Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-04-10

gerent parties. They also give an account of
the formidable preparations making on all sides
for continuance of the war;
But, whilst these warlike exhibitions are pro-
crossing in and before Sebastopol, Congress,
composed Of tire po,eers. concerned IN tie ,ca,,
has been convened at Vienna for the purpose
OF negotiating peace. France, England, Aus.
trla, Turkey, and Russia are represented; but
Hussia does not appear to be embraced in
this important Congress of Nations. The cause
OF this omission is not assigned, although there
must be some substantial reason for it. The
first conference of the representatives Of the
five powers was held on the 18th March. Its
proceedings are given by the correspondent of
the London Times, as follows:
VIENNA, March l6.-As soon as the repre-
sentatives Of the Five Powers-France, Eng
land, Austria, Turkey, and Russia-had as.
aembled, their credentials were produced and
examined, and, when the preliminary ceremony
was over, Count Buol addressed conciiatory
speech to the other members of the Congress.
When Count Buol had ceased speaking, the
protocol of the 18th Of December was read,
and laid on the table, The memorandum Of
January 7th was then produced, and the Four
Points having been read, Prince Gortschakoff
and Nj. de Titoff were asked whether they were
prepared to treat on those bases A reply hav-
ing been given in the affirmative, the first of
the -Four Points was Immediately entered upon,
and it will probably be settled without any great
difficulty.
VIENNA, March l7.-Fron the positions
which they occupy some forty persons residing
IN this city must be exactly acquainted with
what passed at the Conference held on Thurs
day the 10Th, but secrecy is so strictly observed
by all the parties concerned, that the Vienna
public has hardly an inking of the present
state Of the Oriental question. In addition to
the information forwarded yesterday, it may be
stated that the first of the Four Points was ac-
cepted en- bloc by Prince Gortschakoff and M.
De Titoff. The first of the four bases on which
peace is to be negotiated, runs thus:
"Art |. Abolition Of the erclusice pyOtecto-
| rate Of Russia IN Moldauia and Wauachia, the
pri0itege accorded to these p,'oUinces by the Sui
tan being placed under the guarantee of the fce
poioers."
You will not fail to remark that mention is
made of Give Powers, and Prussia of course
was one of them. If the information given me
be correct, the point in question was accepted
without modification, and ifso it will be a con
vincing proof that Prussia has been treated by
the Allies with far greater consideration than
she has right to claim. The Conference
Ministers met again at one o'clock to-day. and
it is probable that after the protocol Of the pro-
| ceedings of Thursday has been duly examined
and signed, the second point, which relates to
the free navigation of the Danube, will be dis
cussed. You will probably expect me to give
some opinion as to the probable issue of the
Conferences, but nothing more can be said on
the subject than that the third point will pre-
sent almost insurmountable difficulties. After
the Conference Of the 18th Prince Gortschakoff
protested to be extremely satisfied with the
conciiatory spirit manifested by his political
opponents, but the Russians are willy race
and seem to think, with the late M. de Talley.
rand, that man has been gifted with speech by
his Creator in order TO be better able to conceal
his thoughts. 1t must be clearly understood
that the Congress did not enter into any details
relative to the future political position of the
Danubian principalites. The principle of the
abolition of the exclusive protectorate of Russia
and of the substitution of the guarantee of the
Powers has been recognised; and thus one Of
the four preliminaries of peace has been satisac-
torily disposed of. The word preliminary
has been used advisedly, because it does not
necessarily follow that peace will be restored
even If Russia accepts the four bases
VIENNA, March l8.-The second conference
began at one o'clock yesterday, but the second
of the four bases of peace was not brought for
ward, although the sitting lasted full three
hours. A protocol, containing an account of
what had occurred on the 18th, had been drawn
up by Baron Won Meysenburg, the secretary to
the conference, and it is supposed the nine
plenipotentiaries were occupied during the
whole sitting of yesterday in revising it. 1t is
possible that the political position of the Prin-
cipalities was touched on in general way, but
there is no reason to believe that any details
will be entered into until all the four points.
with the Interpretation given to them by the
Allies on the 28th Of December, have been
formally accepted by Russia. 1t is believed
that pacific feeling prevails in the British
Cabinet, but that France positively refuses to
make certain concessions, which are counselled
by Austria. That neither, the Earl of West.
msrland nor Lord John Russell buster and
speak big is natural, but the Russians, with
whom the foregoing report originated, will find
themselves previously mistaken if they sup
pose that England is more inclined to patch IN
the Oriental question than France The Aus
trian Brights and Sturges would fain induce the
WoTlu W ptHcNc tHdI the representatives OF the
Allied Powers are on such familiar footing
with Prince Gortschakoff and NJ de Titoff.
"that any future misunderstanding is highly
improbable" The truth of the matter is, that
the relations between the rival dipomatists are
what might be expected under the circum-
stances. The Austrian foreign-office is neutral
ground, and when the various Ministers meet
there, either by appointment or by chance, their
behavior to each other is that which is custom
airy between gentlemen. They treat each other
with politeness, but not with familiarity.
VIENNA, March l9.-Although the 6rst pro.
tocol was signed yesterday The first point is not
completely settled, and some matters connected
with the future position Of the Danubian prin-
cipalities will be taken into consideration dur
ing the Conference which is now lat 2 o'clock)
being held. The world will naturally be desi.
rous to learn what guarantees have been obtain
ed from Russia that she will not, when favor.
able opportunity presents ITSELF again seize the
two fertile Danubian provinces rs a material
guarantee" but it is likely that considerable
time will elapse before the contents of the va.
rious protocols become known. Reliable in