The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-28
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The achievements of the Allies before Sebas-
topol and in the Sea of Azoff, are disparaged
by the Russian Press in this country, but the
supporters of the Cause of Western Civilization
are perfectly satisfied with their gains. Russia
feels that she has sustained serious blow In
fact, against the continual defeats and disasters
she has suffered, she can set off not single
signal success.
The Conference at Vienna has at last been
finally closed; and Austria announced her pol
icy to be "expectant" She will endeavor to
maintain neutrality, watch every opportunity
to aggrandize herself without mourning too
much risk, and continue to play double game.
At present, the indications are that England
and France will be left to bear the burden of
the contest. 1t is said, we know not on what
authority, that the French Emperor was willing
to accede to the last overture of Russia, but
England would not consent. We do not be-
lieve it. There is no evidence that the Gov
ernments of England and France have been at
variance during the course of the negotiation.
becoming unpopular in either country, The
People know that Russia is the aggressor, that
she has outraged and insulted Europe, and has
not yet intimated willingness to forego her
ambitious projects. In the British House of
Commons, on the 4th and 9Th, in great de-
bate on the war; the most determined purpose
was evnced to sustain the Government until
Russia should be compelled to make peace on
terms safe and honorable for the Allies. The
Tribune, with its customary Russian procliv-
key has been suggested in the House of Com
mons by members intimately connected with
Lord Palmerston." We should like to see the
authority for such statement. Will the 1ri6-
une lay the evidence before its readers? Some
thing was said about the fall of Turkey, in the
House, in the course Of the debate on the 9Th
inst but the speaker was Sir James Graham,
a determined opponent of the policy of the
Government in regard to the War, and an ad-
vocate Of immediate Peace!
"With regard to the future, he regarded it
as the great test of the rising craftsmanship of
England to make provision for the fall of the
Turkish Empire, and to take care that Con-
stantinople did not fall into the hands of Russia
on the one hand, or any great Western Power
on the other"
Lord John RUSSELL who followed him in the
debate, defended the limitation imposed on
the Danubian Principalities by the arrange
ment on the first proposition, as the best that
could have been adopted under the very deli
cete circumstances of the case. The Princi
palities could not be Independent. If they were
to have selfgovernment under the protection
of the Porte, it was necessary to stipulate that
they should not intrigue against the tranquility
of their neighbors."
The arrangement alluded to was, placing the
rights conceded by the Sultan to the Principal
tiles, dependencies of his empire, under the
guaranty of the five Powers, instead of the sole
all affect the relations of the Principalties to
Turkey. Lord John Russell proceeded:
the question then came to be, for what
object was the war to be continued? His an
swer was, in general, that it still continued to
be the maintenance Of the independence Of
Turkey, and, consequently, the security of Eu-
rope"
Again: in the Vienna Conference, one of
the great aims of the Western Powers, con-
stantly insisted upon, was, the incorporation of
Turkey into the European system, so that her
rights, independence, and integrity of territory,
might be fully recognised and secured. There
is not scrap of evidence that either of them
has abandoned, or proposes to abandon, this
policy and when the Tribune speaks OF =" the
broaching of this project -" (of dismemberment)
son the part of the British Government" it
speaks of what has never taken place. That
its own position is directly the opposite of that,
it occupied eighteen months ago, we have
proved, and by its silence it admits the fact;
but all its efforts to show that the character of
the war; or the objects for which it is waged,
have been changed, are utterly futile.
Meantime, Russian diplomacy is at work, to
embarrass the Allies, by arousing the hostility
of Neutrals against them. Some vessels hav-
ing been seized in the Baltic by British COM
mander, and confscated, which are alleged to
have been engaged in lawful commerce, the
| cunning NEssELRoDE has made it the occasion
of a circular to the Neutral Powers and, aware
of the afinities of Mr.. Mason, our Minister at
| Paris, he has addressed him specially upon the