DE TITOFF deny that, by the
acceptance of the Third Point as the basis of
negotiations, their Government has recognised the
principle of a diminution of the power of Russia
in the Euxine, and this notwithstanding the ex-
planatory memorandum of the 28th December,
which it was supposed would have removed any
doubt that could have arisen on the very plain
and intelligible language of the point previously
agreed to. Not satisfied with the retention of
Sebastopol, not only with unabated but even ad-
ditional strength, they insist on the maintenance
(11 a powerful navy in the Euxine, asserting that
the demand for a reduction of the Russian fleet
Is contrary to the dignity and sovereign rights of
the Empi,e.,,
It is fortunate for the Western Powers and
their injured Ally, Turkey, that Russia should
thus early exhibit this perverse obstinacy, as well
as palpable duplicity, and that she should not
avail herself of tne absurdly lenient conditions to
which the opposing powers are said to have
assented. As we have repeatedly
pointed out, any
peace which permitted the Russian cannon
to
bristle on the walls of Sebastopol and its numerous
fortifications to remain standing, must be alike
dishonourable and precirious. Should she eon,_
pel the armaments of France and England to re-
turn without accomplishing the object on which
they had set their hearts, her own
prestige would
be increased, while ours would be diminished inan inverse ratio. Nor, while an impregnable po-
sition was available, could any reliance be placed
on -unguaranteed promises, however stringent, or
oaths, however sacred. They would only bo kept
mail the convenience which led to their being
made—the only matter that would have weight '
with Russian—permitted their violation. We
can only, then, rejoice at the difficulty that
has thus fortunately occurred, and which may
prevent a peace so disgraceful and:prejudicial to
France and England as their representatives
would have sanctioned.
Why, then, it may be asked, if such were the