The Sun.
London, England, 1870-11-29 00:00:00

THE CABINET.

The rumours of dissension in the Cabinet on the
Russian question gains more consistence. A powerful
party in point of wealth arid numbers, a contempo-
rary assures us, is making every effort to induce Earl
Granville to act in a conciliatory spirit, and to frame
an answer that may have the effect of drawing from
the hesitating Court of St. Peterslenrg a virtual re-
nunciation in a peaceful way of its pretensions.
Although the majority of the Cabinet are prepared
to support Lord Granville in his firm policy, partially
through trust in him, and. partially owing to their
commence in the opinion that no congress after the
windows of tranquillity had been lawlessly broken,
could lead to honourable arbitrament, there is a
minority, so it is said, in the Cabinet who
would be willing to accept Prince Gortscha-
koff's disclaimer of any desire to reopen the Eastern
question, as sincere. Mr. Gladstone is on the side of
the majority, Mr. Lowe on that of the minority, audit
is probable that the latter may resign should Earl
Granville demand from Rnssia a decided answer as
to what she wants or what ahe is ready to bind her-
self to be content with in future. The antagonism of
some members of the Government to opening a hostile
question is said to spring from an aversity to in-
creased armaments, which the conduct of Russia in
a few days' time might involve. The military and
naval estimates for the coming year would have to
be increased were it likely that we should have
to shew even a spirit of fighting "the great bear."
MR. BASS, M.P., ON THE CRISIS.

Mr. Bass, the senior member for Derby, has ac-
quainted his coi.stituents with his views on the
present complication of European politics. The war
between France and Prussia has, he says, brought
about an important crisis in the history of this
country, inasmuch as Russia would never have ven-
tured to repudiate the obligation imposed upon her
by the Treaty of Paris had she not felt convinced
that France was powerless to resist her
in attempting to free herself from its con-
ditions. It is clear to the hon. member, judging
from the warlike tone of General Butler's speech and
the feeling in Prussia and Russia, that England is in
great disfavour with the great nations, and, there-:
fore, it behoves this country to consider well its
position. Were England dispossessed of her colonies
a great blow would be struck at her commercial
greatness, Mr. Bass points oi4t that the
policy of Russia, Germany, and the united States,
in matters of commerce, is utterly opposed to that
adopted by England. If the designs to which he
refers were carried out, the artisan class would have
to go to foreign countries to obtain that employment
which they could not find at home. Without having
any desire to be instrumental in precipitating Eng-
land into a war he, nevertheless, counsels a manly
and dignified attitude at the present crisis.
THE NEW YORK PRESS ON THE CRISIS.

The New York papers give much attention to the
Eastern Question. The Tribune says that Russia
at last has thrown oft the. mask. Tier design has
long been suspected but not the less the demand,
coming in an official form, may convulse Europe and
agitate the rest of the world,. The plain English of
the secret treaty between Russia and Prussia is, that
as Russia has watched Austria while Prussia des-
troyed France, so Prussia is now to watch England
while Russia seises the Dlacic Sea, The 7'ribefne
does not feel certain that there will be war after all,
for the Sultan may probably consent to the entire
abrogation of the Treaty rather than begin an
Unequal contest for its maintenance. The New
York 7 imes believes that when the secrets of this
eventful year are known, it will be found that Rus-
sia had a secret treaty with Prussia from the outset
of the war, for Bismarck is distinguished for making
engagements of this kind. It doubts if the English
Cabinet will enter a protest against the designs of
the Czar, and as France must be powerless for many
years to come, the policy of Russia is not likely to
inept with interference. The Herald declares that
General Grant has a groat opportunity for insisting
upon indemnification for the injuries which England
has inflicted on America, for Lord Granville is evi-
dently appalled at the idea of confronting two
young and vigorons nations like America and Russia
which throw their strong arms Around the more aged
and worn-out kingdoms." The Herald points out
that America was insulted by the terms of the Treaty
of Paris, and the United States feel with Russia that
the obnoxious dagsos which close the Black Sea
onght' to he expunged.
against their war ships

PAP AND THE WAR.

It has beep tho general belief that the French