The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDO.N, KONDAY EVENING, MARCH 22. 185

parks for the people, but let holidays be secured
also on which amusing and benefitting the many
shall incur no penalty.

In foreign, 'especially in Eastern politics, Mr.
LAYARD is unquestionably an authority. Had
he occupied the place of the humble-
witted red-tapist who now does second duty
at the War-office, all England would have
said it was the right man in the right place.
And, however Whig and Tory colonels may bark,
there can be no question that a little of the mens
divinior—of the fire of genius—sharpens the
vision of a politician as well as of a poet. Very
many of us will put more faith in the honest
genius of Mr. LAYARD than in the Germanised
talents of our Cabinet Leaders. Now, Mr.
LAYARD, while like all of us desirous enough of
peace, is unable to regard the present one as
satisfactory. He foresees probable causes of
early disturbance ; to be prepared for these
we shall have to keep up a costly
army and navy, and to us peace will, therefore,
bring not only taxes to pay for what Russia should
have paid for, but taxes because we left her un-
taxed. We have declined to take bail of her, and
to indemnify ourselves at the same time ; the re-
sult is, we pay our own costs, and the cost of an
armed establishment that she may fear to commit
burglary again. We pay both ways that Russia
may not pay at all. Not very satisfactory that
" consults the honour and dignity of
Russia," and therefore pleases the Germans and
all to whom German dynasties and dukedoms have
given wives or husbands. Russia for the most
dishonourable conduct must have an honourable
peace—sic volvere Germanos.

Mr. LAYARD is one of the few Members of Par-
liament who can burst the trammels of routine—
he has done it before, and again he does not hesi-
tate to call a spade a spade. He thinks the
Peace "premature," he believes no Englishman is
satisfied, however much he may desire peace in
the abstract. He feels with the nation, that our
present efficient prepareions ought to leave been
made use of either directly or indirectly ; they
ought either to have secured vastly different terms
of pence, or to have conquered them. Mr.
LAYARD considers that we have done nothing, or
next to nothing, for the great matters of civil and
religious liberty, and that on that ground also,
more especially, the peace is premature. It is
gratifying to find our own views honestly uttered
before a British audience by one of the most
disti❑gui=hed Members of our Senate—and we
must think they represent every man's heart.
Almost every Englishman feels ashamed of the
peace. It is useless to deny it. We like a cheap
loaf----if indeed peace would cheapen it ;we like
a light iucoe-ie-tax, and none at all better still ;
but each of us looks at the other with the awk-
ward feeling of partners in a career ending not
very creditably to our pluck. The very praisers
of peace appear to us like men trying to hide an
inward feeling of something shabby by loudness
of commendation. It is premature, talk as
grandly as they may ; it leaves despotism ram-
pant all over the continent, and religious liberty
curtailed rather than extended. Even Turkish
Christians have gained but little which the STYLTA.N
was not before rapidly bestowing on them. In-
deed it was his religious liberality which moat
urged him to it.

The more we learn of the capitulation of Kars
the more thoroughly satisfied we become of the
utter unworthiness of Lord STRATFORD DE RED-
CLIFFE to represent British interests at Constanti-
nople, and of the culpable forbearance of our Go-
vernment in not long ago dismissing him from a
post which, throughout the War, he seems to have
occupied chiefly for the gratification of his own

caprice.
Say that the Turkish government was muddled
by the influence of a knot of intriguers---that
corruption and peculation, with a sublime indif-
ference to th e objects of the War, were to be met
with in high places—that the military Pashas in
Asia had no regard for anything but their own
safety and aggrandisement—were, hi fact, the
vilest cowards and the most rascally plunderers
that ever disgraced even Turkish annals ;
and when all this is said and few will
be found bold enough to deny its truth—still the
crowning iniquity remains with the British Am-
bassador. Had he but done his duty the miser-
able horde of traitors and robbers would not have
been permitted to pursue their infamous career ;
and instead of a disastrous, though in some re-
spects glorious, capitulation, we should have had
to record the liberation of Kars from all cause of
apprehension by the final retreat of the Russian
forces.

Let the position of Turkey be remembered.
To all intents and purposes the fate of that un-
happy country was in the hands of the Allies,
and their representations had, if they chose, the
force of commands. Who would have been found
bold enough to resist their clearly-expressed will,
or, having that audacity, strong enough to do so
with impunity ? Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE
had but to make himself acquainted with
the gathering elements of disaster in Asia, report
them promptly to his Government, and lend to
its decisions a cordial co-operation, to have dis-
persed them into " thin air." The heartless
vanity of the man, however, stood in the -way.
His will must be supreme, or everything might
go—where it liked. Desirable it might be to
stay the advance of General MounavinFr,- and
save Kars—to his thinking it was infinitely more
so that the presumptuous intruder WILLIAMS,
owing only allegiance and support to the Govern-
ment at home, should be made to repent of his
temerity in the mortification of defeat. The
great English bashaw, of course, knew nothing,
at all events had told nothing to the
Allied Commanders in the Crimea, of the
perilous position of affairs in Asia at that
period when the enemy was marching on Kars
—as will be seen in the despatch from Colonel
SIMMONS to Lord CLARENDON, . dated July 15,
1855. There it will be found that, at a confer-
ence of the Allied Generals, held at the solicita-
tion of OMER PASHA, to take into consideration the
menacing aspect of affairs in Asia, and the necessity
of his liberation from the Crimea, in order to:make
a movement to the rescue—his representations
failed of their effect because " the Generals and
Admirals had received no information from their
respective ambassadors at Constantinople which
should lead them to believe that the affairs of
Asia were in that precarious state in which OM/IR
PASHA, from the information he had received front
his Government, believed them to be." Is not
this a palpable proof, irrespective of any other,
throwing entirely out of mind the half-hundred
and odd unanswered despatches, and the singular
act of forgetfulness which left General WILLIAMS
without the recognition and authorisation of the
Turkish Government, that his lordship most de-
plorably failed in the discharge of his duty ?
That any attempt to relieve Kars was made by
OMER PASHA at all was no fault of Lord
STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFB, much less that
the attempt at relief proved so inefficient.
It was on the information of his own Government

and not of the British Ambassador that 03IER
PASHA acted ; had he waited for the latter the
expedition would never have been attempted, and
the capitulation of Kars would have been the
first news he had of the siege. How revolt-
ing it is to think that this fine enterprising
soldier was kept with an army of 60,000 bravo
Turks, of whom the greatest part were Asiatics,
whose families and property were exposed to the
ravages of the advancing enemy, should have
been kept idle and useless, fretting his proud
soul with impatience in the Crimea, when, if
transported to Asia, he could have driven the
forces under General MOURAVIEFF before him in
irrecoverable rout. That if we had had an able
and upright ambassador at Constantinople, the
war would have terminated without one triumph
for Russia, and without the introduction of Kars
into the conditions of peace to our discredit and
loss.

tolia.

LATEST NEWS.

MARSEILLES, MARCH 22.

Accounts by the Thabor state that the Allies
have commenced the demolition of the enclosure-

wall round Sebastopol.

The steamer European, which left Constan-

tinople on the 11th inst., with 400 soldiers on
board, and the clipper Edgar Stringer, with 170,
have arrived, and are in quarantine.

Ismael Paella was increasing the army of Ana.

General Mouravieff had received reinforcements
by the way of the Caspian Sea and Tifii4.

Letters from Persia say that Dost Mohammed,
the Khan-Serdah of Caboul, has taken possession
of the province of Rand char.

Persian troops were marching against him.

THE PEACE CONGRESS.
(From Second Edition of the Times of this day.)
The following is the letter of our Paris corre-
spondent, dated yesterday; 6 p.m.:—
it was confidently reported yesterday, and with
every appearance of truth, that the-labours of the
Congress were last night to be brought to a conclu-
sion. It was even affirmel that the Treaty of Peace
would be signed at the same time, so that the Moni-
teur might be able to announce it this morning, a
few hours only before the celebration of the Te Deum
in thanksgiving of the Empress's safe delivery of a
Prince. The effect would have been fine—while the
solemn strain was pealing beneath the roofs of every
cathedral in France, that the thunder of cannon
should announce the consummation of the work of
peace. On such occasions people hardly content
themselves with the bare truth, and we are now
assured that so certain was the Emperor of the sign-
ing of the treaty that orders had been given for
illuminations in the Ministerial offices. It may be
so ; the fact is not important ; but of the confidence
with which the conclusion of peace was looked for-
ward to I have no doubt.
When the Plenipotentiaries separated on Thurs-
day last it was understood that the next meeting
should take place on Saturday; and up to Friday
night the hour remained the same at which they
usually assembled. Notice, however, was sent
round that it was necessary the Congress should meet
earlier than usual. There was a good deal of busi-
ness to get through, and-it was desirable to meet as
soon, and separate as late as possible. A Ministe-
rial journal had prepared the public for the expected
solution by stating that, after three days' work by
the Plenipotentiaries in committee, " the sitting of
yesterday would not fail to be important." In
one or two quarters it was mysteriously whispered
that the discussion would be an animated, and, at
its close, not a satisfactory one. On the authority
of other and more sanguine parties it was affirmed,
on the contrary, that the business of yesterday
would be of the lightest, and would hardly be more
than affixing signatures and shaking hands.
I regret to say that the more agreeable prediction
has not been realised. Unanimity did not prevail at
the sitting of yesterday, or, if unanimity nearly pre-
vailed, the dissentients, whoever they may be, were
sufficiently powerful to disappoint the expectations
of the public. The discussion was not so amicable
as had been anticipated, and so far from a treaty of
peace being signed at the close of the meeting, there
is reason to fear that no one can positively say when
that treaty will be signed, or whether the difficulties
that are now in the way will be removed during the
ensuing week. I do not mean to affirm they will not,
but I doubt if any one can fix the period when they
will; and although I am far from stating or believing
that the solution of the Conferences will be other-
wise than pacific, I fear we are at this moment more
distant from that solution than we were supposed
to be 10 days ago. Difficulties have arisen which I
hope are not insurmountable, but which may take
time to remove. That time is felt to be very pre-
cious in every respect, and not least in a financial
point of view. Indeed, the loss incurred is con-
siderable in men as well as money. Typhus is
raging in the army, and the expense incurred 'by
14 or 15 days' unnecessary delay in the Crimea is
calculated for the English at about 20,000,000 f. ;
for the French about 15,000,000 f. Our armistice
expires on the 31st, and it is denied, though I can
hardly credit the denial, that it will be renewed ;
but even if it be renewed, an act of indiscretion on
the part of a general officer, of a diplomatic agent,
or even of inferior persons, may add new compli-
cations, as if there were not enough already.
You will agree with me that the cause must
be a serious one indeed which would justify
so much loss. That a cause, great or small, im -
portant or trifling, exists, there is no doubt. But
what can it be ? everybody asks. Were we not
told from the beginning of the present week that
nothing could be more satisfactory than the pro-
gress of the negotiations ? Indeed, the Russians
were so conciliating that they seemed to regret
that no more was asked of them ; the Austrians
appeared resolved not to be offended by any
scowls or sarcasm from Count Orloff; and the
Prussians were said to be as meek as mice. In
fact, evetything went on, or was said to go on,
" merrily as a marriage bell," when all of a sudden
the scene changes. I think I can guess the
cause of that change. I believe it to be owing to
the demand put forth yesterday by the Prus-
sian Plenipotentiaries to be admitted to sign
the Treaty of Peace on the same footing and in the
same character as if Prussia had been a party to the
alliance throughout, as if she had accepted all the
obligations involved in it, had joined in the ulti-
matum, and had declared that she would abide by
all its consequences. Such it seems are the preten-
sions of Prussia at this moment, and I believe that
in these pretensions she has the support of Russia,
if not of others. That these pretensions are op-
posed in the C mgreas is evident from their pre-
venting the Conferences being brought to a con-
clusion yesterday ; but by what Powers in parti-
cular I am unable to say. Of the main fact of
their being put forward, and of their being the
principal, if not the sole, cause of this unforeseen
delay, I think I can safely assure you. By seine
persons such a cause is considered, if not trifling,
at least not sufficient to justify the serious conse-
quences that may follow. By others, I suspect,
real importance is attached to it. I do not take
upon myself to decide as to who is right, or who is
wrong ; I content myself with repeating that the
delay in signing the treaty of peace, expected yes-
terday, is attributable to the opposition offered to
the demand of Prussia to be admitted on terms of
equality with the great Powers, and that I cannot
say when that demand or that opposition will be
withdrawn.

The concession which the Porte has made to his
Christian subjects entitles Turkey to demand from
France and England a continuance of that suppon
already accorded to secure the union and indepen-
dence of the Ottoman empire. The Sultan has
been inspired with a policy which will entirely
change the-character of the oriental world. To put
the reforms in practice it is necessary that England
and France should stand by the Porte during their
operation. This will be done ; and although it
may be that the armies of the belligerent allies
shall leave the Turkish capital, for some time to
come a considerable force will be maintained not
far off.

I believe Austria is decidedly in the minority at
the Parisian Congress. If she has no open enemies,
she has no sincere friends. She may not get out of
peace conferences all gains and no losses. Ido not
now think that the Plenipotentiaries will separate
without mooting questions which Austria may not
care to discuss. The great declared aim of the En-
voys is to give Europe a lasting peace, and that can
only be done by removing the elements of disturb-
ance. In 1848 Europe was convulsed with revolution.
The happy turn of affairs iu France restored general
tranquillity. But when the Emperor of the French
conquered mad republicanism and stifled socialism—
when Germany got rid of the Government of barri-
cades, awl when Italy was the victim of reaction
which the Peninsula never merited—anarchy was,
indeed, putdown, but with the exception of France,
no permanent system of rule has been established.
In France, Napoleon 111, became the universally
elected head of the nation, to which he has given
prosperity and solidity. Germany and Italy (ex-
cepting Piedmont) remain just as they were before
1848, or something worse as regards political re-
pose. Whilst France has progressed in intelligent
rule, Germany and Italy have retrograded. As
matters now stand, both these important countries
may convulse Europe any day. These facts are no
doubt obvious to the. statesmen now met iu Paris.
They may discuss, propose, suggest, nay, I believe
they will do so ; and yet I fear little will be accom-
plished. There is as little intelligence as sincerity
in the old despotic Governments of Europe.

FRANCE.
THE PRINCE IMPER lAL.

The llfoniteur of yesterday publishes the follow-
ing official documents relative to the birth of the
" Prince Imperial :"
" In the year 1856, on the 16th day of the
month of "z March, we, Achille Fould, Minister of
State and of the _Emperor's Household, in virtue
of the office we hold under the Bch article of the
Senatus-Conaultum of the 25th of December, 1852,
and under the 13th article of the Imperial Statute
of the 21st of June, 1853, aided in the execution of
the same statute by his Excellency M. Pierre Jules
Btroche, President of the Council of State, pro-
ceeded to the Palace of the Tuileries, in obedience
to the- orders of his Msjesty the mperor, con-
tained in the sealed letter, dated the 12th inat., as
follows :

" 'M. Achille Fould, Minister of State, as the
Empress, our much beloved spouse, is approaching
her confinement, we have ordained that as soon as
she feels the first pains you shall be apprised thereof
to proceed to the Palace of the Tuileries to the
room appointed for you, that you may be intro
duced into the chamber of the Empress at the mo-
ment of her delivery. Our wish is that, with the
aid of the President of our Council of State, you
may draw up the act of birth conformably to the
Bth article of the Seuatus-Consultum of the 25th of
December, 1852, and the 13th article of the
Statute of the 21st of June, 1853.
‘" We have selected as witnesses his Imperial
Highness Prince Napoleon and his Highness Prince
Lucien Murat.

" ' Whereupon, M. le Ministre, I pray God to
have you in health and His good keeping.
' Done at the Palace of the Tuileries, March
12,

" ' NAPOLEON.'

" And being at the Palace at the hour of two
o'clock inflie morning in coinpsny with his Impe-
rial Highness Prince Napoleon and his Highnes4
Prince Lucien Murat, the witnesses selected and
sent for by the Emperor by letters couched as fol•
lows :

" My dear Cousin,—AstheEmpress, ourmuch-
beloved spouse, approaches her confinement, we
have ordained that as soon as she feels the first
pains you shall be requested to proceed to the Pa-
lace of the Tuileries, to the chamber reserved to
the princes of the imperial family, that you may
be admitted into the Empress's chamber at the time
of her delivery. Our wish is that you shall sign
the act of birth as witness.

" Wherein I pray -God, my dear cousin, to
have you in good health and his good keeping.
"'Done at the Palace of the Tuileries, the 12th
of March, 1856.
" ' Yours affectionately,

" NA..POLEON:

" To his Imperial Highness Prince Napoleon.'
[Here follow two letters precisely of the same
tenour, one to Prince Lucien Murat, the other to
M.:Abbatucci, Keeper of the Seals.]
We, Minister. of S:ate, were admitted by order of
his Majesty the Emperor, with his Imperial High
ness Prince Napoleon, and his Highness Prince
Lneion Murat, amll. his Excellency the Keeper of
the Seals, into the bedroom of her Majesty the
Empress at Vie moment she suffered the pains
which announced her proximate delivery ; which
having happily taken place at a quarter past 3
o'clock, Madame Bruat, Governess of the Infant
of France,' presented to us, as also to his Imperial
Highness Prince Napoleon, and to his Highness
Prince Lucien Murat, and to his Excellency the
Keeper of the Seals, by order of his Majesty the
Emperor, the•child of which her Majesty had just
been delivered, and which we recognised to be of
the male sex. And we then immediately entered
the Empress's saloon, in which was his Majesty
the. Emperor, and his Majesty informed us that it
F was his intention that the Prince Imperial should
receive the flumes of Napoleon Eugene Louis Jean
Joseph.
"Of all which we have drawn up the present
official statement upon the register of the Imperial
family, in presence of his Imperial Highness Mon-
seigneur the Prince Napoleon, and of his Highness
Monseigneur the Prince Lucien Murat, witnesses
selected by his7Majesty the Emperor.
" And said statement has been signed by his Ma-
jesty the Emperor, the abovenarnecl witnesses, and
by the Priucesand Princesses of the family present,
and also by his Excellency the Keeper of the Seals,
Minister of Justice.

" Which act has been signed by us, Minister of
State, and countorsigned by his Excellency the
President of the Council of state.

(Here follow the signatures) :
" NAPOLEON.
" PRINCE NAPOLEON.
" PRINCE MURAT.
" PRINCESS MATHILDE.
"PRINCESS BACIOCCHI.
"PRINCESS CAROLINE MURAT.
"PRINCE JOACHIM MURAT.
" COUNTESS DE MONTIJO,
Duchess of Peaaranda.

" ACHILLE WOULD.
" J. BAROCHE.

-
ABBATUCCI."
The following waa the bulletin issued yesterday
at the Tuileries :
" 22d, Half past Eleven, a.m.—The health of the
Empress continues excellent."
(Signed as usual.)
There was a meeting of. the Plenipotentiaries at
half-past one o'clock on Saturday.
BOURSE, March 22.—The following were the last
quotations :
Cash. fr. 0. - End of Month,
4i per Cents 94 —e.
3 per Cents 72 40 72 60
New Loan 72 75
Bank Shares 3,500 Roman
Credit Mobilier 1,570 Austria,
Belgian Fives !Spanish Threes
Piedmontese (5) 9l 25 Home Debt 40

BAILWAYS--POR CASE.
fr. C. fr. c.
Orleans ......... ...... 1,300 Western sc3 25
Northern - Strasburg
LYowu. -..... 1,267 50 New Ditto 827 50
Mediterranean ......1,550 Grand Central
by oa s tionvva ...... 7,35 Teste
Catte 752 50 Austrian C0rn....... tJS 75