The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-09

to avail itself Of the tran II has laid
One OF the Questions which has been put in various
forms 70 Austria by the other German States cahsing
against her was whether, in the eveut Of Russas
ceptng the four points, she would bind herself to alb
the Western Powers. The cabinet Of Vienna positively
refused to contract any such engagement the effect Of
which must have been TO tie her down TO the system Of
neutrality BY the mere acceptance Of certain general
propositions by Russia
The tenor of the four propositions contained in N.
Drosyn de Ihuys note of the sth OF August
sarily indefinite, for although they established the
leading principles for which the Western Powers are CON
tending they did not define the application of those
principles That II was felt could only be done by the
practical results Of the The conditions are there
fore open to great latitude OF Interpretation both
France and England, and by Austria herself that they
were in no respect to be taken bar any further
claims or spuatons arising out Of the progress Of hos
tlities Ihey contained in fact the minimum OF con
cession without which negotiation could be opened,
but they left wide margin for the circu and
considerations which could not fail to in the pre-
sent agtated condition Of the East Of Europe In ex
pressing her readiness to accept these the basis
Of negotiation Russa gives no firm precise guarantee
10 the other Powers, for everything depends the
meaning she consents to ax 10 these propositions The
world has not yet forgotten memorable instance in
the course OF these negotiations, in which Russia
her acceptance Of the terms prescribed by the
Vienna note; but, afterwards shown by q des-
patch addressed to one Of her diplomatic agents,
accepted that note in sense hardly differing from
tho original demands Of Prince MenschikoG himself,
and with such reservations and perverted constructions
Of its meaning led to it's entire rejection BY the very
persons who had framed the document IT, therefore,
II be said that Russia is prepared to accept the four
points contained in the Note of the 9Th Of August we
may fairly require TO be told in clear and Ian
guage whether she accepts the abroyation Of her
treaties with the Porte the s.ablshment Of joint
Protectorate in the Prncpaties instead OF her
eparsie convention the bona de opening the Danube
and the revision of the Convention OF 1S4l with view
to the limitation of her maritime power the Black Sea-
The loose and obscure language in which dipomatsts
not unrequently wont to hide their real meaning
only for equvocation and expressions which
the peace of mankind may hereafter depend
too clear and percmptory.
The alleged acceptance OF these propositions by Russia
is OF course not addressed either directly indirectly
to the Western States but only to Austria, by whom
alone they originally communicated to st. Peters
burg Whatever may be the value of such declaration
i is Impossible to doubt that its principal il not its sole
object Is TO proong that 10 Of neutrality which has
thus far secured to Russia all she could hope obtain
from the German Powers and, possible to dvest that
neutrality OF the armed and mencaing character 1t has
asySned the side of Austria. Like the evacuation of
the Princpalitics three months ago. this apparent
cession is doubt made by Russia to counteract
the tendency of the Court of Vienna to a nearer
connexion with the Western Powers and it may
at least to bring the sincerity Of the Austrian
government to the test. II is impossible that the
Cabinet of Vienna be the dupe OF palpable a
manouvre; and we cannot doubt that Count Buol, who
has hitherto resisted and defeated ntermnabe series
Of Russian ntrgues, is perfectly aware Of the amount
of confidence to he placed overture of this nature
IT, therefore, this communication regarded repre-
sented at Vienna the basis Of any tangible negota
ons for peace should be led to infer that the Aus
ian uisters we're, after all only waiting for
pecious pretex to proong their neutrality at the
pense of the great interests of Europe IT, on the con-
rary Austria is resolved to in the Of
policy she has protessed to pursue, this attempt OF
nssia 10 entce and amuse her with fresh negotiations
viii only accelerate her determination. In either case
the decision OF Austria on such point in way
a.iect the course Of the belligerent Powers.
To those who deeply and earnestly engaged in this
great struggle there is something puerile and
Voting in the oicious attempts Of crowd of puny in.
rlguers to sway the headlong train Of human affairs
this way o, that at their bidding. The questions which
ns war hss opened or called into being Of mag
aituc undsvity which these interlopcrs cannot com
n
power OF the three greatest empires of the world and
The future condition Of fourth empire which can
neither return to its former state nor remain in its
present We can oresee prospect Of peace until
tc Jtjuns9 9 has decided Whether the influence o.
EHsso that Of England and France is hereafter 4
rerondercte in The affairs Of the East and Of Europe
That is dispute which negotiation will not terminate
especially Mt moment when the contest is raging witt
the utmost earnestness against the stronghold of Ris
sian power; aud the fate of the allied armies before
sebasopol is the event which will hereafter determine
The of negotiation. There is road to peace but
ils III efnrN