The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-07 00:00:00

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answer, which cannot be received in a satisfactory
form, at least if we are to allow any weight to the
-,previous declarations of Russia. There is, how-
ever, reason to fear that Austria will be, or rather

has been, allowed to put forward such a proposi-
tion- and that some time has been allowed for an
illiawer/before Austria will be called upon to take

,
:

LONDON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1854.

The Triple Alliance constitutes the great ques-
tion of the day. As usual in such cases there
are innumerable versions of the terms of the agree-
ment, each person forming his opinion in accord-
ance with the views he had previously entertained,
rather than of facts, or even probabilities. Some
matters of a very alarming nature have been put
forward, and on very fair authority. They have,
however, been contradicted by the ABERDEEN
organ ex cathedra, and so positively as to induce
the opinion that the inspiration has some more
certain foundation than mere guess-work or calcu-
lation. The Treaty, however, has not as yet been
ratified. It remains open until the 15th instant
for that purpose. An opportunity will thus be
afforded of feeling the Legislative pulse, and ascer-
taining the views and wishes of the representa-
tives of the people of the United Kingdom on each
and every portion of the details before the national
faith is committed to the contract. It is right,
then, that those who will, in the first instance,
have to decide on these all-important matters
should hear the expression of public opinion
clearly and unequivocally put forward, so that
they should have no opportunity of pleading sur-
prise or misconception.
Now the terms of the Treaty already put for-
ward in Vienna, and which have been controverted
by the ABERDEEN organ—it is not necessary to
allude to those respecting which there has been
no difference—are

Ist. As to the proposals to be made to Russia
either by the "Triple Alliance" or the non-belli-
gerent member thereof—Austria; and the time to
be allowed for an answer before the latter Power
is to shake off its apathy, and assume even the
appearance of activity.

2d. Whether there is any guarantee, directly
or indirectly, respecting the Austrian territories ?

3dly. Whether Austria is to send troops to
any place out of the Principalities, which sho has
been suffered to occupy ?

4thly. Whether there is any secret article by
which England is to be bound, although its pro-
visions are to be withheld from the knowledge of
the English Parliament ?
_ _ _

And sthly. Whether England and France are
to be limited within the "Four Points," or are to
be at liberty to put forward other demands for
" material guarantees," to insure the permanency
of any arrangements that may be entered into
• between the belligerents ?
There are other points of controversy ; but as
these are of vital importance we shall refer thereto
in the Ent
then, we instance. On the first point,
cannot believe that any representative
or accredited agent of England or France would
dare to sign, or even to listen to, any terms
authorising proposals for peace on the part
of the Western powers.
The Times positively
denies that they have done so, and We are disposed
to credit its assertion, for We do
not believe that
nay English Minister or diplomatist,
not even
Lord ABERDEEN himself, would dare
,to place his
country in so humiliating a position ; and even
were they disposed to do so, We are Convinced
that our brave and resolute Allies would not even
listen to such a proposition. It is even difficult
to conceive that they could sanction such proposals
by, or on the part of, Austria, and allow time for an