Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-04-10
RICHMOND wHIG.

KlCHMOND WHG.
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS ON THE CoRREsPoN.
DENCE.
FROM the London Times.
We have already eIamneda some length tho .sc,c and
confidential correspondence between Russ. and Cre,,
tain but although the first considerations hy
these extraordinary disclosures affect the relations Of the
two governments with each other and vitbmutkey bs
publication Of these documents will no, fail to nrodrs =.
equally powerful effect the relations Of Russia and Enc
land with the other powers OF Europe. Although thi,
correspondence was Of most confidential nature and was
destined in all Human probability concealed from tho
knowledge Of mankind till long liter all the persons on
gagged In 1t had disappeared from the scene of life we
may be permitted to remark with pride aud satisfaction
hat not one WORD occurs in Il the part of the Bsh
government Of the British Envoy Mt ST.
,nis country has any reason to regret dsarow
Inc languages used by England in speaking of all the
other powers Of Europe precisely the behind their
backs a II would be before their faces aud in the
Of the British agents foreign power can
ueover anything at variance with the principles we have
always publicly expressed. The offer OF territorial con
sesson was not for moment entertained, and although
England was ready enough combine with Russia for lie
purpose oil preserving the existing OF the East il
wholly declined to take part in work of destruction
shich Russia contemplated The OF these con.
hdenal communications with the Emperor of Rsa did
not therefore induce England devatc hairs breadth
from her friendly understanding with other powers or
rom her hc.iity to the general interests of Europe
MOI such, however, the policy OF Russia for eyery
part oi these communications and indeed the very
trre aud spit OF them prove that she to
take very little account Of the interests and claims OF 9TH
er powers provided she could in deachpp Eng
land from thern and in uniting her schemes of the
Emperor Nicholas. From his first conversation with Sir
Hamilton Seymour the Emperor declared, .'when we
England ana knssa-ae agreed am quite without anx-
iety as to the West of Europe is inmaeriaI what the
others may think do" On next occasion this er
preston was repeated, and the Emperor added tha.
french expedition were sent to the Suans dornninons
that step would bring affairs immediate crisis and
would compel him to send his forces Turkey without
delay or hesitation On the 2st OF February the Empe.
flipat tI.
take on Eastern Affairs but that their conduct was susp
cious and looked ifhey eudeavoring to embo us
sh he last the better to arrive at their Objects
one oi which, no doubt, the possession of Tunis
Throughout these conversations France spoken of by
the Emperr as power which he thinks scarcely worth
while TO concate and is evident that the exclusion of
her influence IN the East formed essential part of his
plan. The German powers treated even more con-
tempuousy. IL is difficult to foresee what part the King
OF Prussia expects to play in the important events which
seem to be impending Europe but does not ap
pear that his imperial brother-inw attached sufficient
Importance to the resolutions Of the court of Berlin TO
throw away moments consideration upon it Through.
these conversations which embrace not only the con-
iton OF the East but the relations Of the European pow
ers Prussia Is not even distantly alluded and there
could not be stronger proof of the subordinate position
to which the Sovereign OF that country has descended
than the fact that his interests opecuons are not
considered by the Emperor of Russia than those of wur
temberg or bavaria With Austria the case il different
IL evident that the Emperor thought he had already
provided against any possibility Of resistance in that
ter Upon Sir Hamilton Seymour's saying-"Your Maj
aect her very nearly She OF would expect to be
consulted; the Emperor replied "oh you must un-
derstand that when speak OF Russia speak of Aus
tria well what suits the the other Our in
terests as regards Turkey perfectly identical."
From these expressions and other parts OF these tran
saciors ne British minister drew the interference that
distinct understanding exist between the two
imperial courts Oh the subject of Turkey; and this
to be "a cerIsiu aud acknowledged fact
-upposng that its basis lid at of the meetings
between the soveregns which too place in the previous
autumn and that the scheme had been worked out
by Baron Aey endo: tie Russian envoy at Vienna We
nave no further evidence In support OF this statement but
1t Is certain ihat u such an agreement did does
st between the imperial courts must have been i'm
posed on the Emperor Francis Joseph by his formidable
meghbor and aly Tor il is essentially untrue that the in
erests OF Austria are or ever identical With those Of
Russia OH the Turkish question: They are the contra
y, diameircay opposite Austria requires the free nav
Gauon oil the Danube Ii would be nn absolute surren-
der OF her Traditional policy and her nearest interests
she had been weak and base enough submit to Rus
sian protectorate of the provinces both sides of the
river, the temporary occupation Of Coustantnope itself
and partition Of Turkey, the immediate effect of which
would have been to expose her domnions
geance OF France.
We rather inclined to believe that the Car meant
that Austria not in condition TO resist his will for
know of nothing in her subsequent conduct which
justify the belief that she had already abdcated her lib
erty OF action that any such engagements as have
been hnted at are really in existence. This country
however, entitled to contrast the conduct and policy
of ministers towards Austria with that of Russia
which claimed TO be her ally. England at once
observed that the interests OF must in any case
DC consulted; and, although relations with that
far from cordial the time, never for moment
consented act against her without her
Tne Emperor Of Russia, the contrary spoke the
Interests and almost the existence Austria were in his
grasp, and identified with his territorial rights 1t
will be and hope acknowledged by all Europe
and that the rm resistance OF England these proposals
the first check TO the projected aggression that
she repudia;ed all participation in OF which
Turkey would not have been the only victim.
Her answer that she could be party to any un-
dersanding that TO be kept from other powers
and that her main object being the preservation
she desired uphold the Turkish empire much for the
sake OF the West Of the East every great ques
ton in the West will revolutionary character
which the continental governments are in
On which SIDE them il these communications between
England do find steady adherence to the great prin
cipes OF legality and ordery 0n which side do we dete
the existence Of schemes calculated undern inc the DO
lca system Of Europe! The to these questions
be safely left TO the publ; opinion OF all civilized na
ioDs and to the deliberate udgmsn Of the governments
OF the world.
The disclosures of these papers, taken in conjunction
with tie muster OF the Russian armies and the OF
Prince MenschkoG prove that the Emperor Russia had
formed plan by which he hoped TO supjugate pro
tecr Turkey, TO defy France TO reduce Austria q
SAL and Prussia to cipher provided only he could obtain
the acit express this country his designs
We have strong evidence that he reluctant TO
quarrel with England and therefore il unreasona
Oe 10 suppose that the temperate opposition of England
might lead him to iorego these calamitous schemes.
Being foiled here we have believe that
he addressed his France, with similar OBJ
ject, though with the result. But at any rate the
prudent aud determined attitude Of this been
the main cause which has defeated his Intentions aud the
perusal Of these documents will satisfy the world tina,
England has not been ihless Indifferent to the cause
OF national independence aud the public peace.