The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-20 00:00:00

Bosphorus, strongly fortified, prevents the
approaches to the Mediterranean, while
the Cattegat was a formidable obstacle to the free ,
movements of the Baltic Fleet. Archangel was,
as we have shown, hermetically sealed up by frost
for two-thirds of the year, and the Sea of Okhotsk,
besides the same inconvenience, was too remote,
opening on the North Pacific—admission to the
Atlantic being the great object. A mode was,
however, open, by which she might accomplish
her wishes. There was within sight, almost within
her very grasp, a port which would fulfil every
necessary condition, and the possession whereof
would achieve the great desideratum. Varanger
Gulf or Bay, although within the Arctic Circle,
being situated about 70 deg. north latitude and
30 east longitude, is generally open during the
entire year. It possesses great natural capabilities
for being converted into a first-class naval station,
of almost impregnable strength. Not more
earnestly did AHAB covet the vineyard of NABOTH
the Jezreelite than did the CZAR, the small addition
to his already over-grown dominions, which would
give him perpetual access to the Atlantic without
any portals which other nations might be entitled
to close against him. It was to him like the
" rot) ma" Of ARCHIMEDES, the possession whereof
might enable him to realise his most audacious
conceptions.
A boundary question was therefore raised with
Sweden, and a portion of territory, ix itself barren
and of but little value, was disputed. This would
supply a pretext for a quarrel at any time that
might prove convenient for Russia—a quarrel ix
which Sweden, if unaided by the Western Powers,
should necessarily succumb to her powerful an-
tagonist, and surrender all that could be required.
Other efforts were also made, apparently of a very
moderate character, to introduce "the sharp end
of the wedge," by obtaining even a fishing station
on the coveted coast. If that were conceded,
however, we should behold a transformation far
more extraordinary than any that even the Wizard
of the North could display. By a waive
of the magic wand the fishing station would
vanish, and a port and arsenal substituted,
exceeding in power either Cronstadt or Sebastopol,
and calculated, indeed, to become "a standing
menace to Western Europe," and one from whence
the British Isles and France would be peculiarly
open to attack.

The Treaty above referred to has now for ever
disposed of this expectation. Sweden is firmly
pledged, not only not to yield any portion of her
territory to Russia, but to give immediate notice
to the Allies of any proposition tending to such
a result ; which, on the other hand, France
and England have bound themselves not to
permit. And this guarantee also applies to the
Islands in the Baltic, as well as those on the
Norwegian coast. Finmark is thus for ever
preserved against Muscovite machinations ; and
a great step has been made towards securing the
active co-operation of Sweden, the terror which
might have induced her to abstain from offending
so dangerous a neighbour being now completely
removed. It is, we repeat, a very decided stop
in the right direction ; but we believe that fur-
ther arrangements must be come to before we can
hope to see the gallant Swedes fighting on the
side of the Western Powers, against their ancient
foe, the plunderers of so goodly a portion of their
dominions.

It is singular to see how completely the PEELS
and the PERLITES have parted company. Sfr
ROBERT and Mr. FREDERICK in office under PAL-
MERSTON, aid hot fer humbling Russia, while
ABERDEEN, GLADSTONE, GRAHAM, and HERBERT
are simpering about the sorrows of war, the bles-
sings of peace, the dignity of Russia, and all the
pretty things which delight the COBURGS and the
great cotton-spinners. Sir ROBERT in office actually
denounces the do-nothing policy of the Admiralty,
and breathes quite an English wrath against the
oppressor of Poland and Hungary. But Mr.
FREDERICK has most surprised us. Essentially a
red-tapist and a trimmer, what could bring him
out so last Friday when addressing his constituents
at Bury. He might have passed muster in the
native district of his family, in the place where
they earned their wealth, and where public-house
signs witness their popularity, without launching
out half so far. Was he thinking of a dissolution ?
If so, it showed that he foresaw what even a manu-
facturing constituency in the present state of trade
required ; he deemed it necessary to canvass by
the most out-spoken declamation possible to his
character and position. For him his language
far transcended that of his more ardent and free-
hearted brother, and his constituents were evi-
dently gratified at the unexpected manliness of
his speech. His seat is safe if Parliament be
dissolved.
But there may have been another and more
proximate stimulant to the oratory of our mecha-
nical and calculating Under-Secretary for th; War
Department. Prince ESTERHAZY and the Vienha
ultimatum are steaming it and sledging it to St.
Petersburg. No peace is possible but by the
frank and unconditional acceptance of these pro-
posals. Mr. FREDERICK was supposed to be a peace
man in the Ministry, and as the sub to a Russellite
Whig, and a PEEL too, the supposition was natural.
He may therefore, and others with him, have
come to his senses. He may see that there is po-
sitively no alternative but the acceptance by
Russia of the present terms, or inflicting on her
such a chastisement as she ought to have received
at least this spring. He indicated distinctly, re-
ferring to the rumours of peace, that "if Russia
humbled was ready to offer suitable conditions,
he was willing to accept them, whether coming
directly, or through another." But he declared
quite as distinctly that "if she was not content
to sue for peace, and make terms that would satisfy
us for the future, then our course was clear
enough; we must redouble our efforts ; we must so
employ the time during the winter as to com-
mence in the spring with a still more powerful
effect." Such was the language of Mr. FREDERICK
PEEL He even
expressed openly his satisfaction
the
!
"with the spirited speech of Mr. Fox, the
that
he Maal.
regret ber for Oldham," and hinted some
restraints of office prevented him also from
speaking out more plainly !
Can all this, from such a quarter, arisedssiforio:
any less causes than the probability of a

tion, or from the conviction that Russia must
either be frightened into terms, which weconfess,
though insufficient enough, must vet be very
galling to her ; or that if she will not yield now,
the next campaign must be such a one as will
effectually bring Russia to her knee ? It really
seems to us that the Cabinet must have obtained
licence to make peace on the proposed terms, or to
cripple Russia next year—thence the Palmer-
stonian organ is utrenuous in asserting that not a
gun-boat the less will be launched on account of
Prince ESTERHAZY'S mission ; that no juggling
like that practised by Vienna and Russia last
spring will be tolerated ; and that for Russia and
all Russianisers it is now or never. We are, we
confess, somewhat apprehensive that Russia may
show the better part of her valour. The valuable
announced result of the CANROBERT mission to
Sweden, and the probable unannounced results, to-
gether with the ascendancy of English over Coburg •

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