Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1854-03-23
The War Debate in Parliament.
SPEECH OF LORD JOHN RUSSELL.

in reply TO Mr. Layardl and others on the
Eastern question. Tho first part Of his
speech consisted of a detailed examination Of
the diplomatic correspondence between the
English Government and the other parties
concerned; the latter states very clearly and
ably the position of the contest and the pros
poets of the war. We copy this portion Of
the speech entire.
81 have stated as shortly as could, with
out argument and without quotations, the
general course which the British Govern
ment has pursued. We have now to con-
slider the prospects before US, and what re-
mains to be done. Hear, hear With re.
gard to diplomatic correspondence-with re-
gard to terms of peace-there were terms
proposed by the Ambassadors of the Four
Powers at neutrality-suspicious. very nea-
ly assented to-assented to in such a manner
at Constantinople as to be sent to Vienna
by those representatives., and TO be adopted
and approved at Vienna, by the conference
of the Four Powers. Sir, it does not ap-
pear to me that those terms were either
derogatory to the dignity Of Turkey, or were
they such as were at all unbefitting the
Emperor Of Russia to accept. What course
IA Al E..-Po.OI VI Russia pursue? be 1t
remarked that he was reported to have said
at OImutz--I do not wonder at the declara-
tion-that he had been asked to agree to the
Vienna note, and it afterwards appeared
that Turkey would not agree to it; that he
thought it unreasonable to put him in such
positions; and that he hoped, when next
terms Of peace were proposed, they would
be such as Turkey would be sure TO accept.
Well, the Four great Powers had exerted
themselves to obtain them. But when these
propositions had arrived at St. Petersburg
the first impression was to give no formal
or regular answer TO them; and the next
thing was to transmit some countcr-pron-
osltlons to Vienna, without taking any for
NAL notice of the propositions sent to St.
Petersburg,
Now, | must say that, considering that
these Powers-England, France, Austria
and Prussia-representing all the great
Powers of Europe, with the exception of
Russia-that these terms were proposed
with the view to prevents bloody and costly
war extending all over Europe-consider
ing all this, say that The curse taken by the
Emperor Of Russia shored total disregard
Of the peace Of Europe, cheers, an utter
contempt othe opinion Of Europe, and a dis
regard otthose Souereigns Nth ,chon, he had
been an alliance. Instead of any acceptance
of these propositions, other propositions,
which shall shortly be laid upon the table Of
the House, were sent TO Vienna; they con-
tanned propositions which were very much
like repetition of the old demands of the
Emperor Of Russia, with the addition of
other demands, one of which was that the
refugees of different nations should be ex-
PEELED from Turkey--an article, no doubt,
intended to weaken Turkey, and one which
would be fertile source of relnonstrances
and Of occasions for war whenever it nigh,
please the Emperor of Russia. Count Buol
the Austrian Minister, communicated these
fears to the Conference, but declared ex-
pressly that he did not recommend them for
adoption. (Hear, hear.)
come now, Sir, 10 the letter which was
addressed by the Emperor of the French to
the Emperor OF Russia. That, Sir, was an
attempt made by the Emperor of France and
the Government of France to induce the
Emperor Of Russia TO reconsider his de-
termination to evacuate the principalities
which he had wrOngfully occupied, and-not
to conclude treaty, not a separate negotia-
ton, as my honorable friend supposed
to draw up articles with Turkish pleni-
potentiary, which were afterwards to be
submitted to conference of the Four Pow
ers. For my own part, should say that
in point of dignity, the entrance of Russia
into the Conference oPthe Six Powers would
be more becoming her dignity and position
than the submission of her treaty with Tur-
key to the appreciation of the four other Pow
ers. At all events, there is no concession
to Russia in the propositions thus made. |
will not attempt to say that entertain the
hope that the Emperor of Russia will acoede
to that proposition, or that he will abstain
from enforcing, with all the power of Russia,
those unjustifable demands which he has
hitherto made against Turkey. What Sir,
must then be our position? There can be
but one position for us. n must be on the
side Of Turkey [cheers,l Offending her
against aggression, [renewed cheers If
am asked further, before entering upon
this Committee Of Supply, what are the
means to which we look forward? and, in
the terms of the honorable member for In