The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-29 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JUN :E 29, 1854.

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

A telegraphic despatch from our Vienna Corre-
spondent, dated last Tuesday, informs us that the
Russian answer to the Austrian demand had not
yet been received ; and in the meanwhile the con-
jectures as to its probable purport are various.
The most embarrassing course which the Emperor
Nicholas could adopt would be an ostentatious dis-
play of deference to the wishes of a friend and ally.
The opportunity of seizing a plausible excuse for
the evacuation of the Principalities might be re-
garded at St. Petersburg as no less desirable than
the prolongation of the neutrality of the German
Powers ; and there are hack-writers enough in
Europe who would not scruple to falsify history by
passing over as insignificant the baffled attack on
Silistria, for the purpose of attributing the retreat
of the invader to mere considerations of policy. It
has been pompously stated in official language that
some time since, Russia, Austria, and Prussia con-
cluded an agreement with a view to the termina-
tion of the war, and it would not be difficult to
represent the recrossing of the Pruth as the mere
fulfilment of a secret undertaking. The advance
of an Austrian army into Wallachia, as if to pre-
vent the allies from pursuing their successes,
would give a colour to this explanation of events
the real cause of which must be patent to all the

world.
The apparent probability of such a course on the
part of Russia has led to a premature statement
that it had already been adopted. It is dangerous
however, to reason from the interests of Sovereigns
to the conduct which they may pursue in any given
emergency. While English politicians are express-
ing anxiety as to the consequences of Russian con -
cession, there seems to be little expectation at
Vienna that a favourable answer will be returned
to the summons for the evacuation of the Princi-
palities. Warlike preparations are, to all appear-
ance, continued with unabated energy. A com-
mander-in-chief is appointed to the army, and it is
even stated that Count Coronini, who commands
at Semlin, is about to proceed to Schumla for the
purpose of making arrangements with Omer Pacha.
It is unnecessary to observe that a military move-
ment undertaken in concert with one belligerent is
necessarily an act of war against the other. An
Austrian march to Giurgevo, previously approved
by the Turkish general, would be as much a com-
mencement of hostilities as an attack on the Rus-

sian outposts.
The Governments of England and France are
apparently satisfied with the attitude of Austria ;
and it must be presumed that they have strong
grounds for the confidence which they display.
Lord Aberdeen declared on Monday night that he
had
.pressed the advance of the allied army, both
for the purpose of supporting Omer Pacha and of
" holding out a hand to Austria." The forces
which line the Transylvanian frontier were as-
sumed by the Premier to be no less friendly
than the troops of the Sovereign whose domi-
nions we have undertaken to protect ; and it is
at least as reasonable to suppose that statesmen
have reasons for their acts as to believe in the per-
petual predominance of mean, and yet irresistible
cunning. All the theories of anti-Austrian politicians
are founded on the questionable hypothesis that
the sympathies between Vienna and St. Petersburo,
correspond to their reciprocal professions of friend-
ship ; but the revelations of the past year ought to
have satisfied the most superficial political student
that, when diplomatic language conveys any mean-
ing whatever, it may generally be interpreted by
contraries. The ambiguity of Austrian professions
has led alarmists into the hasty belief that the
Western Powers must necessarily be the dupes of
insincere promises. Those, however, who attend
to facts and motives rather than to empty words,
may well believe that the ultimate decision of the
Imperial Government will be dictated by its un-
doubted interests. It is not by-deceiving England
and France that intrigues in Sclavonia can be 're-
pressed, or the Lower Danube opened to the com-
merce of Germany.
It has been assumed, though without sufficient
consideration, that the movement of Count Coro-
nini's troops along the left bank of the Danube will
interfere with the pursuit of the retreating Rus-
sians. There is, indeed, reason to fear that the
Allies may he too weak in cavalry to attempt at
present any active operations in the Wallachian
plains ; and the enemy's force, notwithstanding its
losses by disease and by the sword, is still numerous
and effective, whilst, as it retires on the Moldavian
frontier, it becomes every day more concentrated.
The army in Transylvania might at once convert
the retreat into a rout ; but the Turks and their
auxiliaries may probably not be able to cross the
Danube in force. It may be doubted, however,
whether the Austrian troops on the Wallachian
frontier can, for the present, offer any impediment
to an active pursuit. Omer Paella's left wing will
be disengaged by the approach even of an am-
biguous auxiliary ; and if he is strong enough to
follow the retreating enemy, he need feel no anxiety
as to his flanks or his communications.
The Anglo-French forces at Varna and Adri-
anople are now disposable for service in some other
direction. It may be assumed that they will either
undertake the reduction of the fortresses on the
Lower Danube, or that they will at once be em-
barked for a more distant and important expedition.
The desire of the Allies that Austria should occupy
a part of Wallachia appears to imply an intention
of operating against Galatz, Reni, and Brailow ; for
it may have been thought prudent to protect the
advancing troops, not only by a fleet on the coast,
but by a friendly force on the left bank of the river.
Whatever may be the general policy of the Court
of Vienna, there can be no doubt that all Austrian
statesmen would view with complacency the expul-
sion of the enemy from the region which he has
long endeavoured to render impervious to com-
merce.
The German partisans of Russia are already boast-
ing of the aid which, according to their anticipa-
tions, will be rendered to their cause by the Kino.
of Prussia. The treaty w' ith'Austria has, it is said,'
become practically void by the retreat of the in-
vading army ; so that the Court of Berlin is now
free to express the sympathies which, even at an
earlier period of the dispute, were scarcely dis-
guised. This expectation is founded, however, on
a false assumption. The sentiments of the King of
Prussia incline to both sides in turn, but the rea-
sons which induced him to sign a treaty with Austria
are still as valid as they were when the recent con-
vention was made. The petty States have given
in their unqualified adhesion to the arrangement, in
the not unnatural belief that the case of war con-
templated by the contracting parties is in the last
degree improbable • yet both the German Powers
had grounds for the course which they adopted,
and the same motives will induce them to perse-
vere in a similar policy. Prussia may lean to the
enemy as the champion of absolutism and of so-
called orthodoxy ' • but she would inevitably resent
any attack on the territory of Austria. The re-
sources of dissimulation and trickery are, after all,
not inexhaustible. It is satisfactory to know that
England and France are not bound by the com-
plicated negotiations of Germany ; and the Wes-
tern Powers will be content to contribute to a
diplomatic solution of the quarrel by proving that,
for once, force is not on the side of the wrong-doer.
Morning Chronicle.

DUPLICITY OF AUSTRI

There is no one point on which we have dwelt
more earnestly, or to which we have recurred more
frequently, since the Eastern question became the
engrossing subject of attention, than the duplicity'
of Austria. We have not ceased to warn the
Western Powers against reposing any confidence
whatever in her protestations of friendship. We
have assured them that if they did, they would
only be deceived at last.
It would seem as if all the warnings we have
thus given were in vain. France and England
have, we are told, consented to the occupation of
the anubian Principalities on the part of Austria,
and also prevailed on Turkey to give her
assent. We cannot, by any exercise of our
faculties, conceive what could be the nature
of the considerations which have weighed
with the 'Western Powers in becoming parties
to this occupation. Nothing could, to our minds,
be clearer than the fact, that they are the dupes of
the cunning and treacherous Court of Vienna. We
said before, and repeat it now, that Austria and
Russia have from first to last had a perfect under-
standing together, in reference to this Eastern
question ; and that the proposal to take possession
of the Principalities by an Austrian army has been
made with the concurrence, if not at the sugges-
tion, of the Czar. We believe it will be found,
in the end, that there is a distinct secret engage-
ment on the part of Austria to retain possession
of Moldavia and Wallachia for Russia, and that
the Principalities will be given up to the Czar
whenever he thinks proper to make a request for
that purpose.
It is reported in Paris,—and -what is more, is
believed in well-informed quarters—that the West-
ern Powers have even so far forgotten what is due
to themselves, to Turkey, andto gurope, as tohave

actually omitted to reserve for their own troops.
the right of entering the PrinCipalities; We can
scarcely credit this. Still more incredible is the
statement that Austria has determined not to per-
mit the armies of France and England to set foot
in Moldavia and Wallachia, even as an act of
courtesy, should such a step be deemed necessary
by them. On this point the well-informed Paris
correspondent of the Morning • Chronicle has some
observations, which we deem it desirable to trans-
fer to our columns, " The question," he says,
" which • every one asks, is, why Austria is to
take possession of the Principalities ? Avowedly
she says it is because she considers the attack
of Russia an unjust one, and because she sym-
pathises with the Western Powers in their op-
position to the views of that Power, and their
defence of a weak ally. But there aregreat doubts
as to whether she is quite in earnest in the cause
adopted by the Western Powers. At the same time
that she professes her approbation of the conduct
of the allies, and has put her armies in motion to
assert their cause, she assumes to herself the posi-
tion of an arbitrator in the case, and seems dis-
posed, not only to prevent the unprincipled invader
from attaining his ends, but to prevent those who
have been unwillingly forced into war to get the
satisfaction to which they are entitled, and, more-
over, to obtain securities against future aggression.
In short, Austria appears as much disposed to stand
by Russia against the just Vengeance of the allied
powers as she is to stand by the allied_powers in
their opposition to the usurpation of Russia. If we
are to believe public rumour, the Austrian Govern-
ment is determined, not_only to force Russia to
evacuate the Principalities, and to become herself
the occupant of those provinces, but she is also de-
termined to prevent the forces of the allied powers
from entering the Principalities during her occu-
pancy, for the purpose of following up their success.
It is almost unnecessary to point out how one-sided
such an attitude will be." _

On the consequences of the determination of
Austria not to allow the allied forces to enter the
Principalities, the same authority very justly re-
marks :—" If Austria should, as is reported, de-
clare that the allied forces shall not advance into
the Principalities as long aS she occupies them,
what will be the result ? kussia, finding that there
is an impassable barrier between her territories and
the Turkish army on the side of the Principalities,
will feel herself at liberty to withdraw the whole of
the army which she has at this present moment on
that frontier, and to carry them to the Crimea, the
Caucasus, or any other poit which may be in
danger of attack. Should this occur, the pretended
aid given by Austria will become a positive act of
hostility to Turkey, and the occupation, so far
from being an act of friendship to the Allied
Powers, will be a veritable coup de Jarnac. In
that case, so far from the occupation of the Princi-
palities being an act of hostility against Russia, it
will be the greatest favour the one Emperor could
do to his neighbour, the other."
This is precisely what we have all along been
saying. The whole thing will, in the supposed
case, be found to be a collusion. Austria under-
stands perfectly well what she is about, and, come
what may, she feels that all will be well in the end.
She will persist till the end of the chapter in fooling
France and England to the top of their bent.
It is passing strange that no member of either
branch of the Legislature has before now put any
questions to Ministers as to the nature of the treaty
which they have made with Austria relative to this
business. We are all .in the dark with regard to
the circumstances under which this arrangement
has been made. The public want to be enlightened
on the subject, and they have a right to know for
what reasons, and under what circumstances, the
Western Powers have consented to the occupation
of the Principalities by Austria. That occupation
we regard as, in effect, just the same as if the Rus-
sians had continued in the possession of Moldavia
and Wallachia ' • for in Austria, the Sultan will
find, to his cost, as great an enemy as if Russia
had continued to retain those provinces.—Morning
Advertiser.

CELEBRATION OF THE UNION BETWEEN.
' ENGLAND AND FRANCE.

A general public meeting was held yesterday at the
Egyptian-hall, Mansion-house, to receive a report from
the committee of management on the proceedings pro-
'posed to be taken at a national festival in celebration of
the union between England and France, and to adopt
measures thereupon. The Lord Mayor took. the chair
at two o'clock, by which time a tolerably numerous as-
sembly had collected. Among the gentlemen present
were—Viscount Ebriugton, M.P., Mr. H. 0-. Langton,
M.P., Mr. Alderman and Sheriff Wire, Mr. B. Oliveira,
M.P., Mr. Alderman Rose, Mr. M. Uzielli, the Rev.
Dr. Vivian, the Rev. Robert Dean, Dr. Truman, Mr.
J. Coppoek, Mr. J. Anderton, Mr. E. Davis, Mr. W.
Tite, F.R.S., Mr. Alderman Moon, Mr. C. Leach,
M.P., Mr. S. C. Hall, F.S.A., Alderman Sir R. W.
Carden, Colonel Freestun' M.P., Mr. J. Masterman,
M.P., Lieutenant-Colonel Starr, Mr. W. Brown, M.P.,
Mr. J. J. Mechi, Mr. Deputy Obbard, Mr. F. Bennoch,
Mr. Deputy Bower, Mr. L. Blumberg, Mr. A. Berens,
Mr. J. Causton, the Rev. Dr. Biber, the High Bailiff
of Southwark, Mr. F. Lloyd, &c.
The Loan MAYOR, in opening the proceedings, stated
that, on the 7th of June last, a iminber of gentlemen
had met at the Mansion-house, at the invitation princi-
pally of Mr. J. Anderton, for the purpose of considering
whether it would be desirable to entertain some of the
distinguished citizens of. France in this country. This
suggestion originated in the circumstance of the French
nation having three years ago invited many-of the dis-
tinguished men of Great Britain, including members of
the aristocracy, men of science, gentlemen who had
been officially connected with the Great Exhibition, and
gentlemen belonging to the corporation of London, to a
series of banquets and entertainments in Paris ; and since
that time the hope-had been entertained that a fitting
opportunity might arise for them to give a return for the
splendid hospitalities which had been shown them, as
he believed that none who had partaken of those
hospitalities differed in opinion as to the good results
they had produced by creating a feeling of hearty
goodwill between the French and ourselves. (Hear,
hear.) At the meeting of the 7th of June the proposal
was generally received with marks of approbation, al-
though there did exist a doubt in the minds of one or
two gentlemen as to whether this was the most fitting
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and met with their concurrence. (Cheers.) This opinion
had been borne out by Lord Clarendon, who, so lately
as Monday last, had said that he knew the matter had
been made the subject of consideration by her Majesty's
advisers, who all concurred in the advisability of the
proposed step. A further meeting was then held at the
Mansion-house on the 14th of June, when a resolution
acquiescing in their object, which would presently be
laid before the present meeting, was carried unani-
mously. A committee was then formed, which had been
enabled, by sending copies round of that resolution, to
obtain the concurrence of something like 350 distin-
guished men, who had all expressed their anxiety to see
this national demonstration carried to a successful issue.
(Hear, hear..) They had now, therefore, thought it right
to convene a public meeting to explain- their views in
reference to this movement, and he would invite every
gentleman present to state explicitly whether he could
see any objection, either nationally, politically, or
morally, to the course they were about to pursue. (Hear.)
A movement of this character naturally involved a
large expenditure. The subscriptions which had as
yet been entered into were of a very partial character,
but he took it for granted that every gentleman who
had sent in his adhesion to it intended to ,follow
that adhesion by a pecuniary contribution, in order
that it might be properly carried out. (Hear, hear.)
He was quite sure that whatever amount might be re-
quired it would not be found wanting if the people of
England concurred in thinking the movement desirable.
The subscriptions already entered into amounted to
more than 3,000 f. ; but he would inform them that the
committee did not intend that the subscriptions should
be raised to cover the whole expense of the banquets
that might be given to their French guests. Many pre-
liminary expenses would have to be incurred, such as
that of moving large numbers of gentlemen to and fro
from various places ; but not only several public com-
panies, but also several scientific bodies, would wil-
lingly lend a hand to contribute to the entertainment of the
distinguished foreignereto whom-it-might be the pleasure
of the English nation to give an invitation. The Qq.
'vernuent also heartily approved of the movement, and
would do everything in their power, by giving the fo-
reigners free access to public works, palaces, and other in-
teresting places, to contribute to its success. In conclu-
sion, he would invite themfully and maturely to deliberate
on the subject, and, if the meeting should be unanimous
in sanctioning what had been done by the Committee,
he did not fear that the means requisite for carrying
out the movement would fail to be contributed by the
people of the metropolis and of the country at large.
(Cheers.)
Mr. MASTERMAN, M.P., moved the first resolution :
" That this meeting, believing that the peace of the
world, the advancement of science, the development of
art, and the diffusion of knowledge, mainly depend upon
the cultivation of peaceful relations with the French
nation, ate of opinion that some of its most distin-
guished men, connected with legislation, art, science,
literature, manufactures, commerce, and agriculture,
should be invited to visit this country, with the view
of demonstrating to the world the sincerity of the al-
liance now happily subsisting- between the two nations
—an alliance, the continuance of which is eminently
calculated to promote in all countries the permanency
of peace, and its consequent blessings— order, pros-
perity, and happiness."
The hon. gentleman observed, that a desire existed on the
part of this country to enter into a closer union with
the French nation, as the two countries, if united, could
do so much more than if they each had separate inte-
rests to serve. The days were gone by in which we bad
been taught to bear enmity towards France—(hear,
hear)—and it was very natural that we should endeavour
to make some return for the hospitality which had been
afforded us in 1851, and thereby cement the friendship
of the two nations. He had always found the good
effect of a little sociability in the intercourse between
persons, and he believed that to such sociability he
owed very much of the position he occupied in the
city of London. (Hear, hear.) He had much pleasure
in moving the resolution 'which had been placed in his
hands.

------
Mr. W. BROWN, M.P., seconded the resolution and
expressed his belief that nothing would more effectually
contribute to the maintenance of friendship and social
intercourse between the British and the French people
than that they should sometimes put their feet under
the same mahogany. (Hear, hear, and a laugh.) The
French people had invited the Corporation and the
Royal Commissioners to visit them after the Great Ex-
hibition, and as we could now show them another
Crystal Palace sufficiently large to accommodate all who
might choose to sit down and meet their distinguished
guests, he thought it was a good opportunity to return
their hospitality, especially as he understood the Crystal
Palace was provided with an excellent kitchen in which
a'very good dinner could be cooked. (A. laugh.) The
more two people were brought into contact, the more
would they appreciate each other's good qualities ; and
he believed the French were quite as anxious as we
were for the maintenance of the good understanding be-
tween us. (Hear, hear.)
. Mr. DAVIS wished it to be understood that this
was a public and national movement, and not one of
the corporation of London alone, although he hoped
the corporation would take the foremost rank in it.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. G. LANGTON, M.P., then moved—
"That the Aldermen and Common Council, and the
livery and mercantile companies of the city of London,
the Lord Mayor of Dublin, the Lord Mayor of York,
the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the Lord Provost
of Glasgow, the Mayors and Municipalities of the'other
cities and boroughs of the United Kingdom, the Chan-
cellor, Vice• Chancellors, and Principals of our universi-
ties and colleges, as well as the heads of the learned and
scientific societies, be invited to afford their valuable
co-operation."
He expressed his satisfaction at seeing so many mer-
chants of this great commercial metropolis assembled in
this noble hall for the purpose, of carrying out an import.
ant national object. He could assure them the cause
they were met to advocate would have the warmest ap-
proval of the inhabitants of the important commercial
city of which he was the representative—(hear)—and he
trusted that the distinguished foreigners who were about
to visit our shores would, after having seen imperial
London, visit the great 'towns of Manchester, Liver-
pool, and Birmiaghs,m, and that Bristol would not be
passed over. for he knew they would be received in that
city with true British hospitality. (Hear.)
Mr. TITE, in seconding the resolution, said that the
other large cities of the kingdom 'had cheerfully re-
sponded to the appeal which had been made to them by
the city of London. Among the advantages of a move-
ment like this was the opportunity which it would af-
ford the French people of seeing the results of the free-
dom of trade enjoyed by this country, and it might
therefore lead to a union commercially as well as politi-
cally between the two nations. (Hear, hear.) It was
said that it was not the time to carry out such a move-
ment when we were engaged in a war of which we might
have to deplore the consequences, but lie hoped that the
union of France and England would lead to the speedy
termination of the war without any disastrous results.
Before the resolution was agreed to, lie would beg those
gentlemen who bad formed a deputation to some of the
large towns to state to the meeting the goodwill with
which their propositions had been received. (Hear.)
Mr. Alderman MOON accordingly stated that he had
gone with Sir Joseph Paxton to Manchester, the alder-
men of which city had promised to call a public meeting
on the subject upon the return of the mayor, who was