The Sun.
London, England, 1870-11-16 00:00:00

H E SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY

THE RUSSIAN QUESTION.
VIENNA, November 15, (1.45 p.m.)
Prince Gortschakoff's note causes great excitement
in political circles at Vienna.
Count Beust has decided upon taking immediate
and serious diplomatic steps.
An alliance between England, Austria, Italy, and
Turkey is much talked about in diplomatic circles,
and seriously contemplated and wished for both by
Count Beust and Count Andrassy.

The latest intelligence from Constantinople, up to
the 15th inst., says that the Porte has not yet
received any note from Russia relative to the pro-
ps,,ed revision of the Treaty of 1856, but it is not
in ignorance that the Government of Russia is
tatting steps for that purpose.

MR. GRANT DUFF, M.P., AND HIS
CONSTITUENTS.
(CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAM.)

Mr. Grant Duff delivered his annual address to his
constituents at Elgin last night. Great changes indeed,
sufficient to make interesting the annals of a whole gene-
tion, had, he said, occurred since'he last spoke to his con-
stituents on home affairs two years ago. Proceeding to
touch upon the war, the hon. gentleman pointed out that
ever since dispassionate observers became aware that
the politically active portion of the French people were

determined that German unity should not be established,
they saw a collision in which Germany would be victo-
rious was all but inevitable. Statesmen were right in
doing all they could to postpone that collision, in the
hope that some fortunate chance might allow wiser coun-
sels to proceed on the left bank of the Rhine. That man,
however, was not worthy the name of a statesman who
had not seen 'that for France to attempt to impede Ger-
man unity was to try to disturb a chemical process by
mechanical means, which, under most favourable
conditions was not a very profitable undertaking.
Alluding to' the demands made by Germany in reference
to Alsace and Lorraine, the speaker expressed the opinion
that no proof whatever could be brought forward to 'chew
that a loss of territory meant absolute ruin to France, as
was thought by some observers. There was probably
much more reality in the fear that cutting off from France
her semi-German previnces might have the effect of stop-
ping that infusion of German thought which had for some
years been making her an increasingly successful ex-
ponent of German thought and German research
to the races. As to the lessons taught by the war, it ap-
peared to him.that we had to learn that those were right
who held all' through the early years of the French
Empire that the danger of a sudden quariel being fixed
upon this Country by France was very great indeed.
Another important lesson, or rather warning, was to be
gathered from the custom in the French army of despis-
ing the higher and more intellectual'in points of military
probatjon, and a third was the necessity for having an
efficient diplomatic service. It appeared to him that if
France had been well served in diplomacy, she would
never have gone to war with Germany. England ought to
realise 'the great importance of obtaining the very best
national eyes and ears which it was possible to get for her
diplomatic service. Mr. Grant Duff then went on to say
that he did not think this country could remodel its army
on the Prussian system in the two most essential condi-
tions to the existence of that army not being present in
this country. The first of these Was the' existence of a
class which was sufficiently unenlightened to think that
the profession of arms was the only occupation to which the
gentleman could devote himself,and sufficiently enlightened
to know that success in the profession of arms couldonly be
obtained by the same work which made the despised
citizen successful as a lawyer, administrator, or man of
books. The second condition wanting in this country
was the fixed belief that it was only in and through the
state that the individual could come to perfection,lhat
worship of the idea of the state leading the citizen to hold
that no sacrifice was too great for her service.' He did
not believe that events now happening on the continent
would lead to the formation of another tremendous and most
aggressive despotism, and as to Germany becoming the
rival of England in naval power, it was impossible to
speak seriously about such a laugbear. This country had
nothing to fear from the growth of German power, except
an increasingly keen competition in some branches .of
manufacture and commerce. The great lesson taught by
Russia's discipline and exactitude both in the art of war,
ivas—" Don't rush at thingi in a blundering, stupid,
or, as it is sometimes called, practical way,
but first listen to the teachings of science
and philosophy, and then work out the re-
sults painfully and slowly." Mr. Grant Duff, in
concluding, made a passing allusion to the occupation of
Rome, and to the work of next-session. A vote of thanks
was accorded to the hon. gentleman for his address.

MR. EDWARD MIALL, M.P., ON VIE
ESTABLISH NIENT
(CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAM,)

A Conference of the Liberation Society was held at
Bradford yesterday. afternoon. Among the speakers was
Mr. Edward Miall, M.P. for the borough, who explained
the considerationg which led him to give notice of motion
for the disestablishment of the English State Church.
He did not think the step he had taken premature. He
should bring the question before the House of Commons
next session ; but if it had been carried lhst
session, it would only have been the natural continua-
tion of the policy already authorised and sanctioned
by Parliament. Of course, tvhenever it would be brought
forward would seem presumptuous and precipitate to
Churchmen ; but that did not alter the position. His
own opinion was that the Liberation Society in taking
action were doing that which wp# natural and right—,
that which would, when it was understood, commend
itself to the conscience of all concerned in it.. Mr. Miall
went on to say that he had long regarded the abolition
of the Establishment as the consummation of the
work to which he had given his life, and
to which he believed himself called by Diviire
Providence. There was no question of paramount
importance to be brought, forward in the next session of
Parliament ; and the Liberation Society felt they could
no longer put aside ibis, which would be the question of
questions for the next few years. There was one general
misapprehension which he wished to remove. He desired
it to be understood all over the country that this move-
ment was not directed against.the Church as the Church,
but against the institution as an Establishment., It
was designed merely to destroy its connection with the
State. It was a movement in acconlance. 'with
the direction of European thought 'and action,; it was a
step of true progress, and the only destructive,iirogramme
left to the Liberal party. ... • • •

THE 'FLYING SQUADRON.
[CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAM.]
The captains of the six ships of the Flying Squadron,
which.returned to Plymouth yesterday afternoon, after
voyaging round the world, this afternoon paid their 'res-
pects to the Port Admiral of Devonport. They report a
highly successful voyage. Not a man has been lost (over
board or by any other accident). The health of the crews
has been excellent, a fact attributable to the unusually
good quality of the provisions supplied by the Admiralty
to departments for the use of the squadron. Three days
ago the Phcebe (one of the vessels composing the fleet) lost
her foreyard, otherwise there have been no notice-
able casualties since leaving Valpariso
..,on August
29th. They only touched at Bahia: owing to
the Satellite having lost her rudder, • The Liver-
pool, Satellite, and Phcebe are ordered to remain at Ply-
mouth and pay off, whether all standing !or to be dis-
mantled will not be decided until after inspection to-day.
The Endymion and the 'Pearl have, proceeded to Ports-
mouth to be paid 'off there. " I