The Sun.
London, England, 1832-10-16 00:00:00

THE LAST PROTOCOL.

From the Hague correspondence extract the follow-
ing account of the Conference on the Ist inst. It is stated
to be the concluding part of the protocol No. 70, signed
on that day, and we believe it may be regarded as sub-
stantially correct ; at least the tone of the language attri-
buted to Lord Palmerston and the Fiench Plenipotentiary
is perfectly consistent with the resolution which has been
since adopted by the two Governments:—
" The English Minister expressed his regret at feeling him-
self bound to notify his refusal of the propositions of the Ple-
nipotentiaries of Russia, Prussia, and Austria, which have
been entered in the present protocol, notwithstanding that they
are fully sensible of the advantage which would result from an
unanimous transaction by all the members of the Conference.
Influenced by the same consideration, the English Mini-
ster, on a former occasion, declaredihis preference of means of
pecuniary pressure to measures of more forcible compulsion, in
the hope that those means would obtain the approbation of the
Conference. But in the present state of affairs, the English
Minister is persuaded that the maintenance of peace demands
decisive and prompt measures on the part of the high subscrib-
ing Powers to the treaty of the 15th of November, for the gua-
ranteed fulfilment thereof. It is painful to perceive in the
propositions of the three Powers nothing that is calculated to
meet the pressure of circumstances.

" The propositions for continuing to negociate having been
made after it had been ascertained that the negociations would
be fruitless, and that all efforts on the part of the aforesaid
three Courts to influence the resolutions of the Government of
the Netherlands by their counsels or admonitions were vain,
the English Minister cannot concur in measures tending to
produce still further procrastination. Wherefore, reserving to
England the right of following such course of action as may be
judged proper for the fulfilment of her existing engagements,
he must content himself with testifying his regret that the Ple-
nipotentiaries of the three Courts are not prepared to co-ope-
rate conjointly in efficacious means for carrying into execution
a treaty which has been ratified by all the Powers, and the
continuance of which in an inoperative state is daily present-
ing serious danger to Europe."

" The French Minister.—l concur in all that the English
Minister has said. Like him, I reject with regret the propo-
sitions of the three Courts of Russia, Prussia, and Austria, and
I still adhere to what I have already proposed in the Confer-
ence, reserving to France every competent means of action
for the execution of the treaty concluded with Belgium, con-
sistent with the rights possessed in virtue of the obligations
entered into, and in such way as the interests of France shall
require."

The hint here given of the non-assent of Russia,
Austria, and Prussia to co-operate with England and
France in coercive measures had some foundation at the
beginning of the month ; hut since Lord Durham's return,
the assent of those Powers has not only not been with-
beld, but has been cordially given,—.. Times.