The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-05 00:00:00

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las they are, we have poi ...**63 -mom,:
1 three the right of Russian intert*fico, -extiio
the way of friendly communication,lkirej- i . .• '''• 4
idea of a protectorate is religiously ex , .:, ylB
treaty of Adrianople is denied to have ..• h. A. er
effect on this subject than a confirmation of the
ancient one of 1774 ; and, finally, words are rejected
which would place themembers of the Greek Church
in the Ottoman empire in any other position than
of Ottoman subjects indebted for their religious
liberties to the tolerance of their own Sovereign.
The note, as altered, is in effect a denial of all
the pretensions, the assertion of which, by Russia,
originally created the quarrel. We will not say
that Russia will not accept this modified note, be-
cause it is very possible that Russia, by this time,
has found that the conquest of Turkey is not a
matter of course. It has been more than hinted
that the " Autocrat of all the Russias" would be
very glad to find himself with any honourable pre-
text on the north bank of the Pruth.
It may be then that Russia will accept the al-
tered note. If she does, she will do so at the cost
of receding from her insolent pretensions. It is
not easy, perhaps, to calculate on the movements
of the Czar ; bnt we confess we shall be surprised
to find that, upon the signing of the altered note,
he will consent to withdraw his troops from the
Principalities.

But-we suspect that the acceding to these altera-
tions—a matter not so light in itself as has been
alleged—is not the only subject that is still to be
adjusted. We have still the strongest reason to
believe that the Porte will not consent even to the
altered note, unless upon an express stipulation of
the evacuation of the Principalities, and a guaran-
tee against their further invasion as an act of
peaceful interference. On Tuesday last, we stated
our reasons—so far as we could do so—for believ-
ing that the announcement made in a moment of
indiscreet candour by the Times, the day before,
was correct. We can only now say, that nothing
has occurred to alter the belief which we then en-
tertained. . _ _

We believe, in fact, the position of the question
to be this :—The Porte has agreed to the proposed
note, with the important, indeed the vital altera-
tions on which we have commented, and with a
further stipulation that the note is not to be signed
until the Principalities are actually evacuated, or a
pledge given that they shall be instantly so, and,
further, with a pledge from the four powers that
a new treaty shall be entered into to secure and
protect in future the integrity of the Turkish em-
pire against invasion.
We further believe that the four powers are now,
not by formal application, but by indirect negocia-
tions, endeavouring to ascertain the disposition of
Russia upon these points. To prevent any wound
to the Emperor's pride they make light of the alter-
ations suggested, while they carefully conceal the
extent and the independence of the Ottoman's de-
mands. If Russia retreats, they wish to cover its
disgrace, nor are we disposed to quarrel with the
means which teaches always to build the bridge for
the flying enemy.
If Russia does retreat—then all is well. But if
not—then comes the question between British
honour and the interest of continentala alhliafntee!,
which has brought Lord .14313
which is to prevail. It is the near
his
question approach of
on
a hurried summons to Lord Palmerston's side. If
that question does arise—and arise it will, unless.
Russia yield—we do not believe that either of these
noble lords will be parties to a desertion of the ally
we have led on, and a truckling to the power we
have resisted—a policy which would be a surrender
of the true interests of the Sovereign they serve,
and a betrayal of the people who have confided in
them.

Enough for to-day—more than enough, we sus-
pect—to show that the Turkish question is not yet
definitively settled.

• (From the Press.)
The Vienna note is now before the public, and
there is no longer any doubt of its phraseology or
purport.

- This note, upon which its authors so confidingly
relied for the settlement of all differences between
Russia and the Porte, in its form, at least, involved
these absurdities.

It gave Russia credit for an active solicitude for
the maintenance of the immunities and privileges
of the Greek Church in the Ottoman Empire ' and.,
pro Canto, it recognised the right of Russia to in-
terpose between the Porte and its subjects
It further required the Sultan to declare that he
regarded it " as a point of honour to allow
the Greek worship to participate, in a spirit of high
justice, in the advantages conceded to other Chris-
tians by convention or special agreement." The
advantages, that is to say, that were conceded as
a matter of course to foreign merchants and fo-
reign tourists, to foreign ambassadors and their
foreign suites, were thus extended by the terms of
the note to two-thirds of the natural-born subjects
of the Sultan. The solicitude of the Czar being
recognised in a preliminary sense as devoted right-
fully to this proportion of the Ottomans, the ex-
tent to which this solicitude which might be in-
dulged hereafter was thus generously but gravely
discriminated. On such terms Ministers could
ongratulate the house that the differences be-
tween Russia and Turkey were arranged, and
that the evacuation of the provinces might be fully
relied on (no improbable interference we are bound
to say), as a result of this considerate intervention.
This note was exhibited intermediately to
Russia, and her assent to it procured. With this
cheering information the Ministry were happy to
dismiss the House of Commons, and to congratu-
late themselves on the rise of public securities.
But the common sense of the Divan made
utter havoc of this fool's paradise before it
could present us with a single partridge. With
the addition of two or three verbal modifications of
minor consequence, the Porte has insisted on the
expurgation of every word which is susceptible of
a construction favourable to the claim of Russia to
intermeddle between itself and its subjects.
Its just requirements on this head are contained
in the first and fifth modifications proposed by the
Divan, and communicated to the Four Powers as
the conditions of its acquiescence. So far we may
perfectly rely on our intelligence, but beyond this
stage we are lost in contradictions and the shifts of
an incompetence apparently self-conscious,but dog-
gedly endeavouring to hide its perplexities.
At one moment we are told that the modifica-
tions of the Porte-are of no substantial importance.
At the same instant their possible rejection by Rus-
sia, unimportant as they are said to be, is so far
contemplated that the Porte is threatened with a
perilous responsibility. A day or two later their
importance is admitted, and then the imputations
against Turkey are softened. To the extent to
which the Ministerial censure is thus mitigated it
is not perceived that the praises of their recent
performance must abate. "So much that was sub-
stantially important to Turkey was left unprovided
for"—so the contradictions of the present reflect
their light on the incapacity displayed in the past.
If we look for intimations as to the course which
England is to pursue in the contingency which has
arisen, here again we meet with evidences of an
indecision which is incredible. Peace, of course,
is to be maintained at any price. But, at one mo-
ment, it is pursued by directly commending the
unqualified submission of the Porte to Russia - at
another, by the` adoption of the modifications Pro-
posed, and their urgent commendation by the four
Great Powers. While the leading organ of the
Ministry announces that the latter have given in to their Ministers at St. Petersburg to
afford the strongest support to these modifications
in their communications with the Russian Go-
vernment, the organ of a section of the Ministry
simultaneously comments on their averred with-
drawal ; and public criticism on our infirm atti-
tude is thus precluded in the conflict of authorities,
and representations, and proposals.
One thing alone is clear—that amid this confu-
sion the question of peace or war is more than
ever at the mercy of accidents. It is admitted
that the popular feeling in Turkey would not have
permitted the advisers of the Sultan to
for one condition less stringently precise i.and
stipulate
there is a growing indignation even
who appear to espouse her interests to propitiate
preju-
dice against tnose
her foes, and interpose their protection
to her
her defence. The recent additions_chiefthe ardour
fleet, the ambition of her military
people, may
of her soldiery, or the passions of herthe diplomatic
either of them prompt escape from
Should this be the
uences are immeasurable.
tangle by a sudden outburst or.which the co -
issue of Lord Aberdeen's gestation, here, forif in-
stance, is one of the contingencies impending, we
may credit the Angsintry
Gazette
" When the Times asserts that Austria has taken the
lead against Russia, it either deceives itself or attempts
from
to deceive its readers.
tAutstifriath is so farrad
000mmbeetio ngin
opposition to Russia, that
the
imepnaratilalapcopuenalsetols
hworstad notif proverh
was, and that place
ehdosnuetiwenetnirno well-meant,
prevent ndenata ger
• arms, no doubt would have arisen asl to where her place
would certainy not have been at
the side of England."
Granting that the opportunity may not arise, it
will be a small consolation to think how fortui-
tously it was averted, or that a forced Coalition
was approaching its term, while a palsied hand was
• fumbling with the reins of empire.

Mr. Shaw, who was well known in the agricultural
districts as editor of the Mark-lane Express, and manag-
ing director of the Farmers' Insurance Society, died re-
cently in Australia. He emigrated somewhat suddenly,
and after passing through extreme adversity. in 15.„61*
bourne, he went to the diggings, where he became 114
and died in great poverty.