The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-22 00:00:00

THE PEACE CONGRESS.

(From Second Edition of the Times of this day. )

The following is the letter of oar Paris corre-
spondent, dated yesterday, 6 p.m. :
Peace is so certain that people now only talk
about the date of its official announcement. As
it is not anticipated that the sub-Commission ap
pointed to decide upon details, not of sufficient im-
portance to occupy the attention of Congress, will
have very much left for them to do, it is believed
that very soon after Easter the world will he in-
formed that the war is at end. Some fix it for the
27th. The proclamation of peace, however, need
not be delayed by the proceedings of the sub-com-
mittee, and the great point once agreed on, the
treaty may be signed forth with. The Prussian Pleni-
potentiaries have already presented themselves
twice at the Conferences. They were courteously
received, and their conduct, it appears, has given
no cause for complaint. Their position must
have been rather awkward, under all circum-
stances, but they comported themselves with
proper modesty, and I am assured they -of-
fered no opposition, and suggested no difficul-
ties in the way of an arrangement. Russia,
notwithstanding occasional fits of coyness, no
doubt to enhance the value of her favours, has
ended by conceding almost everything she was
asked neutralisation, Nicolaieff, Principalities,
and territorial rectification; and one would sup-
pose that at this moment her only regret is that no
further concession is asked of her. So, at least, goes
the report. Notwithstanding the grace with which
Count Orloff yields to the allies, there are occa-
sionally some cutting allusions to Austria—polished
to be sure, but not the less keen. The ter-
ritorial concession was-dangerous ground to touch
on, especiaily for Austria, and all the art of M. Buol
did not prevent him from suggesting corrections in
matters of diplomatic lore which were not to the
taste of the Russian Plenipotentiary. It was hinted
that the experience of Russia was inferior to that
of Austria, and admitted with proud humility that,
so far as practice-went in matters relating to terri-
torial concessions, Russia had very little advantage
indeed ; her acquirements were all on the other
side. For M. Buol himself, personally, no one
has any objection ; and the acquaintance he dis- .
played with treaties of all sorts, and with the inter- -
national law of Europe go:let-ally, is said to be pro-
found. But it is not difficult to perceive that the
Government he represents is hated or mistrusted
by all. Prussia eyes her askance, and Austria, in
turn, regards her rival wi ch undiminished suspicion
and dislike, and feels still uneasy at the prospect of
itnythin,,e• like liberal institutions being established
in the Principalities. Peace will be made, no
doubt, but whether in the meaning of the mot at-
tributed to one of the Plenipotentiaries—une pais,
et non la paix—time alone can tell. It will be made,
but whether the men who have assembled together
to discuss and sign it will repair to their respective
homes enanunred of each other is another question.
A rumour prevails that Prussia is desirous of re-
covering the good graces of England, which her
conduct throughout the war had forfeited. How
true the report is I cannot say, but her dislike, and
perhaps fear, of Austria may prompt her, now that
Russia can render her little service, to court the.
goodwill of her former friend.