The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-25 00:00:00

THE CONFERENCES AT PARIS.

(Prom time Morning Post of this day. )
The Conferences of Paris open to-day. Their
issue cannot long be doubtful ; and the hour is not
far hence when we shall know far certain whether
we are to have peace or war. These negotiations,
devised originally by Austria, were accepted by
Russia upon certain bases, the signature of which
was in itself no small proof of less arrogant preten-
sions on her part. But the Cabinet of St. Petera-
burg has, in so many instances, given proof of a
disposition to avail itself of every cireuinstance
which might be turned to its own ends, that wo
are yet in the d trk as to its real intentions in enter-
ing upon the present negotiation. Either Russia
seeks for peace, or her object in sending envoys to
the West is but an endeavour to loosen the alliance
which so heavily presses on her. If really she wish
for peace, Count Orloff's instructions will enable
him readily to obtain it. The demands of England
and France are limited by the strictest necessity.
All they ask is absolutely essential to the future
safety of Europe, and to provide against the speedy
recurrence of such lamentable struggles. Less than
this they cannot accept. Less than their demand
Russia will offer in vain. If, however, the object
of the Czar be to sever France from England, we
prophesy with confidence his signal failure.
Diplomatic ingenuity may argue with plausibility,
and, in some instances, with truth, that the
interests of France and England are not al-
ways precisely identical, and that their tendencies
are not invariably uniform. The statesmea:of Rus-
sia may build hypotheses upon the fact that Eng-
land has not the same care for the Latin Church as
have the French ; or that the French may fancy
themselves less interested is the eastern coast of
the Black Sea than we are. Russia may delude
herself with the idea that either men or money are
wanting in France, or that the peace party have a
real influence in England. She may still fancy
that a Napoleon has no confidence in British faith.
She may still dream that Englishmen can doubt
the honour of an Ally who, in word and deed, has
ever stood by us, and who has proved over and
over again that the honesty with which he under-
stands our alliance, and the constancy with which
he stands by it are as pure and as admirable as the
heroism which rushed to the capture of the Male-
khoff, or charged to the rescue at Inkerman. If
Russia, then, come with the intention of dividing
us, she will fail as before. It is at such a moment
as this that a Napoleon shows indeed of what mettle
he is made, and so much is this felt in England,
that we should as soon think of doubting the safety
of the honour of France in the hands of the Em-
peror as of hesitating to give him our fullest and
most implicit reliance.

We will not enter into vague speculations as to
probabilities, nor canvass details. Some may see a
pacific intention in the mission of Count Orloff,
one of the most distinguished men in Russia, the
signer of the treaty of Adrianople, at which period
he was Commander-in-Chief of the land and sea
forces of Russia against Turkey. Others may ar-
gue that the maker of the treaty of Adrianople
would not he selected to unmake it. These,' and a
thousand other considerations, pro and con., dis-
appear before the imminent realities of the day.
The real purport of Count Orloff's mission, the full
extent of Baron Brunow's instructions, will soon
be made manifest, and the duration of the present
negotiations be decided. Whatever may havegiven
rise to a suspicion that England and France might
be divided, Russia, at this moment, knows that it
is impossible for her to hope for such a consumma-
tion. The Russian Plenipotentiaries are to-day as
well aware as ourselves of the firmness of the Em-
peror, and of the solid nature of the alliance which
subsists between the Western Powers. The course
of Count Orloff and of Baron Brunow is therefore
plain—to accept our terms, if they are sent to
make peace ; to refuse them, if Russia still thinks
she can hope to resist with advantage the attacks
of the next campaign.
Of the progress of the negotiations but little can
be known. We are informed that the Conferences,
which meet this day at noon, will probably begin
with the choice of a President. This choice, it is
pretty certain, will fall on Count Wale wski, as it is
usual to elect, as President of Conferences, the Fo-
reign Minister of the country in which they are held.
The arrangement of precedency will he settled by the
alphabetical order of the names of the countries
represented. It was proposed originally that each
Plenipotentiary should be accompanied by his se-
cretary, but we understand it is now determined
that none but Plenipotentiaries shall be present,
except the " Director of Protocols," which impor-
tant trust will be confided to M. Benedetti, late
French Charge d'Affaires at Constantinople, a gen-
tleman of distinguished talent. Everything will
be conducted with the strictest secrecy, so much
so, that we believe it is intended to record, in the
very first protocol, the solemn promise of those
present not to divulge what passes. It is a source
of much gratification that we shall not be held long
in suspense ; nor will vital questions be deferred
till after the discussion of less momentous points.
For it is understood that the order of the proposi-
tions has been inverted, and that the Fifth will be
the first to be entered upon. In this case, there-
fore, if the intentions of Russia be as sincere as
our own, the decision of peace or war will not be
long delayed. It is, however, to be expected that,
before coming to the several points, and the mat-
ters involved in theni an armistice by land may
be agreed upon, the blockades by sea still being
kept up.

We earnestly, most earnestly, trust that these
Conferences may be guided to a peaceful issue,
that Europe may be spared the effusion of further
bloodshed, and the difficulties of new complications.
If peace do not come about—if Russia do not now
yield—it will be the fault of those who, it is to be
expected, will deservedly suffer from many of the
consequences. Had united Germany but struck for
the cause which they could not but approve, all
would have been settled and secured long ere this.
For ourselves—we say it in no spirit of arrogance
—for ourselves and our Allies, who have thought
that honesty was the best policy, the cause we have
fought for must prevail. If good terms are not now
given, better may be won hereafter. In any case,
we are bound firmly to secure that important Em-
pire for the integrity of which wo took up arms
upon the strongest foundation, so that, undisturbed
by the oppressions of its great neighbour, it may
pursue in safety those paths of progress along
which it is steadily . proceeding. Let us do this.
Let us guarantee the North as well as the South
from menace, and, having secured the rights of
Europe from the inroads of despotism, the cause of
rational freedom and sensible progress, as under-
stood by England, France, and Sardinia, cannot
fail to advance to new and peaceful triumphs in
the better government of the various nations,. and
of the blessings of liberty and of civilisation. Such
a result will be worthy of the efforts we have made,
and of the great things we have achieved. From
these Conferences such a peace may issue, if Russia
rightly appreciates the overwhelming force of pub-
lic opinion, which requires from her satisfactory
terms, and if she correctly estimates the prepara-
tions which have been wade to insure their ulti-
mate attainment.

(Frown the Presse of Yesterday.)
It is confidently stated that at the first sitting,
as soon as the verification of powers shall have
taken place, the representatives of the Czar will be
called upon to accept a note, which will be pre-
sented to them by the president in the nsme of
the Allies of December 2d. In this note the sti-
pulations proposed to be comprised in the prelimi-
nary convention of peace wilt be drawn up in such
a manner as to leave no room for doubt or equivo-
cation as to the essential conditions. The Russian
plenipotentiaries will be asked to give in their note
in writing. By this means, if indeed the Russian
plenipotentiaries shall be really furnished with full
Rowers, and shall not allege the necessity of refer-
ring to St. Petersburg, the question of peace or
war may be settled without delay.

The Pays says it has souse reason to believe in
the correctness of the report that Russia is resigned
to the destruction of Nicolaieff.

AN EAGLE SHOT IN WINDSOR PAR/C.—A short time
since Cole, one of the Royal keepers of Windsor forest,
shot a fine eagle near Virginia Water, which he presented
to her Majesty. It is at present in the custody of Mr.
Hassell, of Eton, to whom it has been sent to be stuffed,
previously to being placed in the royal museum at Bal-
moral. The bird is a beautiful specimen of the bearded
or sea eagle. It is a very rare occurrence for a bird of
this class to be seen so far south.
FIRE IN HATTON GARDEN.—On Saturday night a fire
broke out on the premises of Messrs. W. and J. Baker,
carvers and gildera, &c., No. 56, Hatton-garden. The
flames were not extinguished until about two hours after
the arrival of the engines, and a considerable amount of
damage was sustained. The following is Mr.Braidwood's
report No. 56, Hatton-garden, Messrs. W. and J.
Baker, carvers, gilders, —Back workshops all de-
stroyed, timber sheds and deals seriously damaged, and
back windows scorched ; contents and buildings insured
in the Westminster office. Ditto ditto, Mrs. A. Nickison
—Furniture damaged by removal ; insured in the Sun
office. Ditto ditto, No. 55, Al[. J.Fordham, emery and
glass paper maker—Back premises damaged by fire, and
contents by water ; insured in the Phoenix office. Ditto
ditto, first floor, damage by removal and water insured
in the Plicenie. Ditto ditto, NOR. 2 and 3, Mr.
M'Combe—Damage to premises aed contents, by fire,
water, and removal ; insured in the Phoenix fire-office.
No. 57, Hatton-yard, Mr. S. Josephs, furniture dealer
—Similar damage ; insured in the Sun office, No. 12,
ditto, Mr. J. R. Harrison, bricklayer—Back windows
demolished and furniture damaged by the removal ;
I aired in the County fire-office::