The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-08 00:00:00

is invariably injurious to England, and highly
advantageous to her enemies. As Lord ELGIN
recently remarked, with caustic truth—" Next
to the successes of our arms, what we have had
most reason to be thankful to PROVIDENCE for is
the failure of our diplomatists." Let us not
again afford a similar chance to our antagonists.
It is with Germany and the Germans chiefly
that the occasion may be improved by Russia.
Our own impression is that nothing can be
achieved on either side with that phlegmatic race,
that neutrality will be maintained so long as it
can be practicable, no matter whether they may
be treated with the most profound deference or
the most galling indifference. If they have wil-
fully and deliberately decided on abdicating the
functions belonging to the Great Powers, we
should permit them to remain in the position
which they have advisedly chosen, only insisting
that their neutrality shall be real, and not
merely colourable, and that they do not render
important aid to one of the belligerents while
pretending friendship to the others, or at least
perfect impartiality. We have found it an in-
tolerable task to attempt " moving such a dish of
skim milk to an honourable action." They are
unworthy of the labour. Had they acted in a
becoming manner the War would either never
have commenced, or have long since terminated.
Had the Western Powers acted with perfect inde-
pendence from the beginning a similar result
would have been attained. The heavy sacrifices
of men and money to which we have so cheerfully
submitted are as greatly ascribable to German
imbecility and apathy as to Muscovite arro-
gance and ambition. For the sake of the PAL-
MERSTON Government, the best, perhaps, that can
be hoped for, under existing circumstances, we
trust that it will meet Parliament with a decided
programme, eschewing, beyond all things, a
diluted or milk-and-water policy, and leaving
Germany to the unenviable and undignified
position which she has chosen for hers elf.

How it came to pass that the brave Garrison of
Kars and its chivalrous Commander were com-
pelled to surrender to Gen. MOURATIEFF is one
of those questions which cannot have too speedy,
specific, and accurate an answer, and which ought,
therefore, to occupy public attention until such
an answer is forthcoming. Not only is this due
to the heroic defenders of the fallen stronghold,
whose extraordinary sufferings and endurance
called for the promptest and most resolute di eer-
sion, but also to the fame of SELIM PASHA, the
distinguished Commander to whom the relief of
Kars was entrusted, and to the Western Powers,
who have practically lost an important position,
which, in case of an Asiatic campaign, will cost
them a powerful effort and much loss of blood
and treasure to regain.
That blame attaches somewhere, grievous
blame, will not admit of doubt. We need go no
further than the testimony of the Russian General
to place the fact beyond the possibility of dispute.
He, it may fairly be presumed, knew the
precise nature of the country to be passed over,
and what an adventurous commander with ade-
quate resources could effect towards the raising of
the siege, and knowing this we find him stating in
his despatch that "having learned that OMER
Paslla was with a large force at Batoum, I
judged it necessary to attack at once." How came
it, then, that ONIBIG PAsue. did nothing t Of all
the commanders of the Allied Forces none has
achieved a higher reputation for successful and
daring generalship than he. It sometimes hap-
pens that the transposition of a general to a novel
scene of operations more or less paralyses his efforts
according to'the exte4t of difficulties he has to en-
counter. But in this case the Mushir found him-
self on the very scene on which he had won his
earlier laurels, and with no difficulties before him
save such as in former times he had triumphantly
surmounted. Nay more, it is far from improbable
that he was acquainted with the admission of the
Russian General, and consequently had the
strongest motive to push on to the rescue of the
garrison. The sinews of war, it is said, were not
wanting, transports were to be had in abundance,
and the necessary powers to put his troops in
motion were in his possession. Yet he hesitated
to cross the mountain ridges of Lazistan, and
General WILLIams had no other resource left him
than to make the best terms he could with the
Commander of the Russian Forces. What aro we
to think of this mysterious business Was the
Turkish Treasury really supplied in time with so
much of the Loan as to enable them, if willing,
properly to equip the Turkish army? If not, who
was to blame ? If so, did they fail in their duty,
or OMER PASHA in his, and is blame also attribut-
able elsewhere—to the Allied Commanders, or
others, or not ? These are questions which must be
answered. OMER PASHA refused to undertake a
hazardous enterprise because, it is urged, of in-
adequate means. Will his plea be found justifi-
able, even to complete exculpation ? What we
know of the man and his career leads us to believe
it will, and that it will be found that no other
course one whit more likely of success was left
open to him. The problem, however, remains
unsolved, and, as we have said at the outset, the
most speedy, specific, and accurate answer is de-
sirable. Wherever blame may be due, let it be
rendered without scruple, and, if to more than
one party, let it be justly distributed. We cannot
afford another blunder equivalent to the fall of
Kars.

In another part of this day's impression will
be found a letter, which has just been addressed
to the Chancellor of the Exchequer by Mr. S. A.
GODDARD, of Edgebaston, Warwickshire, a well-
known and justly-celebrated writer on currency.
We are always disposed to receive with respect-
ful consideration any suggestions emanating from
such a quarter. Mr. GODDARD was a distin-
guished and consistent Free-trader, but ho also
perceived that freedom of currency was at least
as important as freedom of commerce, and that
under certain necessary regulations " unrestricted
competition"
was just as essential to the welfare
and prosperity of
the nation in the one as in the
other. However, then, we may differ in matters
of detail, we feel it an imperative duty to give
all possible publicity to the views
ohni:d cos
and to scrutinise closely the of such a man,
gr
we cannot entirely coincide with noclnusiwoinlisc.h
The petition. which Mr. GODDARD some time
since presented to Lord PALMERSICON on the all-
important subject has already been partially acted
on, and it is more than probable that the views
therein expressed may, to a great degree, if not
altogether, be carried into execixtion during the
rapidly approaching session. But Mr. GODDARD
himself declares that he neper " for one
moment considered that their adoption would
place the circulating medium upon a permanent
footing." That they would afford. very consider-
able relief during the existing prey mre is unques-
tionable ; but they would still n terely alleviate
the evils resulting from the adoption of an erro-
neous and radically defective system t. The organic
disease "would still exist ; and -for that Mr.
GODDARD suggests a more extol asive remedy,
which, as he conceives, would effvc t a total cure.