The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-15 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY, JULY 15, 1853.

It will be seen that Lord JOIN RUSSELL laA
night acknowledged the error into which he had
fallen in reference tD the NESSELRODE circular,
explaining that his misapprehension as to the con-
strucdon of the passage relating to the withdrawal
01: the EMPEROR'S troops when complete satisfac-
tion had been given by the Turkish Government,
and the fleets of the maritime Powers had with-
drawn front the Turkish waters, arose from a
hasty and cursory perusal of the document, which
had only just been made public, and the impossi-
bility of supposing that a person of the experi-
ence and sagacity of Count NESSELEDDE would
have affixed his signature to a document
declaring to all the world that the Russian
Government made the removal of the French and
English fleets from these waters the condition of
its evacuation of the Principalities. The fallacy
of the position is indeed too clear to admit of
argument, and we can scarcely wonder at the
incredulity of the Noble Lord, or the mistake
(which he now unequivocally acknowledged) into
which he had fallen on the subject.
One important circumstance was, however,
elicited, which adds to the expectation of bringing
the matter to a satisfactory conclusion. The
Noble Lord distinctly stated that it was a mis-
take to suppose that the negotiations on the sub-
ject had come to "a dead-lock." On the con-
trary, be asserted that " both the English and
the French Government have considered that
there are propositions which might be acceded to
both by Russia and Turkey, which would be the
means of obtaining a pacific solution of these un-
fortunate differences." The Noble Lord added,
that " some time must elapse before it can be as-
certained from St. Petersburgh what view may be
taken of any mode of settlement which either
England or France or Austria may arrive at."
This is so far satisfactory; for, although it in-
volves a delay, very prejudicial to the best inte-
rests of society, it leads to a hope that the cala-
mity of war may be averted. We only hope that
the opinions and remonstrances of the Western
Powers may be conveyed in such vigorous and
energetic terms, as to convince the AUTOCRAT that
there is no hope of bullying or cajoling France and
England, for once united in judgment, and arrayed
aide by side in the cause of justice and of honour.
If the communications be short and decisive,
peace will be maintained ; if trimming 'or vacil-
lating, we shudder to think of the possible results.

The Newspaper Stamp Duties Bill last night
received a second reading. Nothing, however,
was said respecting the portion of the subject to
which the community in general, as well as public
journalists, are looking forward with intense in-
terest--namely, whether the Duties on Advertise.
ments are to be totally abolished, or merely re-
duced to 6d. —one-third of the present rate.
That point, as well as the question of the Supple-
ment Stamp, is to be disposed of when another
measure—Lhe Stamp Duties Bill—comes under
the Legislative consideration. It was anticipated
that the public mind would have been set
a,,t. rest on the interesting subject long ere
tins. Hitherto, however, that hope has not
been realised ; but we trust that there will not
be any fattier delay, and that Mr. GLADSTONE
may deem it consistent' with his duty to yield to
the general wish, and to give up the paltry
charge which Would still subject all periodical
publications to the vexatious
lations made for enforcing fwuell and annoying rep-
payment of the duty,
which, if retained, will,ma
jorfietar, prevent either
the public or the great
the journaN
from receiving the benefit of tyheof. reduction, and
the revenue from obtaining the
would flow into it from other souricouesivancl
whatsoeverwhich,
pen
alents that
we believe, would prevent any
from the surrender of the disputed sixpence.
The great error which Mr. GLADSTONE has cow.
mitted in his calculation is, that he looks solely
to the Advertisement Duties, and to the produce
of the 6d. from that source alone. He has