The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-22 00:00:00

PRUSSIAN OBDURACY.

At this point in the course of events it must in fair
ness be remarked that the diplomatic proceedings of the
British Government have been crowned with entire suc-
cess, except in one instance. Less than a year laas
elapsed since Austria stood in close alliance and per-
sonal intimacy with Russia at (Mintz, her army re-
duced, her finances embarrassed, and her position in
Europe undefined. To restore the ancient alliance of
the Court of Vienna with those of England and of
France was a work of no common difficulty, for
that alliance had been shaken and impaired by a
multitude of untoward events, and by a policy
to which we might apply a harsher name. Never-
theless, the co-operation of Austria was the most ho-
portant condition of success, and that co-operation has
mainly been obtained by the patience, the forbearance,
and the uniform good faith and goodwill shown to her
by the Western Powers. The .41oniteur of Sunday an-
nounces that on the 18th the first Austrian corps ha
been ordered by telegraph to enter Wallachia by the
Rothenthurrn Pass ; and on the preceding day Austria,
had communicated to the Germanic Confederation the
' bases of peace for which she is orepared to contend, in
conjunction with the Western Powers. The establish-
ment of this powerful alliance aeainst Russia, with such
elements to deal with as the French Government on
the on.) hand, and the Austrian Government on the other,
is certainly one of the greatest achievements of the di-
plomacy of this country, and the Foreign Minister who
has conducted this negotiation deserved the highest
praise ; at the same time, he has been most ably sup-
ported by M. Drouyn de Lhuys and by Count Buol ;
and the joint efforts of these Ministers have brought
about a vast and salutary change in the public relations
of Europe.
But, if the expectations we have so long entertained
and defended as to the ultimate policy of Austria are
thus confirmed, 1-o also are the suspicions with which
we habitually regard the conduct of the King of Prus-
sia and the Cabinet of Berlin. We learn from
Lord Clarendon's despatch that it was Prussia who
declined to attend the Conference which Count
Buol proposed to summon for the purpose of com-
municating the answer of Russia to the last Austrian
demands. In consequence of this refuusal, which was
in fact, a withdrawal from the Conference, the further
communications of the Three Powers were carried on in
a confidential manner between London, Vienna, and
Paris; and Prussia, as we stated at the time, dropped
out of the position she had filled in the councils of Eu-
rope. When we say that the diplomacy of this country
and its allies has been successful, except in one instance,
we mean that it has failed to rouse in the he,rt of the
King of Prussia one spark of honour or independence,
and that the Prussian nation, which does not share the
infatuated devotion of that Sovereign to Russian idols,
has as yet given no sign of its ability or determination
to shake off Russian thraldom. The appropriate
penalty for this pusillanimous abandonment of
the interests of Germany and of Europe will
be found in the increased ascendancy which
the Emperor of Austria had already acquired,
and will probably retain, every part of Ger-
many where the intelligence and national feelings of
that people are unsubdued. Should Prussia be induced
to go still further, and to lend herself more openly to
the designs of Russia, she will find that she has lost her
honour without obtaining security, and, indeed, the pre-
parations she is making for the defence of the Baltic
coast indicate the apprehensions already excited by the
presence of the allied fleets within a few hours' sail of
Stettin and Dantsic. At present, however, it is enough
that she be passed over in silence ; that these important
engagements have been contracted without her ; that,
as the matter now stands, the Eastern question may be
settled without her ; and that she is deprived of the
power to betray the cause which she has refused to
serve.—Times.

Lieutenant Perry, whose trial before the Court-martial
at Windsor is still pending, is a native of this town
(Ronisey). His father rose from the ranks, and was
made a paymaster. Perry had his commission given to
him on account of his long services of his father. He
was always considered a very worthy young fellow.—
Salisbury and Winchester Journal.
THE,ROMAN CATHOLICS AND TB CHOLERA.—In con-
sequence of the spread of the clio:era, Cardinal Wiseman
has granted permission to his flock to eat flesh meat on
Fridays and other days of abstinence and fast.