The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-02 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 2,185 L

Further time is to be given to Russia ? Prince
r GORTSCHAKOFF has represented to the diplomatic
circle, assembled at the official residence of the
Earl of WESTMORELAND, that his powers were not
sufficient to enable him to accept the four condi-
tions as interpreted by the Allies. Fourteen days
additional have therefore been accorded beyond the
time previously fixed—the end of December—
to receive the definitive reply of Russia. Such
is the purport of the intelligence from Vienna,
and we see no reason to doubt its accuracy. We
have repeatedly cautioned the public that the in-
dulgence exhibited to the Peace-at-any-Price
party would lead to a hasty mid unjust armistice—
something that could not be regarded as Peace, for
there would beno security for the future tranquillity
of Europe. Indeed a hasty and dishonourable
truce would contain so many eleraents of future
disturbance that all the armaments should be
maintained on a war footing, and there would be
but little, if any, diminution of the war expen-
diture.

Unfortunately the British Parliament has sepa-
parated without obtaining or even demanding the
explanations to which it was justly entitled on
these important points. It allowed everything
to remain in the hands of Lord ABERDEEN and
his colleagues, as if he and they possessed the
unabated, aye the unlimited, confidence of the
people. It thus abdicated its most important
functions, delegating its most sacred duties to
those who certainly hare not as yet exhibited any
peculiar qualifications for the discharge of se great a
trust. We now see one of the consequences of
such a course. England and France have again
entered into negotiations with the Power who,
some time since, informed them that their propo-
sitions were not worth five minutes' consideration.
And with that insult still unexplained and un-
atoned for, they have extended the period allowed
to Austria to develope her final intentions. The
EMPEROR, who had the arrogance and brutality to
send such a message to two such nations, still
prates of his dignity ! and the consideration which
he should receive from those whom hehad thus wan-
tonly outraged. He could not, forsooth, consent to
enter into any conditions as to what he would
do with his own, or, in plainer terms, that would
diminish his preponderance in the Black Sea. In
justice to Prince GORTSCHAKOFF, we believe
that even he did not hold out any hopes of the
CZAR'S assenting to the terms offered by the Allies.
Why, then, was the time allowed to Austria to
declare herself further Was it to enable
NICHOLAS to make another attack on the Allied
Forces in the Crimea ?—if possible to destroy the
besieging army, and to raise the siege of Sebast;):
pol. Seeing the results that have. f'flowed from
all previous delays and, P.ra'Atirnments) we aro jus-
tified in susntrjCing the worst, and warning our
G97ernment against permitting its representative
at Vienna from falling into the palpable snare.
Of course we do not suspend operations during
the fourteen ilayS. Dui, aiti,c, c.ud.
co-operation promises to be as valuable as has
been asserted, the procrastination may be produc-
tive of very serious consequences.

We should be more alarmed if we thought that
there was the slightest possibility that a truce
could be cobbled up. But the pride of INTlelioLls
has not yet been sufficiently abated to induce him
to consent to any terms which even Lord ABER-
DEEN could accept on the part of England. He
will sacrifice the lives of the unfortunate serfs,
and deteriorate the resources of the mighty em-
pire placed under his control, without remorse or
compunction. The gratification of his per-
sonal vanity is of greater importance than
the lives of countless myriads, and the wel-
fare and prosperity of the entire people committed
to his charge. He will, therefore, persevere reck-
lessly and perversely, and the further time thus
accorded will be as completely thrown away as the
period heretofore wasted in abortive negotiations,
in forwarding ridiculously lenient propositions, and
receiving exceedingly deficient and insolent
answers.

The present postponement roust now be sub-
mitted to ; but we earnestly hope that it may be the
last assented to on such specious pretexts. Until
Sebastopol has fallen, and the Crimea is our own,
Russia will accept no overtures, however mode-
rate. She will never agree to the diminution of
her power in the Euxine, until that power has
been completely overthrown, and her pride
humbled. Then, indeed, but not till then, may
she consent to stipulations which are considered
indispensable by the Western nations, and without
which no Treaty of Peace can be concluded.

The new French loan of 500,000,000 franca, or
20,000,000/. sterling, has been already brought
out. The Senate and Legislative Corps
promptly
responded to the Imperial demand. There was
the most perfect unanimity, indeed we may say
enthusiasm, in sanctioning the necessary loan,
which may truly be designated a Patriotic Fund,
in the most extensive and legitimate sense of the
expression. It is to provide for the expenses or
a war undertaken not from any personal or inte-
rested motives, but in the interests of Civilisation,
the sacred cause of Truth and Justice. No doubt
France is justly sensitive respecting the influence
to 'which she is entitled among the Powers of
Europe. she would never degrade herself by
maintaining or strivine, to maintain a humiliating
neutrality while the itames of war were spreading
far and wide, and threatening
Europe
in devastation and blo,odsheptdor.oitnevetlhrree
of all
ftehe el s her
mission as one of the appoints
Justice and Civilisation the nted champions of
com-
paratively weak against the arrogance
of the more powerful ; and this glorious
cupidity
s Privilegeoo
she will maintain at any expense of
blood
and
treasure, and, like her renowned hero " BAYARD,"
in so doing she will be sans pear et sans reproche.
The funds necessary to maintain this position
should be provided by the entire people. It should
be rendered a truly national loan, and the sub-
scription thrown open. to all, without exception.
It is so. The precedent of last year is closely
followed, and we have no doubt that the result
will be as satisfactory as on that memorable and
auspicious occasion. None are excluded. Every
man feels that an appeal has been made to himself
ly. His patriotism is excited—his noblest
p
d on. Ho feels himself indeed a
citizen. His scanty earnings are as cordially re.
idmireuctl
ses acte.
ceived as the thousands and tens of thousands of
the miaiOnairtl/2 If he can fonder for ten

francs of Rentes, his proposition will not
merely be received, but it must reixive
a priority over the applications of more
wealthy claimants. If he possesses two hundred
and six francs (or 8/. 55.), he can becon se that
enviable personage, a rentier ; nay, more, it is
not indispensable that he should have °Tem that
trifling sum in hand ; a small instalment—one-
tenth, or 20 francs GO centimes—is all that he
can be called on to pay down, and the remainder
will be received in 18 monthly instalments.
Thus, if he has sixteen shillings and sixpence avail-
able, and can undertake to pay eight shilling and
fourpence per month out of his earnings, he can
inscribe his name on the glorious list. The policy
of thus extending the bases is unquestionable.
Every person admitted on the roll will have an
additional stake in the country—a new motive
to exert himself in the cause of order and good
government. He will have given a "material 1
guarantee" for his conduct.

Acting on this view, and with the desire to '
make the subscription as universal as possible,
it has been decided that subscribers for not more
than 500 francs of Rentes shall not be subjected
to a proportionate reduction with those tendering ,
for larger amounts. Last year it was only the
subscribers for sums not exceeding 50 francs of
Reit/es that were exempted from reduction.
As to the terms on which the subscriptions are
to be received they are to be the same for all.
Everything is clear and above board. There is
no mystery—no attempt to obtain a trifle more
from the unwary than the Financial Minister would
be -willing to accept. Any man may tender either
for 3 or 4i per Cents. ; for the former at 92, and
the latter at 65fr. 25c. This in the former case
is 50 centimes, or one-half per cent. less than the
quotations for similar Stock sold at the Boisrse on
the preceding day ; while in the latter it is 1.35
less than the quotations.
But these aro not the only advantages offered.
Although, as we have stated, only 10 per cent. of
the subscription is to be paid down, and the
balance will be receivable by eighteen monthly
instalments of 5 per cent. each on the total sum
payable, interest will run on the entire account
of the 4i per Cents. from the 22d September, and
of the 3 per Cents. from the 22d December. Thus
what will be equivalent to a bonus of 2f. 03c.
will be given on the former, and of 2f. Bc. on the
latter ; the advantage will thus be in each case
3f. 43c, on subscriptions—a matter which doubt-
less will bring in numerous bidders, who will be
anxious at the same time to distinguish them-
selves by their patriotic conduct, and to invest
their small accumulations on such favourable
terms.

Of the success of the project we have not the
slightest doubt. It is founded on sound principles.
Would that Mr. GLADSTONE could be induced to
take a lesson from M. BAROCHE, and to learn that
it is more wise in a Minister to conciliate and
please than to disgust and alienate the great body
of the people.

RUMOURED MODIFICATIONS IN THE
ABERDEEN ADMINISTRATION:

The rumours which were last week in circulation, in
the Clubs and the 'West-end circles, of impending Mi-
nisterial changes, have not only not died away, but were,
more rife yesterday than on any previon_f. :Aay. It has
been stated to us, with much conUenee, that Lord Pal•
merston, Lord John .12.xie'sall, Lord Clarendon, and the
Marquie. ;,;Lansdowne are severally in a state of the ut-
most alarm at the way in which the Duke of Newcastle
and Mr. Sidney Herbert are conducting, or rather mis-
conducting, the war ; and it is added that unless the
Minister at War, and the Secretary at War, be forthwith
changed, they will no longer remain under the load of
responsibility which at present rests upon them as Mem-
bers of a Cabinet which gives, at least, its tacit sanotion
to the frightful state of things which now exists in the
Crimea. It is affirmed, in the most positive manner, that
unless the Duke of Newcastle and Mr. Sidney Herbert be
superseded by more competent men in the offices which
tney liwlJ, tho four noblemen we bay, named will resign.
Unfortunately the Earl of Aberdeen, and oven a greater
man than he, resolutely stand by the Minister and Secre•
tary at War. Mr. Gladstone, Sir James Graham, and
Lord Granville, too, are said to be equally in favour of
Ministerial matters remaining as they are. The result
is, that the Cabinet is pretty equally divided. It is
added, that at the Cabinet Council, to be held this
afternoon, the necessity of such modifications in the
Ministry as we have indicated, will be urged with an
earnestness by the first four-mentioned noblemen, which
will leave no doubt in the minds of their colleagues,
that, if their views be not acquiesced in, they will re-
sign. 'We shall soon ascertain whether this impression
be, or be not, well founded. In the meantime, the
country demands—and will be satisfied with nothing
else—such a modification of the Cabinet as will turn all
the Peelites out of Downing-street, and thus afford au
opportunity for the infusion of thoroughly Liberal and
anti-Russian blood into the Cabinet.—Morning Ad-
vertiser.