The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-01 00:00:00

tainly cannot be considered out of place to ask its
originators with what particular object it has been
planned, and on what basis it is proposed to carry
it into operation. Such was in effect the informa-
tion demanded of the Government by the leader of
the Opposition last evening ; and although the
reply of the Premier could scarcely be considered
as entirely satisfactory, Mr. Disraeli secured his
main olject of slightly ventilating the foreign
policy of the Government. Generally speaking, it
may be assumed that, if the proposed Conference
takes place, the basis of negotiations will be fur-
nished by the Treaty of London, and by the recog-
nition of the political necessity of maintaining the
integrity and independence of the kingeual
of Den-
mark. So much was taken for granted by Mr'
Disraeli, and would, as a matter of course, be cone
firmed by her Majesty's Government. But It
happens, singularly enough, that r.o gar opean_
States have been louder in their protestations of
adherence to the London Tieaty than Austria arra
Prussia, and none have more unequivocally add
mined the principle of the integrity and independ-
ence of the Danish monarchy. set, notwithstand-
ing this reciprocity of sentiment between Great
Britain and the principal German Powers, how"
comes it that the latter have invaded and occupi▪
ed
a considerable portion of the Danish territorieza
whilst the former has been exhausting the resource§
of diplomacy to prevent the accomplishment of these
acts of aggression ? It must be manifest, therefore,
that the Cabinet of St. James's and those of Berlin
and Vienna must employ the same terms with a
different signification, and consequently that thy
announcement that the Conference will be held by'
the representatives of Powers prepared to recogni▪
se
the integrity and independence of Den mark in truth
conveys no intelligible meaning. It vsee not sur-
prising, then, that Mr. Disraeli should lie curious
to knot the exact interpretation which is so be
put upon these apparently plain terms at the pra-
jected Conference ; and it was still less surprising'
that the Premier was unable to afford him the
desired information. The Austrian and Prussian
Governments, through profuse in admissions of the
validity of the Treaty of London, have always
coupled them with a singular qualification. They
have always acknowledged that treaty 'fin prin-
ciple," and in the same spirit have recognised the
integrity of the Danish monarchy. But until we
obtain a key to the interpretation of this clause, it
is idle to say that Great Britain and the German
Powers will be of one accord in their treatment of
the Dano-German question. Perhaps, however, it
may be thought premature to canvass the subject-
matter of discussion of a Conference which is still
in embryo, and the Government may consider it na
slight diplomatic triumph to have brought the dis-
putants on speaking terms, though they have not
yet determined what they shall talk about. In re-
ferring to the foreign policy of the Government,
Mr. Disraeli could not avoid the temptation of refer-
ring to some of the fiaschi which have marked the
diplomatic career of the Secretary for Foreign
Affairs. It is undeniable that the history of the past
would augur unfavourably for the future, although
it by no means follows that failure may not be the
parent of success, and that indiscretion may not
give place to prudence and caution. It cannot
with fairness be said that the Leader of the Oppo-
sition merited the Premier's reproach of abusing
an absent man, because Earl Russell is a member
of the Upper House, since it is obvious that s
Minister of State does not possess, and ought not
to possess, an immunity from criticism in the House
of Commons from the accidental circumstance of
being a peer. The chief answer, however, which
it is in the power of the Government to give to al/
criticisms on their foreign policy is (furnished by
the fact that this country is at peace with all the
world. England has endeavoured to arrange the
differences of other States; and if, in this respect,
she has failed, she has at all events contributed In
avoid entanglement in quarrels with which she had
no immediate concern. If peace was the final ob-
ject of foreign policy, there oan be no doubt that
her Majesty's Government would be entitled to un-
qualified praise. But even peace, it may be urged,
can be purchased too dearly. Whether we have
paid an extravagant price for the proud privilege of
asserting that we are at peace with the entire
world is a question which many perhaps may con-
sider open to discussion. The time, however, can-
not be far distant when her Majesty's Government
will be prepared to expose fully, and. if need be, to
justify the policy which they have pursued in the
conduct of our foreign relations.