The Sun.
London, England, 1831-07-28 00:00:00

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LONDON,
THURSDAY EVENING, JULY 28, 1831•

We have at length good news for Poland—
though not from that country ;—Prussia has
thrown off the mask ! The wily hypocrite is at
last revealed in all her fiendish perfidy ! This
we say is indeed good news for Poland, and
for the cause of virtuous as well as national in-
dependence. From the first we predicted that
it would come to this, and we accordingly
urged England, but more especially France,
to speak out if they really wished to
avert, what France must now find inevitable—a
war to assert, consolidate, and confirm her own
independence.
Although we have not yet received an official
announcement of the open step which Prussia
has ventured to take, for hitherto she stabbed in
secret, still we bare little doubt of the fact, as
all her previous conduct had an inevitable, ten-
dency to this conclusion. We find the following
in the Chronicle of this morning,
and similar
announcements in the Herald and Post :

.‘ Prussia has at length fairly thrown off the mask of
neutralty. We can state, on the authority of letters from
"Berlin, from an unquestionable source, that the Prussian
Government declared to the Minister of France at Berlin
that they would aid their good Ally, the Emperor of

Russia, in his exertions to put down his rebellious sub-
jects, both with provisions and munitions of war—and,
on the other hand, that they would do every thing in
their dower to prevent either individuals or arms from
other countries reaching the Poles—that the state in
which Prussia is at present, with regard to the Belli-
gerents, is inactivity, but not neutralit These de-
clarations will go far to explain the boldness of the
Russian Field Marshal, in disclosing his plan of operations
with so little .hesitation. This declaration of the Court of
Prussia completely changes the aspect of political affairs."
Indeed it does ! And we are much deceived

if this declaration of Prussia do not at once de-
cide the hesitating policy of Louts PHILIPPE.
But he has now no alternative. France must
interfere to save Poland, or Louts PHI-
LIPPE'S destiny is as clear as that of
CHARLES the Tenth. What was it but the
foreknowledge, as we stated over and over
again, of the coming storm that induced Prussia
and Austria to recruit their armies ? Was it
not this secret feeling that prompted Holland to
remonstrate ? No one who has attended to
Continental affairs can doubt it for a moment,
and we are really glad that matters have come to
this issue at last, for Europe could never be
cordially at peace without some better understand-
ing than exists at present—every Continental
Power being nothing better than in a state of
armed neutrality. Such suspicious friendship
could not long exist, and it is far better for all
parties to come to a true understanding.

The French Papers of Tuesday have been re-
ceived, but they contain no further news from
Poland. The Monifeur gives the official
despatch of the French Admiral at Lisbon,
announcing the forcing of the passage,
the capture of the Portuguese squadron,
and the humiliation of Don MIGUEL.
The conduct of the French has been
bold, masterly, and brilliantly effective. We
could only wish it had been more complete—
that " the monster" had crowned their bravery
by his capture.
On the subject of Poland, the Journal des
Debuts, a semi-official Piper, has the following
excellent and instructive comments on the
KING'S Speech :

" The mediation of the Great Powers has been called
to the assistance of that of France. Here, we do not dis-
semble, appear immense difficulties ; but, in facing them,
the French Government has accomplished a duty, and it
does not shrink from the consequences. The time presses,
decisive events approach, the natural resources are being
exhausted and cannot be renewed ; let our language
become more and more urgent ! We are not de-
livering a funeral oration over the grave of Po-
land. It will live to reap the fruits of these efforts. The
Russians have crossed the Vistula, but the Polish army is
more brilliant than ever, and full of confidence and enthu-
siasm in its noble cause. Russia must dread even her
success. And why should tie ears of the Court of St.
Petersburgh be so obstinately shut to the voice of reason
and humanity ? To warrant the treating with disdain
the entreaties, and, if need be, the menerces of Europe,
Russia ought to occupy the whole of the places which
she occupied in Europe a short time ago. The illu-
sion has vanished, arid with it all the advantages of
the illusion. Six months of fruitless efforts against a
province have revealed a secret of which it is prudent
not to allow the inves'igation to be carried too far.
Why should every thing be changed at St. Petersburgh
but the obstinacy of the Government ? Is every thing,
then, there like what it was in past times? No; a hun-
dred times no ! Nut even the aspect of that great city, so
easily thrown into agitation at this time by a cart-load of
dying persons carried to the hospital, and scarcely- re-
strained in its barbarous instinct by cannon And regiments
of the Imperial Guards. No, not even the Sovereign, the
brother of Alexander, who rushed two years ago to Mos-
cow, on the news of the invasion of the cholera, and who
now abandons Petersburgli on the first symptoms which
revealed the existence of the contagion."

On the above passage the Morning Chronicle
remarks with great truth, in the justness ocwhich
we cordially agree :

" This is the language of the French Ministry, and
explains what the Speech left obscure. It would appear
that the French now think the time come for speaking
without ceremony to Russia. We conftss we are glad
to see a barbarous Power, which ought never to have
been allowed to influence the civilised part of Europe,
reduced to its proper level. It is time now to teach
Russia the place which she really occupies among the
nations. But then what a satire these comments are
on the submissive tone of Louis Philip's language to
the Autocrat on his elevation to the throne of the French.
The Sovereign of the greatest, the most enterprising, and
the most warlike nation of the Continent—strong from
position as well as front numbers—prostrated himself be-
fore the Chief of an aggregate of barbarous hordes, spread
over the desetts of the North and East of Europe, as if his
continuance on the throne depended less on the suffrages
of his own people than on the good-will of a distant semi-
barbarian!
" However, the illusion with regard to Russia is va-
nished, and this is to be attributed to her own indiscretion
and obstinacy, and not to the penetration of her enemies.
She should have been contented with triumphs over Turkey
and Persia, and the world might not so soon have disco-
vered that, in modern warfare, the resources of barba-
rians, however efficacious against still greater barbarians,
are inadequate to a contest with civilized nations."
The Moniteur contains the following report
from Hear-Admiral Baron Rousstic to the Mi-
nister of Marine :
" On board the Suffren, off Lisbon, July 11.
" I have the honour to inform yon, Sir, that in obedi-
ence to the instructions you sent me, the squadron tinder
my command has this day forced an entrance into the
Tagus, and ix now lying broadside to under the quays of
Lisbon, in front of the Palace. The action commenced at
tshalfe-p,
tohn nl
ee,diulie
tin w
etrheer
passed,e hours
o tzirrn d a
me
nh att t
Vice
ting " b -
le Rai," and we compelled every Portuguese ship of war,
which formed a line across the river, to strike her flag.
They are in number eight; namely, the Don Juan VI.,
of 76 guns ; three frigates of 48 guns each ; two sloops,
an I two brigs. On the summons I afterwards made, the
Portuguese Government consented to give all the satisfac-
tion France demanded. I enclose you the ausw er. I sin

about to ensure the full execution of this treaty, and shall
have the honour of transmitting you a detailed account, as
soon as the mission entrusted to n,e shall be accomplished.
At present, I shall confine myself to assuring you that every
man has done his duty. According to your orders, and
in consistency with the national character, I waited till We
were fired upon. The forts of St. Julian and Bugin,
which defend the mouth of the river, were enabled to play
upon us for ten minutes before we could bring our guns to
bear. I beg leave to add, that, by moat unexpected good
fortune, the squadron, which for three hours and a half
remained at between 400 and 500 toises • only from so
many large batteries, hitherto conceived to be impregnable,
bas experienced but a very slight loss. Accept, &c.
(Signed) " BARON ROUSSIN."

Admiral Roussin summoned• the Portuguese Govern-
ment to accede within two hours to all the propositions
made previous to his entrance into the Tagus. The Por-
tugue,e Minister immediately returned the following
answer :
" MAY IT PLEASE TOUR EXCELLENCY,—In answer to
your summons, dated this day, I have the honour to declare
that the Government of his Most Faithful Alajesty, wish-
ing by every means to avoid the disasters which might en-
sue from the late events, adopts the bases proposed in your
Excellency's despatch of the Sth inst.
" Your Excellency will accept, &c.
(Signed) " VISCOUNT DE SANTAREM."
Lisbon, July 11.