The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-02
Peace Negotiations IN Europe,

must certainly be regarded as indicating de-
sire for peace on the part of the British govern
ment. In the last speeches made by Lord John
in Parliament his tone was singularly pacific;
he declared, not without suspicion of official
authority, that neither France nor England had
any desire to diminish Russian territory, and
spoke throughout in so conciliatory tone that
no one could infer from his language that at
that moment British army was lying broken
and bsffled before the walls of Sebastopol. The
present head of the British government has not,
it is true, been given to lean to the side Of
peace. Lord Palmerston has courted the repu-
tation of q fire eater rather than the laurels of
a peacemaker. But there are times when the
natural bent of the strongest minds must yield
to circumstances, and it seems that there is
nothing even for Lord Palmerston to demand
in the present crisis but to be preserved from
the enemy. AN accounts concur in represent
ing the prospects of the siege OF Sebastopol as
hopeless Sir John BurgoyRe, the Chief En-
gineer of the British army, wishes it to be
understood that he is not responsible for the
works now going on there. The loyal cores
poDdent Of the Times declines to state the
number of men to which the army has dwindled
down. Several regimental officers have gone
to Constantinople and Malta to try to raise
men-tber own commands having totally
disappeared. Disease is telling on the French.
The Russians are erecting new batteries
to command those of the English and in
very short time we may expect to
hear of their commencing the attack
anew. The recruits sent out by the British 60
vernment die without firing shot, not being.
in the language of correspondent, even tit
food for powder. On another side the move
ment SO long planned by Russia on the frontier
of British India has broken out. Cabul is once
more in arms. Turkistan and Bokhara are
preparing to vindicate their long promised
fidelity TO the cause of the Cars, Even Bur-
nah miserable, spiritless Burmah-declares
that she will not consent to her provinces being
wrested from her, and war must probably fol.
low. To add to all, the financial pressure on
the government has become excessive, and it
is obvious that few months more such expen-
diture must lead to some explosion.
Here are reasons enough for Lord John Rus
sells pacific tone-grounds more than enough
for vigorous attempt on the part of England
to declare peace. But the question arises how
would peace overtures be relished by the EN-
peror of the French and the Carr With re-
gard to the former, the case presents itself in
duplicate aspect. As revolutionary monarch,
the most formidable enemy against which Ma
poleon has to contend is the mob of Paris. A
war drains off that mob; and hence it was that
Louis Philippe picked quarrels in Algiers, and
never would allow peace to be made.
The Eastern war has served the same purpose
for the Emperor Napoleon. 1t has rid him of
his most dangerous enemies who are now fol-
lowing their bent by shooting the Russians in
the Crimea. Make peace and these men re-
turn to continue their practice with the
Emperor as a target. Again, peace without Sc
bastopol implies defeat; and defeat in France
implies revolution. The French cannot, "a the
English do, overthrow their ministry and pat in
new men; or keep the Executive in check by
means of Congress, as we can. With them there
isno alternative between barricades and loyal
If, therefore, the siege of Sebastopol is def
nitely raised, and the $4,000 Frenchmen now in
the Crimea return to France with dropping
eagles, it will 60 hard but Napoleon will pay
the penalty Of his failure with his crown. He
needs no peace to reconstruct bis army. Every
man in France is a soldier; has been bred and
taught TO handle the musket; on an emergency,
half million Of able troops might be raised
with little pressure. Money seem, to be flow
ing into his treasury, and really peace seems to
promise him nothing bat trouble, difficulty and
danger.
The Gar, on the contrary, like Great Britain,
ought 10 be rather favorable to peace. The po-
Icy pursued by Austria must have made
wonderful difference in the feeling q the Russian
court. Three hundred thousand men occupied
solely with the work of watching the Austrian
frontier, and needing at the least reinforcements
at the rate Of 10000 q year, are heavy drain
upon the imperial army; net TO speak of the
possibility OF defeat in the field and an Aus
trian advance on the Dneiper. Again, If the
siege of Sebastopol we're raised, and peace de-
clared, it is patent that the net results
of the campaign would he gain of pres
tge by the Russians and loss by the allies.
In this war the Russian officers have proved that
they knew their business as we'll as the French
and of course infinitely better than the English
carpet knights while the soldiers have con-
nrmed Their old reputation for courage. A
Russian fort has wiihstood the utmost efforts of
the English and French to take it, and by care
iui management and skill, the siege has cost
the Russians nothing more serious than the loss
Of few men-whch in Russia means nothing.
The ships are safe, the arsenals arc safe. the
forts stronger than ever. To borrow a fr,re
from henschikoff, General Badwea.ber. and
General Disease, and above all General Stnni.
dity-the only really efficient officer in the
British army--have done the work for ,ban