Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-03-30
RUSSIA AND NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
LONDON, March 10, 1854

LONDON, March TO- 1854.
To the Editor of the National Era.
The Emperor Nicholas has at last opened
his mouth publicly, and not in diplomatic notes,
ruses, and protocols; and the Petersburgh Ga
setie, in long article, endeavors to persuade
the world Of those matters of which its Imperi-
al master failed to convince Turkey, France,
and England, and even his well-disposed
friends, Austrin and Prussia. That a fine piece
of Jesuitry would be produced by the astute
ministers Of the Autocrat could hardly be doubt
ed but tho facts of the case are so palpablc as
to admit of no argument--not one of them
and the present abortive attempt is scattered
to the winds The only important inference to
be drawn from it is, that the Emperor quails
before universal opinion, and, as the crisis
nears him feels, less assured Of his arrogant po-
sition. And well may he pause and trcmbIe,
for the bolts of fate directed against him are
Of terrible aspect.
England or France alone would be no foe
to slight; but England and France together,
by sea and land, must be appalling. The Bal
tic feet has the strength of a raging lion, and
it is pretty certain that its arrival in that sea
will be signalized by one Of those lombard
ments which are found to be irresistible by
any Notifications on land. The prodigious
battery Of thousand heavy cannon, discharg-
ing their dreadful missiles with the rapidity Of
hail-storm, can hardly be imagined to the
extent Of its force and destructiyeness. The
trial will speedily be on, and after tho subju-
CATION Of tho Baltic, the later opening Of the
Gulf Of Finland will bring the very homes Of
the Russian empire more closely acquainted
with the fury the mad and obstinate ambition
Of its ruler has provoked
Some doubts have recently been thrown on
the cordial adherence Of Prussia and it does
seem that her wavcring monarch has resolved
to wait events, and for the present be strictly
neutral, with view to mediation hereafter,
should opportunity offer.
Austria appears to be moro firm, and is aug.
menting her army Of observation on her east
ern frontier.
At homo, tho Reform bill has been postponed,
and will scarcely reappear this session. Some
sixty members did not relish the idea Of their
snug boroughs being disfranchised /; and the
Ministers having thrown the tub to the whale,
(which in this instance the whale did not show
the least inclination to play WITH the affair
may 90 TO the limbo Of shams till something
happens to evoke its resuscitation.
The questions Of priyateering and the rights
Of neutral flags are likely to obtain grave con-
sideration on the breaking out Of hostilities !.
and an almost new, or at any rate much mod
fled international system, will probably be the
result. Priyatecripg will be utterly dircounte-
nanced but on the other hand, the facilities
for passing contraband Of war, under any dis.
guisc or prctonce, will be vigorously examined
and restrained. The precise rules are not yet
promulgated, but the principles on which they
are being framed are what we have stated,
and Of great importance to the commerce OF
the world