Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-27

Dy curious anu proDaOly an involuntary
coincidence, the anniversary Of the battle Of
Austerlitz has witnessed the conclusion Of
treaty AT Vienna between France and Austria
against the power Of Russia, and the I'd of De-
cember has another claim TO be ranked among
the fortunate days of the era of Napoleon In
deed, whatever be the exact terms and pro-
visions of this treaty, it is an event of incalcu
liable importance to France to find herself in
actual alliance with Austria, as well as with
England, on the great question which agitates
the whole extent Of Europe, and it is not less
satisfactory TO ourselves to learn the definitiye
conclusion OF an engagement which identifies
our policy and unites our military efforts to
those OF two OF the most powerful empires in
the world. No mere verbal compact between
Austria and the Western Powers can either
compel the Emperor Of Austria to make war. or
compel France and England to make peace .
but the fact that three of the great powers of
Europe have deliberately and freely enteres
into reciprocal engagement to procure the
restoration Of peace, BY reducing Russia 10 sub
NIT TO the terms which they regard as essential
to the safety and tranquility of Europe. is of
the utmost importance to our own particular
interests and to the general welfare. The ex.
plantations which doubtless preceded the con.
clusion of such an arrangement mnst have been
Of nature to remove all doubt and obscurity
as to the real intentions Of the contracting
parties, for it is impossible to conceive that in
the present momentous coniuncture Of affairs
words can any longer be allowed to obscure
the face OF things, or vague assurances to take
the place Of positive engagements.
Whatever may be the ultimate condition Of
the peace which successful war may enable the
Allied Powers TO impose on Russia, II will not
ha ad fhaff he n
form the basis Of any arrangement-that is TO
say, that the former treaties existing between
Russia and the Porte must be extinguished.
and the pretension Of Russia to interfere be-
yond her own frontier abolished that the free
navigation Of the Danube be secured tina. the
Convention Of the Straits be revised for the
purpose OF opening the Black Sea to the com.
mercial and political agents Of all countries.
and OF destroying the maritime ascendancy Of
Russia in those waters; and the protectorate of
the Greek church merged in the common rights
secured BY the Porte to all lis christian sub.
jects. On these objects to their full extent
there can be no difference of opinion between
the allied powers, and the conclusion Of this
treaty proves that they are agreed, not only on
what are called the four points, but on the
most extended interpretation that can be given
to those essential conditions. Upon the same
principle of united action, it is indispensable
that the position Of the Austrian forces in the
Principalities should be clearly defined, and
that, while General Hess engages TO protect
the frontier Of the Prnth and the Danube from
all attack, the movements Of the Turkish or
Anglo.French armies upon that frontier, as
well as on every other part Of the theatre Of
war, should be entirely free and unconstrained;
and il is also to be desired that since the
Austrian occupation Of these provinces has
taken place under convention with the Porte,
and with the full cognisance Of the Western
Powers, the questions Of administration which
must arise IN the principalities in their present
unsettled condition should be brought under
the knowledge Of the agents and representa-
tives Of the Sultan's allies.
The Times Paris correspondent under date
December 4, writes " | have reason 10 believe
that the doubts expressed yesterday by certain
parties relative TO the real peaning and force