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

THE WEATHER—Sum OrincE, FEB. 2.
THERMOHETER, IN THE SHADE.
43—highest since noon yesterday.
38. —lowest this morning and during the night.
39 —this day at noon.

BAROMETER, 30•04.
WTNI), N.W.—Light, with dull, hazy weather.

V.3),t

LONDON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1856.

Lord CLARENDON, in his address to the Lords
on Thursday evening, did not express any very
sanguine views respecting Russian sincerity in the
forthcoming negotiations. Ho candidly confessed
that " great doubts and anxieties must of course
be felt as to the result ;" adding emphatically,
"It is impossible to deny that great doubt is felt
as to the sincerity with which Russia may have
accepted these conditions. The readiness with
which she has accepted them, and the manner in
which she proceeded last year, after purely and
simply accepting the terms of peace, have increased
that doubt !" It is fortunate that Lord CLAREN-
DON has not been hoodwinked or deceived by
Russian duplicity, and that the English represen-
tative at the Paris Conferences will exercise the
utmost possible vigilance over the proceedings of
those with whom he may be required to negotiate.
But with such an impression abroad, the pro-
priety and justice whereof he so freely admits, why,
we ask, should an armistice be concluded for any
period, however brief ? Lord CLARENDON declares
that he fully agrees with Lord DERBY that the
armistice should be " of the shortest possible du-
ration." Why, then, have one at all ? The
season effectually prevents any very active opera-
tions by land or water. The winter has bound
over all parties to keep the peace, for the time
being, and there will be ample time to arrive at a
complete and final arrangement if Russia be in
earnest, and resolved to submit to reasonable
terms—far less onerous, by the way, than any
she had a right to anticipate.

There was no armistice last year, although the
acceptance of the Four Points was just as
pure and simple as that so reluctantly
given by the Casa. to the recent Propositions
of Austria. But no energetic measures were
adopted until the curtain had fallen on the diplo-
matic farce. Then the expedition to Kertch and
Tenikale was organised, that led to such impor-
tant results. The Russian flag was driven from
the Sea of Azoff, as it had previously been
from
the Euxine, and the gallant PI:LIMIER inaugu-
rated the series of brilliant exploits that have
added imperishable renown to his glorious name,
and reflected so much lustre on the arms of our
faithful Allies.
Why, then, we repeat, an armistice ? Why
supply a powerful motive to the adversary
for procrastination and delay ? We are
told in the Royal Speech that there shall be no
relaxation of the naval and military preparations
until a satisfactory (?) treaty of peace shall have
been concluded. The Foreign Minister repeats
the announcement in the Lords, and it is dwelt
on with considerable power by the Premier
in the Commlns. No expense will therefore be
saved to the country by the temporary truce.
as we have already stated, we hold out an
inducement to the enemy to procrastinate and
delay, while she is enabled to supply her most
urgent wants of money, and what are usually
termed " contraband of war," with far greater
facility, in consequence of the change.
This armistice is concluded while Kars is in the
hands of the enemy ! We shall thus be precluded
from striving to wash out that deep stain on the
national escutcheon of Great Britain. Well may
the CZAR rejoice at the culpable weakness that