The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-09 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OP THE SUN.

Sir,—As you have on all occasions, which in your
judgment you have deemed favourable and fitting, de-
( monstrated your anxiety to promote the interests of the
public service, through the agency of your valuable
periodical, I beg to avail myself of its medium to ask
the authorities of the Admiralty, and of our Devonport
dock-yard, one or two questions, not a 'together indiffer-
ent or unimportant in the present peculiar exigencies of
the country.
How came it that when the Exmouth line-of-battle
ship, ordered alongside our dock-yard to he rigged and
got with all despatch ready for sea, the rigging appro•
printed for her turned out to have bean to some serious
extent a misfit, and a considerable pa rt was returned to
the rigging-store ; whilst, to meet this defect, several
sets had to he overhauled, :laid a part taken from ono set
and a part from another, thus consuming a large portion
of valuable time and labour:, which might have been
(Akin-wise advantageously applied ? Mark, too, the
waste of material caused by this cutting- and botching,
as though the public purse were a never-ending, inex-
haustible fund, to be frittered or foole,laway at pleasure.
I would ask at whose doer lies the blame of this dis-
creditable occurrence ? Is it the result of mismanage-
ment merely, or consequent on the entire absence of all
management in the department where it originated ?
It does not, however, appear to have been a mere
accident that might occur once and not again. It does
not stand isolated and alone, a solitary and conspicuous
beacon to warn and to teach in the future, for, if we are
rightly informed, it is far from an uncommon circum-
stance at our Devonport dock-yard, where these in-
stances of misfit are all but numerically equal to the
ships ordered here to be rigged.
However frequently or es.sily such cases might pass
unnoticed, or deemed of tri-vial importance in a time of
peace, they assume another aspect in a time of war—
when, in the fitting out of a skip destined to play some
master-part in the momentous drama now playing before
Europe and the world, the delay even of a day might
mar a victory or insure a defeat.
A VOICE FROM THE COCKPIT.
Devonport, Dec. 7, 1854.

IMPORTATION OF WINCE.NE AND SPIRITS
TO FRA

The Moniteur supplies the follosi ing particulars re-
specting the extent and source of tb.e importations into
France of wines, spirits, and liqueurs., during the month
of October last. The duties; on spirits and liqueurs,
it is to be noticed, were reduced by the decrees of
Sept. 22 and Oct. 5 last. The following, according to
the authority quoted, were the importations ; the figures
represent hectolitres .
Table or Ordi-
nary ines. L iqueurs. Spirits.

From the German.

Zollverein
Netherlands
Belgium
Hanseatic Towns
England
Spain
Sardinian States
Switzerland

3,823

280
656
1,641
-. 247
253 79 ... 3,567
30.559 142 ... 242
- - ... 438
:260 ..• -
... 282
- ... 798
- 2,758

Spanish possessions
in America.....,
Guadaloupe ......

Martinique,.,.

_ .
Other producing
countries

31 12

23

C 4

Total 35,262 ... 424 10,971

ITHE CZAR AND THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

(From the Pays.)

We have no hope that Russia will yield to simple
diplomatic ultimatums, however energetic they may be
supposed to be. Notwithstanding the pacific rumours
which are in circulation in Germany, and the sincere and
ardent desire which we have for seeing peace re-established
among modern states, we neither believe in the modera-
tion nor in the submission of the Czar. Let the note
which M. de Nesselrode has just addressed in his name
to the Court of Berlin be read attentively, and there will
be still seen in it the same haughty and irreconcilable
spirit ; still the same pretensions. If the Emperor
makes some concessions, which arc much more ap-
parent than real, it is in some measure out of compassion
for Germany ; it is in a tone of humiliating pity which
we are convinced will be deeply felt beyond the
Rhine. Can any serious man, can any statesman attach
importance to these pretended concessions, which still
maintain all the treaties between Russia and the Otto-
man empire, and to seek to stifle still more surely the
independence of the Sultan under the common protec-
torate of Europe, and consider them as the possible
basis of fresh negotiations Certainly not. The Em-
peror Nicholas will not yield ! It is only, as we have
often said, the disasters of his empire, and the coalesced
arms of the whole of Europe that will compel him.
Austria labours under no illusion on this point, and,
unfortunately, it is not with any hope of success that
she will address a last injunction to the Court of
Russia. God, who inspires the kings of the earth,
may doubtless suddenly change the feelings of the
Czar, in the same manner as reasons of State ought
to counsel him, no longer to brave the justice of Europe
in arms it defence of its independence and stability ;
but who can flatter himself with the hope of this pacific
solution I In signing the treaty of the 2d December
the high contracting powers have certainly had in view
the re-establishment of peace; they think, and with
reason, that they will more promptly and surely obtain
it when Russia shall be more isolated, and when the
forces united against her shall be more numerous and
more formidable, but it would be a deceitful illusion to
imagine that this treaty is about to reopen negotiations.
There is in fact no longer any need of negotiations with
Russia. No dilitory subterfuge on the part of the Court of
Saint-Petersburg will be admitted; no commentary similar
to that which caused the failure of the famous note of
Vienna will be submitted to. The Czar knows the essen-
tial conditions on which peace is still possible for
him. Every day that passes modifies the state of
the question, and consequently the exigencies of the bel-
ligent powers. Austria herself is well aware that what
may be acceptable to-day will not be so to-morrow. In
allying herself to the Western Powers, she implicitly en-
gages to adhere to all the natural and legitimate conse-
quences which the prolongation of the state of war may
give rise to, with a view to the re-establishment of peace.
Russia has therefore no longer to negotiate ; she will not
obtain peace, unless she accepts immediately, without
reserve, and more particularly without comment, the
conditions whiCh the interest of Europe impose on her.
It is because we have no hope in this sudden return to
reason and this immediate submission to necessity ; it is
because the statesmen of Austria cannot entertain any
illusion on this subject, that the treaty of the 2d Dec.
appears to us to be a decisive step in the path of a cone•
mon action of the three Powerl to restrain by coercive
means the resistance of Russia.

THE CONTINENTAL PRESS AND THE
NEW TREATY.
The Prussian Correspondence of Berlin, of the
sth, says :

" It is said that the treaty of alliance of Austria with
the Western Powers will be followed by a summons from
that Government to the Court of St. Petersburg, which
will contain the four points set forth in a precise form,
arid the unreserved acceptance of which will be de-
manded. The Austrian Cabinet is in a position to have
peace concluded if Russia accept the propositions which
will be made to her, but it engages, in the event of the
refusal of Russia, to break off all dielmnatic negotiations
and to support actively the Western Powers. Hopes
appear to be entertained at Vienna that this last attempt
at conciliation will be more successful than the previous
ones."

A letter from Berlin, sth, in the Independance
of Brussels, on the same subject, says :
"Before signing the treaty of alliance with France
and England the Austrian Government thought proper
to communicate it to the Prussian Cabinet. From in-
formation which I believe to be well founded, the treaty
calls to mind, in the first place, the declarations and
*engagements of the principal acts of the Conference of
Vienna, and the notes exchanged en the Eth August
between the contracting parties. It also brings forward
the- four guarantees considered as the indispensable basis
of a good peace, admitting to each power the faculty of
developing them by additional conditions. Austria
renews with France and England the engagement
which she made with Turkey by the treaty of June
11 to occupy the Principalities and to repulse the Rus-
sians by torce if they should attempt to re-enter them.
She proclaims the right of Turkey and the Allied Powers
to move their troops in Moldavia as they may think
proper, either against the armies or the territory of
Russia. If Austria should find herself in a state of war
with Russia either in consequence of a return of the
Russians into the principalities or on any other point,
the offensive and defensive alliance will be established
do facto between her and France and England. If before
the end of the present year Russia shall not have made
acceptable propositions for peace, and if a good and
durable peace be not secured, the three contracting par-
ties will take common counsel as to the means necessary
to obtain it. The high contracting parties engage that
no propositions of peacemade by Russia shall be accepted
by either of them until they shall have been deliberated
ou in common. It is generallythought here that Prussia,
under the pressure of public opinion and the force of
circumstances, cannot avoid adhering to the treaty of
the three powers."
The official publication of the conclusion of the triple
alliance gives occasion for a leading article in the Ost
Deutsche Post respecting Austria's policy. The following
is a summary of this article : —" Austria has again
taken upon herself her office of guardian of the rights
and independence of Europe. She is the rock upon
which the Russo-Byzantine lust of conquest breaks,
as once the Osman-Byzantine invasion broke. And,
in taking this stop Austria has imposed great sacri-
fices upon herself ; but she has taken it after the
most mature- deliberation and consideration of her
duty to Europe, to Germany, and to herself. Her
course has been slow, but sure, and she has pursued
it undeterred by menaces, and unchecked by intrigues.
She has given herself time to- prepare for the deci-
sive step, and not a moment of this interval has
been lost in idleness. The army has been put en a war
footing, well equipped, and established at points of
strategical importance. Notwithstanding difficulties
caused by the state of the finances, means have been
found to collect the stores of provisions and munitions
necessary for the successful carrying, on of a war.
Besides having her own cares to provide for, Austria
has still another care. Austiia is a part of Germany,
and Germany is also a part of Austria. The profound
solidarity of both is better understood and comprehended
at Vienna than—alas I that it should be said—by any
other Cabinet of Germany. The treaty of alliance which
was signed on the 2d might have been concluded long
since, and the numerous summonses, invitations, offers,
&c., dispensed with. But Austria could not leave Germany
excluded from that treaty, and exposed to demands for
indemnity being made on her ; for " Austria takes no
less interest in the German Rhine than Prussia, and if
the matter is treated lightly at Berlin, the more carefully
must it be treated at Vienna." Austria opened the way
for Prussia and the Bund to take part in the treaty of
alliance, by inducing them to adopt the minimum of the
European demands. " She conducted the preliminary
labours with the Band as a German Power, while eight
days later she could have appealed as a European Power
in alliance with two other great Powers:" If Austria
had selfish objects in view, the would certainly have
taken a contrary course. She would have first con-
cluded the treaty with the Western Powers, and then
negotiated with Prussia and the Band as the proxy
of her allies. How much easier this course would
have been ! But the Austrian Cabinet has not allowed
itself to deviate from the path pointed out by the position
of Austria as a Power of Germany. It has ignored
suspicions, forgotten injuries, conquered numerous dif-
ficulties, until by patience and endurance it has suc-
ceeded in its object ; and then, this Sisyphus-like
labour completed, Austria has entered into au alliance
with the other great Powers.
The Lloyd has the following short leading article upon
the same subject :
"The great event of the time is before the eyes of the
world. The alliance of France with England, and then of
France with Austria, indicate a turning-point in the
European policy. Russia, who for more than a century
has been increasing her own greatness on the foundation
of the disunion of her neighbours—who baited Sweden,
Turkey, and Poland against each other until two of
these countries lost the half of their possessions, and no-
thing remained of the third—Russia sees herself at once
face to face with united Europe. The jealousy between
England and France, France and Austria, Austria and
Prussia, was to be the principal factor of a future uni-
versal Russian monarchy. That jealousy exists no more.
The foresight of Europe recognised the danger, and
seized the only sufficient shield—union. More than a
battle was won on the 2d of December—the certainty ov
of
an honourable and secure peace. A traditional policy,
glittering with false brilliancy, a policy
was o
Russia's advantage alone, bas received a blow which
it cannot recover ; and a mass of prejudices w age
d.,Whatever
could nottanctify has fallen to the gro
uat a peace,
course may now be taken in order t
of this we are certain, that the peoplesu arrive
of the West and
the peoples of central Europe will pursue it with courage
and enthusiasm."
respondence, of
,Lejolivet (Paris),
The Lithographic Col.
contains. the following :
"One of our correspondents in Germany, whom we
know to be well-informed, sends us the following infor-
.mation respecting the treaty signed by Austria,
France, and England on the 2d inst. By the terms
of that treaty the three contracting parties form an
alliance to impose on the Russian Government the
acceptance of the four points interpreted as fol-
lows :—lf Russia does not accept the four points by
January 2, 1855, Austria will recal her ambassador from
at. Petersburg, and will deliver his passports to Prince
Gortschakoff, the Russian ambassador at the Court of
Vienna. If Russia has not ceded by the 2d of March
next, Austria will declare war on her, will enter with
large forces into Bessarabia, and will send 20,000 men to
the Crimea. The three contracting Powers interpret the
four points in the following.manner :—The liberty.of the
Black Sea will be recognised and maintained by a perma-
nent cruise of six vessels of war belonging to each of the
great Powers. In addition a seaport will be opposed to Se-

bastopol, and will be established at eitherßatoum or Sinope
The liberty of the mouths of the Danube will be guaran-
teed by the absence of 'every Russian fortification on the
banks of the river, and the fortifications of isniaii will
be raised. The independence of the Porte is to be placed
Under the collective protectorate of the five great Powers,
and each of them will protect especially its co-religion-
ist ; only, with respect to Greek subjects of the .Porte,
they are to be, both in' he Turkish provinces and in the
principalities, placed under the collective protectorate of
the five Powers. The same arrangements will be
adopted with respect to the principalities. In fine, the
Western Powers guarantee to Austria her present pos-
sessionß. On her side, Austria promises her efforts to
obtain the adhesion of Prussia and of the other German
States to the present treaty."