The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-14 00:00:00

TEE VIENNA CONFERENCES.

' The papers which have just been laid before Parliament,
for the purpose of elucidating the communications of the
Western Powers with the Austrian Government, are by
far the most curious and important documents published
in the whole series of these transactions. They demon-
strate with precision what the views of the British Cabinet
• were on the fulfilment of the Third Point as explained by
Lord Clarendon. They show that from an early period in
the negotiation Austria was endeavouring to evade the
obligation created by the Treaty of the 2d of December.
They reveal the discussions which took place at Vienna in
Count Buol's apartments, for the purpose of arranging the
course of proceeding in the formal meetings of the Con-
ference ; and, lastly, they indicate the exact moment of
' Lord John Russell's apostacy from the principles he was
sent to Vienna especially to advocate and defend. We
shall endeavour here to present our readers with a suc-
cinct analysis of the leading occurrences thus brought be-
fore us, though the papers themselves will be found in
another part of our impression.
As early as the 3d of April an Austrian communication
was made to Lori Clarendon to the effect, that although
the Cabinet of Vienna preferred the expedient of the
limitation of the Russian naval forces in the Black Sea,
yet, in the event of Russia rejecting that proposition alto-
gether, Austria, not being at present engaged in hostilities,
would have no sufficient motive to declare war against
Russia if this were• the sole obstacle to peace. To meet
this contingency Count Buol was of opinion that recourse
must be had to the system of counterpoise ; and it may
here be observed that the whole of this discussion might
be summed up in two words--viz., whether the cessation
of the preponderance of Russia in the Black Sea was to be
effected on the principle of limitation or on that of coun-
terpoise.
Upon this important point the British Government, as
represented by Lord Clarendon, has never had the slightest
hesitation ; and we are happy to add that nothing can be
more clear and peremptory than the despatches of the
Foreign Minister throughout this correspondence. Lord
Clarendon instantly told Count Colloredo that he " had
heard the Austrian despatch with equal surprise and con-
cern, as it was nothing short of a declaration that Austria
would not adhere to the treaty of the 2d of December if
the Western Powers persisted in carrying the third basis
into effect, for Count Buol must be aware that his pro-
posed system of counterpoise was both inadequate and
impracticable." He then exposes with great force of argu-
ment the absurdity of such conditions, and concludes in
the following language :
" Yet such were the terms, I said, upon which Count
Buol seemed desirous to conclude a peace that was to be
honourable and just'—that was to maintain the indepen-
dence and integrity of Turkey, and that was to furnish
solid guarantees for the future tranquillity of Europe; but
I need hardly say that in such arrangements her Majesty's
Government could take no part. If the war went on, it
would be for Austria to consider her own position, not
only during its continuance after the preparations she had
made, the language she had held, and the engagements she
had entered into, but also at its conclusion, when peace
was made between the four belligerent Powers."
The instructions sent to Lord John Russell on the same
day were, that he should explain to Austria the system of
neutralisation, which meant that all vessels of war should
be excluded from the Black Sea, and also that of the limi-
tation of the naval force ; and he was also instructed that,
in the event of Austria refusing to bind herself to co-ope-
rate in war with France and England upon Russia's reject-
ing both propositions, the negotiations must be broken off.
The Austrian Government, in the confidential conversa-
tions which are here reported by Lord John Russell, ad-
mitted the value of these expedients, and promised them
her support in the Conference; but it declared that Aus-
tria was not prepared to go to war on account of the re-
fusal of Russia to limit her naval force in the Black Sea,
and thought that the same end might be accomplished by
otl er means. M. Drouyn de Lhuys and Lord 'John ener-
getically opposed and refuted these Austrian suggestions ;
and Lord John, in particular, dec'ared that "the project
of counterpoise was ineffectual, as we could not always
have a large fleet at hand ; humiliating to Turkey, if she
were always to lean on France and England • unsafe for
Europe, which would be kept in the perpetual' ferment of
preparation for war." Count Bnol seemed shaken by these
arguments, and Lord John reported that `,` this was, in
his opinion, an attempt on the part of Austria to induce
the Western Powers to relinquish their proposals on the
third point ; as such it had entirely failed." This was on
the 9th of April, and a fortnight later he received the ap-
proval of her Majesty's Government for the ability with
which he had held his ground. But in the interval a sin-
gular change had occurred.
On the 16th Lord John himself put forward a plan by
which, so long as the Russian naval force in the Black
Sea should not exceed four sail of the line, four frigates,
,and six smaller vessels, other Powers at amity with the
Sultan should have the right of sending half that force re-
spectively into the Euxine ; and that, if the Russian force
was increased beyond that limit, a large number of ships
of war of the Sultan's allies should be admitted. So that
, we have here the first symptoms of the British Plenipo-
tentiary coming round to that very system of counterpoise
which Lord Clarendon held to be "inadequate and im-
practicable," and Lord John himself five days before de-
clared to be "ineffectual."
We shall not attempt to follow the diplomatic conclave
into the nice and subtle elaboration to which these propo-
sitions were subjected. The substance of them may be
summed up in very few words :—Austria, foreseeing, or
more probably knowing, that Russia would not consent to
the direct limitation of her naval forces was endeavouring
to obtain the assent of the Western Powers to propositions
of a totally different character, more especially calculated
to throw over to an indefinite period the ensue belts in
which she herself is involved. The last scheme was, that
Austria would make it a casus belli by treaty if Russia
should hereafter increase her naval force in the Black Sea
beyand the number maintained by her in 1853—that is to
say, beyond the armament she had prepared to suppo,t
Prince Menschikoff's mission, and to execute the massacre
of Sinope ; and this was the proposal which Lord John.
Russell, on the 18th of April, thought deserving of his as-
sent. To quote his own words on so important a point :
" I confess it appears to me that if this third system can be
made an ultimatum by Austria, it ought to be accepted by
by the Western Powers. In .sayingthis I may appear to con-
tradict my former opinions; but, in fact, I do not tea.. ct
those opinions. The system of limitation I believe to be far
better than that of counterpoise. But the question is be-
tween an imperfect security for Turkey and for Europe and
the continuance of the war."

This " imperfect security," then, was precisely what
Lord John Russell was, on his own showing, prepaied to
accept. He even begged that he might be allowed to be
heard personally by his colleagues in support of it before
a final decision was made. But the question was notonly
between an " imperfect security and the continuance of
the war." The real question lay between honour and
disgrace, between success and defeat. Within three days
of this very date, and while this shameful despatch was
still on the road to London, Lord Clarendon told Count
Colloredo, in very different anguage, that "England and
France were not prepared to sacrifice to the alliance of
Austria their honour and the future security of Europe,
and that peace upon the terms proposed by Count Buol
would be as dishonourable as it would be hollow and un-
safe." Such was the Plenipotentiary, such was the Mi-
nister; the one already crouching in imperfect security,
the other repelling almost as ;,n insult the proposals his
colleague had accepted. But one touch is wanting to com-
plete the picture. Before Lord John Russell could know
the impression produced in London by his defection he
makes Count Buol the depository of his recantation, and
pledges himself to that Minister to support the proposi-
tion of the Austrian Cabinet against the policy of his own
country and its Allies, and against the recorded instruc-
tions and declarations of his own official superior. We
doubt if the annals of diplomacy or of official life can fur-
nish another example of an important mission performed
with such wilful indifference to the first principles of
consistency and duty. It is unnecessary to pursue in this
place the subsequent incidents in this transaction, so far
as they concern Lord John Russell—his ambiguous
demeanour on his return, his war speech in the
House of Commons, which was a practical fraud on Par-
liament, and his fresh attempt to dislocate the Govern-
ment upon a reverse having befallen the British army;
but, if ever a severe condemnation fell upon a Minister,
luord John Russell is that Minister ; and the Government
shares his fault in not having instantly punished him by
dismissal.
It is proved, however, by these despatches that the lan-
guage of Lord John Russell to his colleagues in no degree
affected the tone or conduct of the Prime Minister or the
Foreign Secretary. We refer more particularly to the
despatches of the Bth of May, the 29th of May, and the 2d
of June, written after Lord John had returned to this
country, and we are convinced they will he read by men
of all parties with pride and satisfaction. The propositions
which Austria wish to substitute for those of the Western
Powers, and for the interpretation she had herself before
adopted, are literally pulverized by argument. The posi-
tion of Austria, with the Western Powers alienated, Prus-
sia triumphing over her in Germany, and Russia bent on
her humiliation, is shown to be almost intolerable; yet
these stern truths are conveyed to our timorous ally with
so much courtesy of language that she could not resent
their application. But, above all, the peat end of the
war, the diminution of the power of Russia, as a State
which had become menacing to the peace and security of
the world, is steadily kept in view. This is the end to
which Lord Clarendon has throughout steadily adhered,
even against the defection of colleagues and of friends,
pledging himself that "England and France will not
abandon that cause, but will use every means at their
commaud, and will shrink from no sacrifice, to obtain their
demands, which are founded on justice and have the safety
of Europe for their object." This principle we believe to
have the united support of the Government as it will now
be constituted, and we are confident that this principle
alone will obtain the suffrages of the Parliament and the
people of England.—Times.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.—The annual election
of officers to this institution took place on the 11th inst.,
when William Lawrence, Esq., F.R.S., was elected re-
Edward and Benjamin Travers, Esq., F.R.S., and
Stanley, Esq., 141.R.5., were elected vice-
presidents, being the second occasion on which this
honour has been conferred on each of the above-
named gentlemen. At a meeting of the Court of
Examiners on the 13th inst., the following gentlemen
were admitted members of the college, having pre,ioi sly
undergone the necessary examinations, viz.: Messrs.
Charles Dumaine, Trinidad, West Indies ; Charles Sey-
mour Thane, Bayhankerrace, Camden-town ; Samuel
Fuller, army ; William Lau Spencer, York-place)
Portman-square ; Frederick John Wells, Victoria-road,
Pimlico ; Lawrence Kiernan, Australia ; John Ha 1,
Caroline.place,
land, Godahning, Surrey ; Peter Vincent Timothy,
Haverstock-hill ; Henry Frederick Hol-
Auitralia ; David Henry Ogden, Skipton in Craven ;
Michael James Callender, Greenside, Durham ; and
William Sims, Southampton.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLTGOO,r

Her Majesty's new yacht Victoria and Albert, .31etain
I
the Hon. Joseph Denman, left Cowes at noon ye,,.erdsss
and ste.ooed round the Isle of Wight, whielf Passage ",f
accomplished in three hours and 20 minutes, a.distaco 5,
about 62 miles by the chart. The Chester steam-to%
port was towed into Portsmouth harbour yesterday by F 134
Echo tug to land her obsolete stores. The foll°vn rt
troops are under orders to embark in the steam-transP,a,,,,
Arabia at Portsmouth dockyard (probably today) for !I',
Crimea :-11 officers, 165 men, and 128 horses of thefo
Dragoon Guards; 25 horses of the Ist Dragoons; 25
of the 13th Light Dragoons; 1 officer, 1 man, and 2 11°Z
of the sth Dragoon Guards ; Major Wear; 2 men, a; the
horses of the 50th Foot ; Lieutenant Heywood,
Rifler-
Brigade ; and 1 medical officer. The City of .11.,,
Teen steam-transport is expected at Portsmouth this "7,
to receive troops.
The Powerful, 84, Captain T. L. Massie, from P°111„:
mouth, with seamen, marines, and stores for the Crian"'
arrived at Plymouth yesterday.
114 The Penguin, 6, Commander Etheridge, which eV,.
at Plymonth on Thursday from the Cape of Good JOri:
has been absent. from England 4 years 7 months and 2 drqy
She went first to Sierra Leone, where she continued ilb;
months, and captured two prizes. The remainder of
0.
time was expended at the Cape and the Mozambique Cllbe
nel where she captured a bark and a dow. Almost all
officers and crew who went out in her continue on 10'
and, although fever has visited the ship, there has been De
fatal case. She lost two men by accident—one throng
fail of a tree when cutting firewood at Sierra Leone, Lr,
another, Danford, a carpenter, wire), tenaciously endeela
ing to recovers bucket from the side of the ship when Da .0
full sail, was drawn overboard and drowned. The Pellet
is so rotten in the bows that fears were entertained of
ea
fitness to undertake the passage home. She was appoitt
to go up Hamoaze yesterday.
The steam-vessel Avon, from Woolwich, arrived al 11.
mouth on Thursday. •
The Rhadamanthus, steam store-ship, Maste&CFlr,,
mander Belem, arrived at Woolwich yesterday mornsrw
conveyed machinery, &c., to Portsmouth. 14
Orders arrived at Sheerness yesterday for the Meteerrtio
guns, floating-battery, Captain F. B. P. Seymour, Ow
taken into No. 1 dry-deck, to make good damage (3 t
screw-propeller. The Trusty, floating-battery, was P.
out of the dock, and the Meteor was taken into the PP.-
yesterday, and will be docked to-day.
The .lEolus store-ship, .Master-Commander W illia9l,
Browne, yesterday had only one lighter more of 8101'0
complete the quantity ordered to be shipped, on the rece'fit
of which she will immediately be swung for the adjustrte,
of her compasses. She is to proceed direct for the Ba,' ,
:vev,
The Eurotas, 44-gun frigate, now in No. 2 dry Ocrecl
Sheerness, to be fisted for a mortar ship, is being alt4er
to adapt her for a screw propeller. She will have Prgosi
ful machinery. A large number of artificers are =lO
on her.
Orders have arrived at Sheerness for mails to be nee.
up ready to be put on board the Centaur, 6-gun Parole
wheel steam-frigate, Captain W. J. C. Clifford, and jet
Hermes, 6-gun paddle-wheel steam-sloop, Conireo,l,
Henry Coryton, to be ready to-morrow and Monday
The number of horses and troops the Transit is 013
lated to take out on her present outward passage are
af
horses on the main deck and 60 on the upper deck,
of
troops, in addition to her officers and crew, consistiago,
160 in all. She stows one month's provision for 1,000 Wiri.
and 87 tons of water. Her coppers are capable of co'
for 1,000 troops or seamen on full allowance. tteil
Ten seamen belonging to the Meteor floating
have been committed to Maidstone Gaol for 28 daysy„,"o(
hard labour for negligence of duty and insolence.
":111
these men were recently paid oft from the Lily, 14."
sleoe, at Devonport.
Tr 13 merchant ship Kangaroo, Captain Pickering, fr°,ollll
Adel ide, 18th of March, for London, landed a mail an'o
passengers at Plymouth on Friday. She spoke Apri,l 0
in ht. • 9 12, loag. 44 E. the ship Cherusker, 45 days l,
C,Aeutta, for London ; May 18, in lat. 15 30 lone% 4 ° d
the bark Dina, for Java ; June 12, in lat. 'l9 O'N. I°,ll
26 0 W., The bark hank of England, steering north,,,,,
the ship Humboldt, 16 days, from New York, from .11!'r.
burg.
Ensign Carl von Blucher, grandson of the late 31 „s„
Blucher, has volunteered to serve in the Foreign Leg.'" 4
He was brought over from Heligoland by the Horatio,
eJ
landed at Folkestone with 185 other volunteers, nearly
of whom are perfect in their small-arm drill. the
The following appointments were made yesterday a"
Admiralty :
Tice
Captain Robert Fanshawe Stopford to the Queen
Mitchell.

Surgeon John Dunlop, to the Excellent.
A. R. Brown, master's assistant, to the Hermes. lit,
During the present week 54 men and 41 horses of 'or,
13th Light Dragoons, for some time past stationed at 1.),10
chester, have left that town for Southampton, under ,
command of Lieutenant Mac Neil. They will there
bark for the Crimea.
About 8 a.m. yesterday several companies of Horse
tillery and Sappers, in heavy marching order, with °rat
battery companies, were paraded at oolwich for fait,
service. The horses and equipments are completely lepg
and the men, mostly recruits, are a fine, healthy-10Po
set of fellows, apparently well adapted for the duties
which they are about to be engaged. dr
wo
Large reinforcements for the Crimea continue to o
spatched with all possible speed from the Irish ports. Joe
following movements are reported from Cork, under uevo,
of Thursday:—The Trafalgar transport arrived in Qne,
1,
town yesterday, to take out draughts• of the 13th, 4f
47th, and 55th Regiments to the seat of war. -Lave
draughts number about 350 men. The following draw
were yesterday conveyed by river steamers on boardt of
Bride of the Sea transport, for conveyance to the senn
war :--30th Foot-2 captains, 4 subalterns, 3 sergeants,
5
terue,
drummers, 71 rank and file. 49th-1 captain, 4
5 sergeants, 2 drummers, 143 rank and file.
eßstb:
terns, 1 sergeant, 1 drummer, 18 rank and file. k sigt
—6 subalterus, 5 sergeants, 2 drummers, 143 rank *c/C
file. The 9th and 89th draughts were conveyedfroln.--erifor and immediately embarked on board a river steamer for
conveyance to the same transport, the former consiB76
of 1 cant ,in, 2 subalterns, 2 sergeants, 2 drummers, ,
rank and file ; and the latter, 2 captains, 6 subaltern!)
sergeants, 2 drummers, 108 rank and file; total embark
on board this transport--6 captains, 26 subalterns, 21 see'
geants, 11 drummers, 569 rank and file. Draughts et.%,
17th and 39th also arrived from Limerick yesterdaY, '„„
strength of the former being 2 captains, 4 subalterns, 51'',
geants, 2 drummers. 130 rank and file; the latter, 3 Ciirci
t sins, ;; subalte:ns, 5 sergeants, 2 drummers, 113 rank t;,,
file, to embark on board the Royal Charlie, which is horVa
expected in the harbour, for conveyance to Balaklava. Th
following officers accompany the dranglik;
Dalrymple, Lieutenants Gatty and Tryon. 17th-- .
7 2
tains Brabazon and Lindesay, Esigns Parker and Robin'
son. The remainder .of the officers are one overlsnau's
The Duke of Bedford transport arrived yesterday fort .
conveyance of a further reinforcement to the troops in
Crimea. She takes out draughts of the 21st and 51v 6
now in barracks, amounting to 13 officers, 10 sergeants..
' drummers amounting to 13 officers 10 sergeants, 8 dranio
mars, and 322 rank and file. These will, it is expected
on board this evening. The following officers embark-1v
the Crimea, per the Bride of the Sea :-30th Foot—Brev_fe.
Major Campbell, Captain Brooke Lieutenants MoorsuL
and Tolcher, Ensigns Deane and dampbell. 49th F°°;ij,
Captain Astley, Lieutenants Rogers, Madan and row.„,i,
Ensign Bnrrowes. 50th Foot—Lieutenants DirOP
ood'
Creagh, Hickman, and Leach. 68th—Lieutenants B-lo
Fri
Light, Nicholetts, Clarkson, Thornton. and Stuart.
following embark per the transport Duke of Bedford ..to
57th Regiment—Captains Stewart and Lloyd, Lieutenio
Schoenberg, Sir R. Douglas, Shure, and Clarke, Ensign
Chantar and Baynton.
It is rumoured that the 3d Dragoon Guards and are to proceed to India.