The Sun.
London, England, 1859-04-30 00:00:00

A time-honoured proverb cautions the world
against placing any faith in Princes ; and "tele-
grams" may now be fairly added ! The most accu-
rate information can be scarcely credited ; what
appears on one day as a certainty is contradicted
on the following. We hear of wars and rumours
of wars. The Stock Exchange is in a state of
panic the rate of discount advanced by
nearly 40 per cent—and men who last week
were wealthy and independent, already com-
pelled to suspend payment and encounter
bankruptcy and ruin. These are very untoward
events, but we fear that ere long others still more
deplorable must be chronicled, and that we shall
be compelled to announce the conflict of opposing
armies, bloodshed on an extensive scale, and war
with all its horrors desecrating one of the most
beautiful countries in the world !

It is now stated—by telegram—that the intelli-
gence of the Austrians having crossed the Ticino
in force on the night of the 26th or morning of the
27th, was unfounded ; that the troops had been
in motion, but on receiving counter-orders halted
on the eastern bank of the river. On the other
hand, it is positively asserted that the advanced
posts actually took up a position on the Sardinian
territory at the above period; and we have it now
on unquestionable authority, that the Austrian
army have made a movement in advance into Pied-
mont, and commenced hostilities. They have unques-
tionably lost some valuable time, in which a severe
blow might have been inflicted on their most bitter op •
ponent, while France has been making every exertion
to send troops into Sardinia. Ten days since the fast
of the ultimatum was known, although it was not
delivered until Saturday, and the three days' grace
were doubled in consequence of the strenuous exer-
tions of the English Government, and its final
efforts to avert the horrors of war.

The alleged treaties with Russia and Denmark
are also strongly denied ! But we also hear
that a Russian corps of 60,000 has crossed the
Dnieper, and moved on the Galician fron-
tier. This is a significant event, that far
exceeds any semi-official or even official contradic-
tion that could possibly be offered. We have had
too much experience lately of diploniatic quibbling
and mendacity, to yield, implicit credence to what
may be asserted on any side. There are too fre-
quently distinctions without differences, striving
to set aside the spirit of the agreements and the
general and honourable understandings that had
been arrived at. There may perhaps be no written
treaties, but verbal engagements, followed by the
same results, will be just as bad to all intents and
purposes.

The great question for us to decide is, what will
be the course adopted by Great Britain ? There is
a general desire that we should keep out of the
scrape, and not interfere one way or the other
between Powers, none of whom can reasonably
demand our sympathies or approval. It is really
hard to say which of the opposing parties should
be most severely censured. We could not desire
to sustain the Austrian maladministration or
unwarrantable intervention iu Italian affairs, nor,
on the other hand, can there be the slightest ap-
proval of the course adopted by France and Sar-
dinia. Even were the objects of the former beyond
suspicion, the means adopted would merit general
condemnation.
We have fortunately an authentic exposition of
the views and opinions of the British Government
respecting these unfortunate transactions. Lord
STANLEY, in his admirable address to the
electors of King's Lynn, on his unopposed
re-election, explained the course that had been, and
probably would be, pursued. Of course the latter
must depend on circumstances wholly beyond
merely human control and foresight. The noble
lord declared that her MAJESTY'S Ministers had
endeavoured to interfere 'in the interests orpeace,
as far as it had been possible for England to inter-
fere, without compromising her own position by
pledges that might be productive of future embar-
rassment. No effort had been spared—no means
left untried for the preservation of peace. They inter-
posed in spiritiinnaaucedy
anof *perfect irnpar_tif_klitY, that must
parties not influenced by the
criminal ambition
of " men placed in too high a
position above the masses of mankind" to feel that
respect for human rights, or that sympathy for

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THE SUN.
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1859.